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Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 3, 2021

China's 'Iron Hammer' ready to defend women's volleyball crown at Tokyo Olympics

Defending gold, however, will not be easy for China, even with Zhu Ting, the 26-year-old ace regarded as one of the best volleyball players of all time.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jun 21, 2021

New Zealand's Laurel Hubbard to become first transgender Olympian

'I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders,” Hubbard said in a statement Monday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 16, 2021

'Twist Prince' Kenzo Shirai retires to focus on coaching

The 24-year-old, who has several original skills named after him in the vault and floor exercise, failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games during April's national apparatus championships.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 15, 2021

Richard McLaren to lead investigation into international boxing

'It is time for boxing to turn the page, but it cannot do so without a full accounting of any alleged misconduct,' said McLaren, who also led a famous investigation into Russian doping.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 9, 2021

Asanoyama's likely suspension shows change in JSA's decision-making

The ozeki's violation of COVID-19 protocols would easily have earned a forced retirement in the past.
Japan Times
EDITORIALS
Jun 5, 2021

Naomi Osaka shows what a real champion is made of

Osaka is an introvert with high expectations of herself and who battles anxiety and depression. Success and those earnings have not eliminated her unease.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 29, 2021

Dear Japan, the Olympics are a bureaucracy, not a democracy

While Tokyo could theoretically pull the plug right now — two months from the rescheduled start date — the city is contractually obliged to go ahead.
Japan Times
TENNIS
May 29, 2021

Naomi Osaka's plan to skip French Open news conferences met with both support and criticism

Naomi Osaka received support from several athletes on Thursday but was slammed by French Tennis Federation President Gilles Moretton.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
May 28, 2021

Ash Barty excited to make Olympic debut in Tokyo

Winning a Grand Slam is the ultimate goal for most tennis players, but Ash Barty says there is no greater honor than representing your country and the world No. 1 sees the Olympic Games as the pinnacle of sports.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
May 28, 2021

Female team ready to usher in new era at Indy 500

'Women didn't know it was for them and the few who did didn't have a lot of opportunity,' Paretta Autosport team owner Beth Paretta said.
Japan Times
TENNIS
May 25, 2021

Reduced human element turning tennis into esport, says Mats Wilander

As more tournaments around the world opt for electronic line-calling systems instead of human line judges, seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander says tennis is losing its intrigue and personality and is in danger of becoming an esport.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
May 8, 2021

Former weightlifter says women being told to 'be quiet' when complaining about transgender competitor

New Zealand's Laurel Hubbard is on track to become the first transgender athlete to compete at an Olympics.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
May 2, 2021

‘Tokyo Junkie’: Robert Whiting recounts a lifelong addiction to his adopted city

The author and longtime Japan resident tackles his hardest writing project ever — “interviewing himself” for a memoir on his life, the changing urban landscape and, of course, baseball.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 27, 2021

Yuki Kawamura hopes to emulate idol Isiah Thomas with Asics deal

The 19-year-old Tokai University point guard is the latest to join Asic's roster of advisors, which includes Japan stars Ryusei Shinoyama and Ramu Tokashiki.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Apr 27, 2021

Formula One to hold point-scoring sprint qualifying at three races

Formula One teams and bosses have agreed unanimously to debut a new point-scoring "sprint qualifying" at three races this season, two of them in Europe, the sport said on Monday.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 15, 2021

Japan urged to outlaw LGBTQ discrimination before Olympics

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition calling on the government to pass an equality law ahead of the games.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 8, 2021

Baseball deserves to lose its antitrust immunity

It never truly had any legitimate usefulness; the antitrust exemption, which no other professional sport enjoys, is as nonsensical a thing as exists in the law.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Apr 4, 2021

Badminton federation to vote on post-Olympics scoring system change

Badminton's world governing body will vote in May on a proposal to change the sport's scoring system after this year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, it said on Saturday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 17, 2021

Fall of Azumazeki stable represents tragic loss for professional sumo

Established in 1986 by former sekiwake Takamiyama, Azumazeki was the first heya in history to be run by a foreign-born stablemaster.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Mar 13, 2021

U.S. marathoners reflect on challenges of Olympic delay ahead of Tokyo Games

Molly Seidel, a Boston-based runner, spent the year learning to 'embrace the chaos.'
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Mar 9, 2021

Strong is beautiful for Tokyo weightlifting hopeful Sarah Davies

The 2018 Commonwealth Games 69-kg silver medalist and beauty pageant competitor hopes to serve as a role model both in the gym and on the stage.

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight