Olympics / Summer Olympics Jul 31, 2020
How the postponement ended the Olympic dreams of athletes
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Some athletes have chosen not to wait another year to participate in the delayed Tokyo Games.
Basketball May 24, 2019
After injury setbacks, Manami Fujioka, Sanae Motokawa enjoying chance to compete for national team
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Competition can be a blessing. Just ask Manami Fujioka and Sanae Motokawa. While they are getting into tough battles to compete for roster spots on Japan's 2020 Olympic roster, Fujioka and Motokawa are delighted to be running up and down the court at training camp for ...
Basketball Apr 25, 2018
Japan women's basketball team steadily gathering speed on road to Tokyo Olympics
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Despite the disadvantages in height and size, those involved in Japanese women's basketball believe Japan's women can reach their lofty goals by just executing their brand of basketball. The country's women's hoop team has achieved success over the last few years and last year was ...
Basketball Aug 18, 2017
Fujioka blossoming into star, leader
by Kaz Nagatsuka
There is probably nobody else that shines as brightly as Manami Fujioka does in Japanese women's basketball right now, and many believe that she has the potential to eventually transform into a superstar player. The 23-year-old largely contributed to Japan winning its third straight Asian ...
Basketball Jul 29, 2017
Japan's women's national team has continued its meteoric rise at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, beating 11-time champion China on Friday to set up a meeting with Australia in Saturday's final. All looked lost for Japan when China opened the first four minutes of the ...
Basketball Jul 25, 2017
Australia sends Japan to first loss of FIBA Women's Asia Cup
Japan suffered its first defeat of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup on Tuesday, losing a tight battle to Australia 83-74 and in the process missing a chance to finish atop Group B. After a competitive first half in Bangalore, India, the Australians locked in to ...
Basketball Jul 23, 2017
Japan blew out the Philippines by 51 points for a 106-55 win in its opening match of the Women's Asia Cup on Sunday. Keyed by 21 points from 22-year-old small forward Evelyn Mawuli, Japan broke the Filipinos' spirit early and was never challenged before closing ...
Basketball Apr 26, 2017
Fujioka building big reputation
by Kaz Nagatsuka
She is big, strong, tough, smart, and can do everything. Youngster Manami Fujioka could be the next floor leader and star guard for the Japan women's national basketball team. It's only been one year since she graduated from the University of Tsukuba, but Fujioka has already ...