Sports
Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu ready for worlds
Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu says he has recovered from an ankle injury and is ready to compete for the title at the world figure skating championships. "Before the season, I wasn't in what I would say was an ideal 100 percent," Hanyu told a news conference Tuesday, on the… Read
Opening day intrigue: Ichiro keeps 'em guessing about future
This is the Ichiro effect. Richard Snitzer had never been to Japan. What finally drove the Japanese-American to travel here from his home in Hayward, California, was Ichiro Suzuki; not family ties, not pure wanderlust, but a chance to see a player he called "simply the best." And get this.… Read
Amid hoopla around Ichiro and Mariners - A's are here, too
Amid all the hoopla surrounding Ichiro Suzuki's return to Japan with the Seattle Mariners, it's been easy to overlook something else: the Oakland Athletics are here, too. The A's are used to being seen as the also-rans, and even relish it. They were a playoff team last season — not… Read
Chelsea makes complaint to UEFA about racist abuse
Chelsea made a complaint to UEFA about racist abuse being aimed at one of its players by Dynamo Kiev fans during a Europa League match, the English club said Monday. The abuse — reportedly targeted at Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is black — took place near the end of… Read
Hanyu skips worlds practice, triggering fitness fears
Japan's "Ice Prince" Yuzuru Hanyu skipped training Monday ahead of this week's world figure skating championships, triggering fresh fitness fears over the Olympic champion. The 24-year-old, who retained his Olympic title last year after an injury-hit build-up, opted against an early morning practice in Saitama as he continues to recover… Read
Japan Olympic chief Takeda to announce resignation: sources
Tsunekazu Takeda, who is being investigated for corruption linked to Tokyo's 2020 Games bid, is set to announce his resignation as the president of the Japanese Olympic Committee on Tuesday, sources said. The 71-year-old has denied any wrongdoing in the bid process for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games but… Read
Olympic superfan Yamada dies with Tokyo 2020 dream unfulfilled
Olympic superfan Naotoshi Yamada, famous in Japan for having been to every Summer Games since 1964, has died aged 92 with an unfulfilled dream of watching the Olympics when it returns to Tokyo next year. Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on Monday that he died last week following heart failure. Yamada,… Read
Thiem edges Federer to win Indian Wells final; Andreescu takes women's title
Roger Federer came out playing like his legendary self. Dominic Thiem needed a set to adjust to what he was seeing across the net. Thiem went on to beat Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 and win the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, denying Federer a record sixth title in the desert.… Read
'Rookie' Kikuchi in spotlight in major league debut in Japan
Talk about a pressure situation. Just as he was adjusting to life in the United States, Yusei Kikuchi is back in Japan getting ready to make his major league pitching debut in front of a sellout crowd at Tokyo Dome. From his new teammates, to his Japanese fans to his… Read
Liverpool returns to top in Premier League; Brighton into FA Cup semis
A combination of goalkeeping errors and penalties earned Liverpool a return to the Premier League summit and Brighton a place in the FA Cup semifinals on Sunday. James Milner converted an 81st-minute spot kick — after two mistakes in a matter of seconds by Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico — to… Read
