Eight teams remain in the hunt for the coveted World Lacrosse Women’s Championship title.
At the conclusion of pool play on Tuesday, July 28, there were four unbeaten teams in the 16-nation tournament: United States, Canada, England and Israel.
Haudenosaunee, Australia, Puerto Rico and Japan all clinched quarterfinal berths by posting 2-1 records in pool play.
Team USA, the four-time reigning world champion, has scored the most goals (63) so far in the 10-day lacrosse tournament. The Americans recorded 18-5, 22-5 and 20-2 victories in succession over Pool A opponents Ireland, Haudenosaunee and Taiwan.
Japan midfielder Megan Kitagawa competes against Philippines defender Daryl Cross in the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship first round on July 26 at Oi Hockey Stadium. (©WORLD LACROSSE)
Japan’s Path to the Lacrosse Tournament Quarterfinals
After earning a tourney-opening 21-5 win over the Czech Republic on Friday, July 24 at Tokyo’s Oi Hockey Stadium, Japan rallied for a 9-7 victory over the Philippines on Sunday.
Against the Philippines, Japan outscored the visitors 3-0 in the fourth quarter.
Japan’s Kokoro Nakazawa, assisted by her sister Negai Nakazawa, scored a pivotal goal with 10 minutes remaining to make it 7-7. Attacker Monika Jones added the go-ahead goal for Japan. Jones then netted the final goal with 1:50 remaining against the Philippines.
Japan trailed 6-3 at halftime and 7-6 entering the fourth quarter.
Jones led Japan with three goals and Kokoro Nakazawa had two.
On Monday night, Israel defeated Japan 11-9 in the teams’ final pool play contest.
The match was tied at the end of the third quarter, and Israel had a pair of goals ― Sam Fisher scored at the 9:54 mark and Jordyn Lipkin tallied with 1:51 to play ― in the final stanza to pick up the win.
Quarterfinal Pairings
On Wednesday, England faces Haudenosaunee and Israel takes on Australia. Both matches begin at 3:30 PM on Field 2 and Field 1, respectively.
The United States meets Puerto Rico in a 6:30 PM match on Field 2, while the Canada-Japan clash gets underway at 7 PM on Field 2.
On Friday, the semifinals will be held at Prince Chichibu Stadium. The third-place match and championship final are set for Sunday at the same venue.
Additional placement matches are on top for Thursday and Saturday. (Check out the full schedule.)
Israel’s Jordyn Lipkin in action against Japan’s Negai Nakazawa on July 27. (©WORLD LACROSSE)
Did You Know?
Heading into the quarterfinals, Lipkin has a tournament-best 12 goals. Canada’s Morris Kassidy and Chloe Humphrey of the United States have scored 10 apiece.
Kokoro Nakazawa is one of six lacrosse players with nine goals.
Akhsay More (©WBSC)
Baseball
Lions Make History by Signing Indian Pitcher More
The Saitama Seibu Lions signed 22-year-old pitcher Akhsay More on Monday, July 27.
He became the first Indian-born player to sign a contract with an NPB team, according to published reports.
Prior to finalizing a developmental contract with the Pacific League club, More competed on India’s Lovely Professional University baseball team. He’s also placed second in the Indiana National Judo Championships.
How did More capture the Lions’ attention?
At a June tryout, the right-hander dazzled Lions scouts “with his athleticism, fastball that reaches 150 kph and advanced repertoire that includes a splitter, sinker, changeup and curveball,” the World Baseball Softball Confederation website reported.
The 194-cm More is excited about the opportunity that lies ahead.
“I am deeply grateful to the Lions for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” More said in a team-issued statement.
He added, “I will do my best to contribute to the team’s victories while learning as much as I can from my teammates and coaches. I will continue to work hard every day, never forgetting to be humble, and grow into a player the fans can trust. I look forward to the day I can meet you all.”
Miyauchi Signs with University of Arkansas
Pitcher Shogo Miyauchi has signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
Miyauchi, a Chukyo University Senior High School graduate, is expected to begin his college career at the University of Arkansas in August.
The 196-cm Miyauchi is set to become the first Japanese baseball player to make the jump directly from high school to a Southeastern Conference school.
Razorbacks head coach Dave Van Horn expressed enthusiasm while discussing Miyauchi’s upcoming move to Arkansas.
“I’m excited to get him on campus,” Van Horn was quoted as saying by the Best of Arkansas Sports website on Tuesday, July 28. “Let’s see what he can do. I don’t want him to feel a lot of pressure ― just come in and be one of the guys and get better and help us and we’ll help him.”
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Badminton
Yamaguchi Wins China Open Singles Title
Veteran star Akane Yamaguchi defeated top-ranked Yu Fei Chen 21-18, 21-16 in the China Open women’s singles final on Sunday, July 26.
In Changzhou, China, Yamaguchi reached the singles final in her sixth consecutive tournament.
“I don’t think I’m at my absolute best yet but I do think I’m in very good form,” the three-time world champion said after the China Open semifinals, according to the Badminton World Federation World Tour website.
Yamaguchi improved to 24-14 against Chen in singles matches.
Badminton standout Akane Yamaguchi in a 2020 file photo. (©SANKEI)
Also in 2026, Yamaguchi won singles titles at the Thailand Open and the Australian Open.
In the women’s doubles final in Changzhou, China’s Shengshu Liu and Ning Tan beat Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto 21-14, 21-19.
Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed’s [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ï¼ ed_odeven.
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