Yamaguchi defends title

Yamaguchi defends title

TOKYO, Japan - WBA super flyweight champion Naoko Yamaguchi of Japan (R) unleashes a punch against seventh-ranked Italian challenger Loredana Piazza in the second round of their bout at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on April 10, 2013. Yamaguchi defeated Piazza in the seventh round, successfully defending her crown for the second time.

Yamaguchi defends title

Yamaguchi defends title

TOKYO, Japan - WBA super flyweight champion Naoko Yamaguchi of Japan (R) strikes seventh-ranked Italian challenger Loredana Piazza in the third round of their bout at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on April 10, 2013. Yamaguchi defeated Piazza in the seventh round, successfully defending her crown for the second time.

Japanese marathon trio run together early in race

Japanese marathon trio run together early in race

SYDNEY, Australia - The Japanese women's marathon trio, billed as the strongest ever sent to the Olympics, run together early in the race at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney on Sept. 24. Left to right, eventual gold medalist Naoko Takahashi, Ari Ichihashi and Eri Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi finished the race in seventh place, Ichihashi 15th.

Japanese marathon trio meets press, Olympic mascots

Japanese marathon trio meets press, Olympic mascots

SYDNEY, Australia - Japan's strongest-ever collection of runners for the women's marathon pose with the Sydney Olympic mascots after a news conference Sept. 22. Seen L to R are Ari Ichihashi, Naoko Takahashi and Eri Yamaguchi. The women's marathon in the Games is set to begin at 9 a.m. (7 a.m. in Japan) on Sept. 24.

Japanese marathon trio meets press, Olympic mascots

Japanese marathon trio meets press, Olympic mascots

SYDNEY, Australia - Japan's strongest-ever collection of runners for the women's marathon pose with the Sydney Olympic mascots after a news conference Sept. 22. Seen L to R are Ari Ichihashi, Naoko Takahashi and Eri Yamaguchi. The women's marathon in the Games is set to begin at 9 a.m. (7 a.m. in Japan) on Sept. 24.

Four more named to Japan's six-member Olympic marathon squad

Four more named to Japan's six-member Olympic marathon squad

TOKYO, Japan - Naoko Takahashi (bottom R) and Takayuki Inubushi (top C) were named March 13 to Japan's six-member Olympic marathon squad along with Shinji Kawashima (top R) and Eri Yamaguchi (bottom C). The four will join Nobuyuki Sato (top L) and Ari Ichihashi (bottom L) who had been given tentative approval for the Olympic team last summer after winning medals in the athletics world championships in Spain.