Nick Mulvenney - The Japan Times

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Nick Mulvenney

Australia's Jackson Irvine (right) scores a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification football match between China and Australia at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China on Tuesday.

SOCCER

Mar 26, 2025

China's World Cup dream on life support after Australia loss

The 1-0 loss to the Saudis in Riyadh last week and Tuesday's 2-0 reverse at the hands of the Socceroos put paid to hopes of direct qualification.

The International Olympic Committee's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland

OLYMPICS

Mar 14, 2025

Olympians make climate plea to IOC presidential candidates

Seven candidates are vying to replace Thomas Bach as president in a ballot of IOC members at Costa Navarino, Greece, on March 20.

Former Greece manager Gus Poyet gestures during a Euro 2024 qualifying match against The Netherlands on Sep. 7, 2023. Poyet is now in charge of South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors.

SOCCER

Mar 12, 2025

Poyet unleashes on Asian soccer bosses ahead of Sydney tie

The Jeonbuk Motors coach railed against the selection of match officials, the use of VAR and a forced change of venue after Jeonbuk's pitch was ruled sub-par.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (right) drives with the ball as Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center in Houston on March 8.

BASKETBALL

Mar 11, 2025

New Orleans Pelicans to play in Australia's first NBA games

The Pelicans will play the NBL's Melbourne United on Oct. 3 and South East Melbourne Phoenix two days later at Melbourne Park

All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett takes a selfie with children at an event in Yokohama on Nov. 28, 2017.

MORE SPORTS / Rugby

Feb 6, 2025

Beauden Barrett wants Japan back in expanded Super Rugby

"I'd love to see the Japanese become part of the competition," Barrett said. "I feel like we need to grow the competition and in that respect, that would be great."

China's Zheng Qinwen reacts after winning the first set of her first round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday.

TENNIS

Jan 12, 2025

Rusty Zheng into second round as Grand Slam tennis returns to Melbourne

The fans were sent scurrying for cover inside the first hour when a dramatic thunderstorm swept across the area.

Tournament Director Stephen Farrow (far left) and others pose with United Cup trophy at the draw for the competition in Sydney on Oct. 21.

TENNIS

Oct 22, 2024

United Cup is here to stay, says tournament director

The tournament kicks off its third edition in Perth on Dec. 27, just 33 days after the Davis Cup finals conclude in Spain.

Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates the match point against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.

TENNIS

Jan 23, 2024

Gauff survives Kostyuk test to reach Australian Open semis

"I'm really proud of the fight I showed today, Marta's a tough opponent, every time we play it's a tough match," Gauff said.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka hits a return against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko during their third round match on Friday at the Australian Open.

TENNIS

Jan 19, 2024

No handshakes as Belarus' Sabalenka downs Ukraine's Tsurenko

The match was a one-sided affair, as Sabalenka ruthlessly handed the 28th seed Tsurenko a dreaded "double bagel" in 52 minutes.

David Warner walks off the pitch in his final test cricket match on Saturday in Sydney.

MORE SPORTS / Cricket

Jan 6, 2024

Entertainer Warner bows out of cricket test game a winner

Australia opener David Warner said he hoped to be remembered as an entertainer after retiring from cricket's longest format at his home ground in the wake of a third test victory over Pakistan on Saturday.

Chile's Joaquin Niemann (left) and Japan's Rikuya Hoshino line up their putts during a playoff on the final day of the Australian Open in Sydney on Sunday.

MORE SPORTS / Golf

Dec 3, 2023

Niemann tops Hoshino in Australian Open playoff

South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai retained the title in the women's Australian Open, being played in parallel on the same course.

South African players celebrate with the Webb Ellis Cup after their win over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday.

MORE SPORTS / Rugby

Oct 29, 2023

Springboks hold off 14-man All Blacks to win World Cup

South Africa produced a magnificent defensive display to edge New Zealand 12-11 and win their fourth title.

France's head coach Fabien Galthie (top, center) stands with his players ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between France and South Africa in Saint-Denis, France, on Sunday.

MORE SPORTS / Rugby

Oct 16, 2023

France coach Galthie has no regrets over defeat to South Africa

Fabien Galthie's first thoughts after the 29-28 defeat were for the fans who had supported the team so vociferously.

Portugal's historic Rugby World Cup win in Toulouse, France, on Sunday, was a reminder of the challenges Tier 2 nations face in the sport.

MORE SPORTS / Rugby

Oct 10, 2023

Mind the gap! Rugby's Tier 2 nations want more and better fixtures

Despite providing some moving moments at the Rugby World Cup in France, the sport's minnows are far away from being able to upstage established teams.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

The sun shines from behind a waving Philippine flag at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

Eighty years after the Battle of Manila, old foes forge new ties

By Anton L. Delgado

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Yamagata’s Zao Onsen Ski Resort is a classic beauty

Yamagata’s Zao Onsen Ski Resort is a classic beauty

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