Masuoka wins 2nd straight Dakar rally title

Masuoka wins 2nd straight Dakar rally title

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt - Mitsubishi driver Hiroshi Masuoka (in file photo) of Japan maintained his overnight lead at the 25th Dakar rally on Jan. 19, winning his second straight title in the grueling 8,552-kilometer race through Europe, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Masuoka's fortune twisted for the better the moment he climbed into the top of the four-wheel division standings when Mitsubishi teammate Stephane Peterhansel of France dropped from first to fourth overall for suspension problems the previous day.

Latvian Kiksis takes 4th straight in int'l keirin series

Latvian Kiksis takes 4th straight in int'l keirin series

MAEBASHI, Japan - Ainars Kiksis of Latvia throws up arms in joy after winning his fourth straight race in as many events in the seven-leg international keirin series on Maebashi velodrome track in Gunma Prefecture on April 25.

Speed skating: Kodaira at national single distance championships

Speed skating: Kodaira at national single distance championships

Photo shows Pyeongchang Olympic gold medalist Nao Kodaira of Japan en route to winning the women's 500-meter race of the national single distance championships in 37.30 seconds at M-Wave ice arena in Nagano Prefecture on Oct. 26, 2018. It was her fourth straight 500 victory at the annual meet. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Speed skating: Kodaira at national single distance championships

Speed skating: Kodaira at national single distance championships

Photo shows Pyeongchang Olympic gold medalist Nao Kodaira of Japan en route to winning the women's 500-meter race of the national single distance championships in 37.30 seconds at M-Wave ice arena in Nagano Prefecture on Oct. 26, 2018. It was her fourth straight 500 victory at the annual meet. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Speed skating: Kodaira at national single distance championships

Speed skating: Kodaira at national single distance championships

Photo shows Pyeongchang Olympic gold medalist Nao Kodaira of Japan en route to winning the women's 500-meter race of the national single distance championships in 37.30 seconds at M-Wave ice arena in Nagano Prefecture on Oct. 26, 2018. It was her fourth straight 500 victory at the annual meet. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Masuoka wins 2nd straight Dakar rally title

Masuoka wins 2nd straight Dakar rally title

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt - Mitsubishi driver Hiroshi Masuoka (in file photo) of Japan maintained his overnight lead at the 25th Dakar rally on Jan. 19, winning his second straight title in the grueling 8,552-kilometer race through Europe, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Masuoka's fortune twisted for the better the moment he climbed into the top of the four-wheel division standings when Mitsubishi teammate Stephane Peterhansel of France dropped from first to fourth overall for suspension problems the previous day. (Kyodo)

Latvian Kiksis takes 4th straight in int'l keirin series

Latvian Kiksis takes 4th straight in int'l keirin series

MAEBASHI, Japan - Ainars Kiksis of Latvia throws up arms in joy after winning his fourth straight race in as many events in the seven-leg international keirin series on Maebashi velodrome track in Gunma Prefecture on April 25.