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japantimes.co.jp

Thursday, Apr 18

12

Upstart Zelvia shows that, in the J. League, it’s anyone’s game

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Machida Zelvia are only eight games into their debut J1 season, but Go Kuroda’s men certainly haven’t been standing on ceremony since they arrived in the J. League’s top flight.

Former No. 1 Kento Momota retires from international badminton at 29

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Two-time world champion Kento Momota said Thursday he is retiring from international badminton at age 29, admitting he had never been the same since a serious car crash four years ago.

11

Osaka says 'no excuses' after defeat on clay return

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Naomi Osaka refused to blame a lengthy trip from Japan to France after losing in straight sets to Martina Trevisan in the first round of the WTA event Rouen on Wednesday.

How green are your trainers? Team Japan uniforms to have carbon footprint labels

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Japanese Olympians stepping up to the podium in Paris will have more than a medal to be proud of this summer. They'll also be able to take pride in the carbon footprint of their eco-friendly team uniforms.

Frankfurt's Japanese veteran Makoto Hasebe to retire at age 40

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Eintracht Frankfurt's former Japan defender 40-year-old Makoto Hasebe will hang up his boots and join the backroom staff at the end of the season, the German club said on Wednesday.

10

French Open the moment to 'give everything': Nadal after Barcelona defeat

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Rafael Nadal said the upcoming French Open will be the moment to "give everything and die" on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur on Wednesday.

08

Jazz owner Ryan Smith appears to confirm Coyotes' move to Utah

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Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith all but confirmed the worst-kept secret in hockey on Wednesday: He is set to purchase the Arizona Coyotes and move them to Salt Lake City.

05

Real Madrid exact revenge on Man City to reach Champions League semis

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Real Madrid exacted revenge on Manchester City to reach the Champions League semifinals 4-3 on penalties after withstanding a barrage at the Etihad on Wednesday.

04

LeBron, Curry and Durant head U.S. Olympic 'Dream Team'

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LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant will spearhead a star-studded United States Olympic basketball squad chasing a fifth straight gold medal at this summer's Paris Games, officials announced Wednesday.

Wednesday, Apr 17

15

Ulsan edges Yokohama in Asian Champions League semifinal opener

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South Korea's Ulsan claimed a slender lead in its Asian Champions League semifinal with a 1-0 win over Harry Kewell's Yokohama F. Marinos in Wednesday's first leg.

11

Japanese NFL hopeful gets dream chance on football field in U.K.

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Ryoma Shimoseki jumped at the opportunity to play football in the U.K. at no cost. It felt too good to be true — so much so that his mother worried he was being scammed.

05

PSG exorcise old ghosts as Mbappe keeps Champions League dream alive

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Paris Saint-Germain's emphatic victory over Barcelona on Tuesday keeps alive the French club's dream of ending the Kylian Mbappe era by lifting the Champions League trophy at Wembley in June.

Did three African runners let a Chinese runner win a race in Beijing?

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After a grueling hour, there was little to separate the four runners as the finish line approached. But then, one extended his hand toward another and gestured, as if waving him forward. Seconds later, another runner did the same.

Caitlin Clark helps WNBA obliterate previous draft viewership mark

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The Caitlin Clark experience delivered another television milestone as ESPN's coverage of the WNBA draft on Monday night averaged a record 2.45 million viewers.

04

James and Curry among U.S. NBA stars set for Paris Olympics: reports

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LeBron James and Stephen Curry are among the NBA stars set for the Paris Olympics, with U.S. selectors settled on a 12-man roster rounded out on Tuesday with Kawhi Leonard, ESPN reported.

Tuesday, Apr 16

10

Former All Blacks coach Foster makes Japan move

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Former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster will join Japan's Toyota Verblitz next season, the club said Tuesday, reuniting him with Steve Hansen.

05

Pride and hype as F1 roars back to China after COVID-19 absence

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Two years ago, the Shanghai International Circuit hosted a COVID-19 hospital, but this weekend it will stage Formula One once more as the sport returns to China for the first time since the pandemic.

04

Stadiums rise at Paris landmarks ahead of Olympics

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In front of the Eiffel Tower, stands are emerging from a tangle of scaffolding, while at the historic Place de la Concorde, forklift trucks buzz around carrying building materials.

Murray will not have surgery on injured ankle

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Andy Murray will not undergo surgery on the ankle he injured at the Miami Open last month, but no timeline has been given for his return, the BBC reported on Monday.

Indiana Fever select Clark with first pick of WNBA Draft

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Iowa sharpshooter Caitlin Clark ascended to the professional ranks on Monday, going first overall to the Indiana Fever in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft after a record-breaking collegiate career.

Monday, Apr 15

11

Akebono's human side eclipsed his incredible sumo achievements

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Talk to anyone personally acquainted with recently deceased former yokozuna Akebono and almost immediately the words “generous” and “kind” will arise.

10

Caitlin Clark leads way as top star in intriguing WNBA Draft

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Two decades have passed since a pro basketball draft attracted so much in the way of hoopla, headlines and hope.

07

Paris' Olympic flame to be lit in Greece

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Nearly 100 days before the 2024 Paris Games open, the Olympic flame will be lit in ancient Olympia on Tuesday for a torch relay stretching from the Acropolis to French Polynesia.

05

Mikel Arteta challenges Arsenal to 'show character' after title hopes take hit

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Mikel Arteta urged his wounded Arsenal stars to show character and leadership after their Premier League title challenge suffered a blow in a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday.

04

Dominant Scottie Scheffler finishes strong to claim second Masters title

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Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler dominated a back-nine shootout to capture his second Masters title with a four-stroke victory at Augusta National on Sunday.

Ohtani’s dizzying three weeks end in exoneration by authorities

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In the clubhouse after the Los Angeles Dodgers won their season opener in Seoul, South Korea, last month, Shohei Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, made a stunning admission to the team: He was a gambling addict, and Ohtani had…

Saturday, Apr 13

13

Osaka wants to play at Paris Olympics 'if they let me'

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Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka said Saturday that she "would love to play" at this year's Paris Olympics if she is granted a spot by tennis chiefs.

11

Osaka not needed as Japan reaches BJK Cup finals for first time

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Naomi Osaka didn't need to play after teammate Nao Hibino sent Japan to its first Billie Jean King Cup finals Saturday with an unassailable 3-0 qualifying lead over Kazakhstan.

09

Ohtani matches Hideki Matsui's homer mark and collects 1,000th professional hit

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Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani slugged his 175th career home run in Major League Baseball on Friday, matching the record for a Japanese player in the major leagues held by Hideki Matsui.

04

Ohtani's ex-interpreter issues apology after release on $25,000 bond

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Japanese baseball great Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter was released on bond and apologized through a lawyer after appearing in court on a bank fraud charge accusing him of stealing $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to cover…