Sports
Construction of stadium for 2020 Tokyo Olympics completed at cost of ¥157 bil
Construction work has been completed at Tokyo's National Stadium, set to be the centerpiece of next year's Olympic Games, the site's owners said on Tuesday. The Japan Sports Council said the final work had been completed on Thursday with just the final quality and safety checks remaining before the stadium… Read
Tsutsugo made available to MLB team by Yokohama
Outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo has been made available to major league teams through the posting process by Yokohama of Japan's Central League. Major league clubs have until 5 p.m. on Dec 19 to negotiate with Tsutsugo, who turns 28 on Nov 26. A corner outfielder, Tsutsugo hit .272 this year with… Read
Olympic marathon could start, finish at Sapporo’s Odori Park
The Tokyo Olympic marathons and race walks, moved last month to the northern city of Sapporo to avoid the capital’s summer heat, are likely to start and finish in the city’s Odori Park. Tokyo organizers met with city prefectural officials on Monday. In a statement, organizers said they are also… Read
Olympic robot mascots thrill Tokyo students
Robot versions of Japan's Olympic and Paralympic mascots thrilled hundreds of school children in Tokyo on Monday, striking sporting poses and displaying hearts in their electronic eyes. The event at a local elementary school was billed as a chance to showcase some of the technology Japan hopes will wow visitors… Read
Scotland set to be first opponents of world champions Springboks
Scotland are set to be the first opponents of new world champions South Africa, with tests in the republic on July 4 and 11. Although SA Rugby have not confirmed who they will host in a mid-year series, a source told AFP that "Scotland are coming for two matches during… Read
Airbnb partners with the IOC to provide Olympic accommodation
Short-term home rental company Airbnb Inc on Monday said it was becoming a worldwide Olympic partner in time for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as the games' organizers bid to cut the costs associated with hosting the event. Airbnb said that the partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would… Read
Danes, Swiss through to Euro 2020 as rampant Italy hit nine
Denmark and Switzerland secured spots at Euro 2020 at the expense of the Republic of Ireland on Monday as Roberto Mancini's Italy completed a perfect qualifying campaign by scoring nine. Ireland needed to beat Denmark in Dublin to clinch qualification for next year's 24-team European Championship finals, but Matt Doherty's… Read
Joseph to take Japan to next Rugby World Cup
Jamie Joseph said Monday he will stay on as head coach of Japan through the next Rugby World Cup in 2023, a decision that rules him out of the vacant All Blacks coaching role. Joseph, who led Japan to their first World Cup quarterfinal last month, said in a statement:… Read
Tsitsipas beats Thiem in 3 sets to win ATP Finals title
Stefanos Tsitsipas rallied to beat Dominic Thiem 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-6 (4) on Sunday to become the youngest ATP Finals champion in 18 years and collect the biggest title of his career. The 21-year-old Greek bounced back from dropping a tight first set in the final by racing out to… Read
Verstappen wins Brazilian GP; Ferraris self-destruct
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won Formula One’s Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday for his eighth career victory in a race which ended disastrously for both Ferrari drivers. It also finished badly for six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes who caused Red Bull’s Alexander Albon to spin near the end.… Read
