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 Andrew MCKIRDY

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Andrew MCKIRDY
Andrew McKirdy is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His main beat is soccer, but he has also covered rugby, tennis, volleyball, golf and even tug-of-war. A native of the Scottish Borders, he has written for The Scotsman newspaper and organized filming for a program on Japanese soccer for ITV television.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 20, 2016
Four-time Olympic gold medal-winner Icho awarded People's Honor
Four-time Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler Kaori Icho was awarded the People's Honor Award by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 20, 2016
IOC chief Bach vows 'very significant reduction' in cost of Tokyo 2020 Games
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach vowed Thursday to produce "a very significant reduction in costs" for the 2020 Tokyo Games, which he predicts will bring "a transformational moment for all of Japan."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 19, 2016
IOC president rejects Koike's calls to expand new Olympic cost-cutting group
Thomas Bach turns aside the Tokyo governor's suggestion to expand a group set up Tuesday to review rising costs for the games.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 15, 2016
Reds capture J. League Cup
Urawa Reds claimed their first trophy since 2007 after beating Gamba Osaka 5-4 on penalties to lift the J. League Cup following a 1-1 draw in Saturday's final.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 14, 2016
Rugby chief fears Olympics leaving 2019 World Cup in shade
World Rugby chief Brett Gosper admits he is concerned that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are shunting the 2019 Rugby World Cup into the shadows just three years before Japan hosts the event.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 12, 2016
Miyagi governor bullish on hosting Olympic events
The prefecture's leader, despite a u2018negative' meeting with the 2020 Games' organizing committee, expresses confidence.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Oct 9, 2016
Kyrgios overcomes rough start against Goffin en route to Japan Open title
Big-serving Australian Nick Kyrgios came back from a set down to capture the Japan Open title with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Belgium's David Goffin in Sunday's final.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Oct 8, 2016
Goffin, Kyrgios roll into Japan Open final
Belgium's David Goffin set up a Japan Open final showdown with Australian Nick Kyrgios after beating Croatia's Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-4 in Saturday's semifinal.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Oct 7, 2016
Crafty Kyrgios conquers Muller, advances to Japan Open semis
Australian world No. 15 Nick Kyrgios showcased the full range of his mercurial talents to reach the Japan Open semifinals with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Luxembourg's Gilles Muller on Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 7, 2016
800,000 people crowd Tokyo to celebrate Olympians, Paralympians
An estimated 800,000 spectators thronged the streets of Tokyo on Friday to celebrate Japan's Rio Olympic and Paralympic medal-winning athletes in an open-top parade.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Oct 7, 2016
Halilhodzic toasts Japan after dramatic win over Iraq
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic believes his players "deserve two glasses of champagne" after Thursday's dramatic 2-1 World Cup-qualifying win over Iraq, but warned they will have to sharpen up at set pieces before they take on Australia on Tuesday.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 6, 2016
Birthday boy Yamaguchi lifts Japan with dramatic late goal against Iraq
Substitute Hotaru Yamaguchi volleyed in an injury-time winner to jolt Japan's bid to reach a sixth straight World Cup into life with a 2-1 victory over Iraq on Thursday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Oct 5, 2016
Match-rusty Japan left with little margin for error in qualifiers
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic last week bridled at suggestions that he is making excuses for Japan's underwhelming start to the final round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers. But there will be no place to hide if the Samurai Blue slip further off the pace after games against Iraq and Australia over...
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 2, 2016
Reds stroll past Gamba
Urawa Reds moved top of the overall J. League table and exorcized a few demons along the way with a 4-0 win over Gamba Osaka on Saturday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Sep 28, 2016
Second-stage title hopefuls battling for playoff berth
Kawasaki Frontale and Urawa Reds joined Kashima Antlers in clinching a place in the J. League Championship last Sunday, but this weekend's action will go a long way toward deciding if any more teams join them.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Sep 25, 2016
Wozniacki halts Osaka's run in Pan Pacific Open final
Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki denied teenage sensation Naomi Osaka her first title on the WTA Tour with a 7-5, 6-3 win in the Pan Pacific Open final on Sunday.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Sep 23, 2016
Osaka bests Sasnovich, advances to semifinals
Rising teenage star Naomi Osaka reached her first-ever semifinal on the WTA Tour after conquering her demons in a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) win over Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich at the Pan Pacific Open on Friday.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Sep 21, 2016
Overpowering Osaka eliminates Cibulkova
Teenage sensation Naomi Osaka claimed her biggest scalp to date after beating world No. 12 Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-1 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Sep 20, 2016
J. League chairman denies single-stage return a done deal
J. League chairman Mitsuru Murai on Tuesday denied that the league has already decided to return to a single-stage format from next season but confirmed that the idea is under consideration.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Sep 17, 2016
Reds rally past FC Tokyo, reduce Frontale's lead at top of table
Urawa Reds cut Kawasaki Frontale's lead at the top of the overall J. League table to two points after coming from behind to beat FC Tokyo 3-1 on Saturday.

Longform

A store clerk tries to cool things down in front of their shop by spraying a hose.
Is extreme weather changing the way Japan shops?