In a dramatic flashback of the Beijing Olympics, Yukiko Ueno led Japan to a 10-inning, 2-1 victory over the United States on Sunday, ending its archrival's seven-year stranglehold on the title at the world championship.
Japan, which shut out Australia 2-0 in the elimination game earlier in the day after Team USA defeated Japan 3-1 Saturday to reach the final, won its first championship in 42 years and second overall.
With a runner on third and one out in the top of the 10th, Misa Okubo laid down a suicide squeeze for the winning run.