Japan Times: Sports

Cavs, LeBron take revenge on Magic

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:10:00 PST

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) LeBron James didn't storm off the court this time. Instead, he shook hands with teammates and anyone who offered, walking to the locker room slowly with an ever-so small grin.
He also departed Orlando with the most important thing this time: a win.

Nakayama determined to carry on

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:11:00 PST

IWATA, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Aging former national team striker Masashi Nakayama says he has lost none of his passion and is determined to continue his playing career after being deemed surplus to requirements at J. League first-division club Jubilo Iwata.
"As a player I still have strong passion and I still want to improve as a player. I would regret it if I quit the game now," the 42-year-old Nakayama told a press conference Thursday.

Griffey stays with Mariners for 2010

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:12:00 PST

SEATTLE (AP) Junior's back in Seattle, one more time.
Ken Griffey Jr. and the Mariners agreed Wednesday to another one-year contract that will keep the popular player in town for what could be his final season.

Red Wings blast 9 past Blue Jackets

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:13:00 PST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Columbus Blue Jackets were supposed to have learned something from their first playoff experience — a first-round sweep at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.
They still have a long way to go.

Chiyotaikai vows to keep fighting

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:14:00 PST

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Ozeki Chiyotaikai, who will be battling to avoid demotion from sumo's second-highest rank for a record 14th time in the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, said Thursday he will not retire even if he posts a losing record at the 15-day meet.
The Kokonoe stable veteran, however, said he will put an end to his career if he competes in the New Year tournament as a sekiwake and fails to win 10 bouts, the minimum requirement for promotion back to ozeki.

Surprise contributors provided major impact for Giants this season

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:15:00 PST

One year ago, outfielder Tetsuya Matsumoto appeared in just three games for the Yomiuri Giants. Pitcher Wirfin Obispo wasn't even a real member of the team.
Yet both played a big role in the club's most recent Japan Series victory, rising from relative obscurity to shine on the NPB's biggest stage.

Tyson involved in scuffle at airport

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:16:00 PST

LOS ANGELES (AP) Police are investigating conflicting accounts of an airport scuffle between Mike Tyson and a photographer that resulted in both men being booked and released on suspicion of misdemeanor battery.
The photographer told police that Tyson struck him once, airport police spokesman Sgt. Jim Holcomb said. The photographer fell to the ground and was treated for a cut to his forehead at a hospital.

Morimoto to remain with Fighters

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:17:00 PST

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters outfielder Hichori Morimoto said Thursday he has decided not to exercise his right for free agency and will remain with the Pacific League club.
The 28-year-old Morimoto will make ¥30 million less than he did this year in a one-year deal worth an estimated ¥80 million plus performance-related incentives.

Lowly Browns give Quinn another chance to start at QB

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:18:00 PST

BEREA, Ohio (AP) Brady Quinn and the Cleveland Browns are right back where they started.
Benched by coach Eric Mangini just 2 1/2 games and 69 pass attempts into the season, Quinn will start Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens, the team he was facing on Sept. 27 when the former Notre Dame star was yanked at halftime.

Staggered start makes it tough getting out of gate

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:19:00 PST

Before the dark days of the winter, the first five weeks of the season have essentially served as a dress rehearsal for the bj-league's 13 teams.
After all, only six men returned as coaches to the teams they guided in the 2008-09 season. Seven teams hired new floor bosses to start this season, including the expansion Kyoto Hannaryz, who are 3-5 entering the coming weekend.

Morigami's career ends after loss

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:20:00 PST

Akiko Morigami ended her career with a straight-sets defeat to Erika Takao in the women's singles quarterfinals at the national championships on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Morigami, who announced in October she would be retiring at the end of this season, fell 6-2, 6-2 to 2006 national champion Takao at Ariake Tennis Forest Park.

Germany in mourning over passing of Enke

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:21:00 PST

FRANKFURT (AP) Robert Enke, the Germany goalkeeper who was killed after throwing himself in front of a train, will be buried Sunday in a small ceremony near his home following a memorial service at the Hannover stadium.
Hannover spokesman Andreas Kuhnt said Thursday that the memorial service would be held Sunday morning, with the burial to follow near Neustadt, outside Hannover.

Federer flops again at Paris Masters

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:22:00 PST

PARIS (AP) Top-ranked Roger Federer lost to Julien Benneteau of France 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday, continuing his miserable run at the indoor event.
The 15-time Grand Slam champion has never been further than the quarterfinals in seven appearances.

Fukushima wins Asian sprint title

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:23:00 PST

GUANGZHOU, China (Kyodo) Chisato Fukushima fought a head-wind of 1.0 meters per second to win the women's 100 meters in 11.27 seconds at the Asian championships in Guangzhou on Wednesday.
Fukushima picked up her first 100-meter Asian title. Vu Thi Huong of Vietnam finished second in 11.50 and India's Hiriyur Manjunath Jyothi came third an additional 0.10 back.

Tiger tied for lead after opening 66

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:24:00 PST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Tiger Woods putted for birdie on every hole but the last one. He birdied all the par 5s. And the one time he took on one of the short par 4s at Kingston Heath, he came within inches of reaching the green.
It was just the kind of performance a massive crowd at the Australian Masters expected to see.