Tennis: Japanese wheelchair star Oda savors Wimbledon atmosphere
The 19-year-old world No. 1 secured his sixth Grand Slam with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 comeback victory over defending champion and host-nation favorite Alfie Hewitt.
"This tournament is different from the other tournaments," Oda said. "It's so beautiful and everything is different. I like to play with the white shirts -- everything is special for me. Motivation before the matches is definitely different, so I really appreciate this moment."
Having faced Hewitt in 16 previous finals and winning 10, Oda reclaimed the Wimbledon men's wheelchair singles crown he first won by defeating the Briton in 2023.
"I love to play in the big stadium," Oda said. "Maybe 100 percent of the people were cheering for Alfie, but I really enjoyed that moment."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kyodo News
28 minutes ago
- Kyodo News
Football: English champions Liverpool beat Marinos on Japan return
YOKOHAMA - Liverpool came from behind to beat Yokohama F Marinos 3-1 in an international club friendly on Wednesday, claiming victory in the English Premier League champions' first game in Japan in 20 years. Their red-clad fans outnumbered those in the hosts' blue at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, the hometown of Japan captain and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, with a packed crowd of 67,032 on hand for the Reds' first visit to the country since the 2005 Club World Championship. Prior to the game, fans gathered at a corner outside the venue to write farewell messages to Liverpool player Diogo Jota, who died along with his younger brother in a car crash on July 3 in northwestern Spain. "I was so shocked when I heard the news," said 21-year-old Genki Urata, a supporter of both Liverpool and his local club Marinos, who wore a Jota No. 20 shirt he bought two years ago. "I definitely want them to come back again next year, although I'm thinking about going to Anfield too. Today, of course I'm supporting Liverpool." Liverpool all-time top scorer Ian Rush delivered a tribute to Jota before the kick-off, followed by fans joining in a chant for the former Portugal forward. Marinos attacker Jun Amano grabbed early attention with a volley that went off target, before nutmegging Ryan Graveberch in the middle of the park, while Cody Gakpo curled a low shot onto the right post in the ninth minute for Liverpool. Fans once again paid respect to Jota by applauding in the 20th minute, in acknowledgement of his shirt number. Liverpool debutant Hugo Ekitike had a backheel saved before the best chance of the half fell to J1 strugglers Marinos, whose status as one of the only two clubs never to be relegated since the launch of the J-League in 1993, alongside Kashima Antlers, is in jeopardy this year. A two-man counter in the 40th minute saw Yan Matheus' chipped cross finding Dean David, whose stooping header drew a diving save from keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Asahi Uenaka and Darwin Nunez missed chances at either end early in the second half, before the Marinos attacker opened the scoring in the 55th minute, low off the post, after latching on to a fine through ball from Riku Yamane. Endo entered on the hour-mark to replace Virgil van Dijk, taking the captain's armband, and Liverpool leveled two minutes later when Curtis Jones launched a counter and provided a tiny touch off Mohamed Salah's pass to allow big summer signing Florian Wirtz to score. Trey Nyoni put Liverpool ahead in the 68th minute as he stretched his leg out to meet Jeremie Frimpong's cross to the far post, while a header by Endo in the 77th minute was followed by his Liverpool chant sung by Japanese fans. Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when he ran the entire opposition half before slotting home low, a timely showing of his talent on the left wing following the departure of Luis Diaz.
Asahi Shimbun
11 hours ago
- Asahi Shimbun
MLB/ A rare first for Ohtani: Dodgers superstar strikes out in his first 4 plate appearances
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, turns to walk to the dugout as Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino tags Othani out after dropping the third strike during the first inning of a baseball game on July 29 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo) CINCINNATI--Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani had another first in his MLB career. Ohtani struck out in his first four plate appearances Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds, the first time he has done that in his eight seasons in the majors. It is the sixth time the Japanese superstar and reigning NL MVP has struck out four times in a game. It is the second time this season, with the other coming against San Diego on June 17. Against the Seattle Mariners on July 17, 2021, while playing for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani popped up to the shortstop in his first at-bat and then struck out in his next four times at the plate. Cincinnati's Nick Lodolo became the 13th pitcher to strike out Ohtani three times in a game. The Reds left-hander got Ohtani to chase a curveball out of the strike zone in the first and fifth innings and got him looking on a 94.6 mph fastball in the third. Graham Ashcraft then whiffed Ohtani on an inside slider in the seventh. Ohtani was one strike away from his first five strikeout game before he flew out to right field on a 2-2 count in the ninth inning of a 4-4 game. Ohtani came into the game on a nine-game hitting streak along with leading the majors with 100 runs scored. He is atop the NL in slugging (.620), total bases (254), OPS (1.001) and 38 home runs.
Japan Today
11 hours ago
- Japan Today
A rare first for Ohtani: Dodgers superstar strikes out in his first 4 plate appearances
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani walks to the dugout after striking out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) baseball By JOE REEDY Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani had another first in his MLB career. Ohtani struck out in his first four plate appearances Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds, the first time he has done that in his eight seasons and 981 games in the majors. Against the Seattle Mariners on July 17, 2021, while playing for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani popped up to the shortstop in his first at-bat and then struck out in his next four times at the plate. Despite Ohtani's tough night at the plate, the Dodgers rallied for a 5-4 victory on an RBI double by Will Smith in the ninth inning. 'Tonight, I just don't think he saw (Cincinnati starter Nick) Lodolo well at all, clearly. And I think he just got into swing mode," manager Dave Roberts said. "When he's (at his) best, he's getting the baseball up, and he's using the big part of the field. And especially in this ballpark where he doesn't need to go to right field. But tonight, just one of those nights that he just couldn't help him help himself from swinging.' Ohtani came into the game on a nine-game hitting streak, where he had gone 11 for 36 with six home runs 13 RBIs and nine runs scored. It is the sixth time the Japanese superstar and reigning NL MVP has struck out four times in a game. It is the second time this season, with the other coming against San Diego on June 17. Lodolo became the 13th pitcher to strike out Ohtani three times in a game. The Reds left-hander got Ohtani to chase a curveball out of the strike zone in the first and fifth innings, and got him looking on a 94.6 mph fastball in the third. 'I was going right after him. I definitely threw some good heaters in some good spots and I was able to spin the ball well too as well,' Lodolo said. Graham Ashcraft then whiffed Ohtani on an inside slider in the seventh. Ohtani was one strike away from his first five strikeout game before he flew out to right field on a 2-2 count in the ninth inning of a 4-4 game. Smith was the next batter and delivered the game-winning hit. Ohtani still leads the majors with 100 runs scored. He is atop the NL in slugging (.612), total bases (254), OPS (.989) and 38 home runs. Roberts hopes Ohtani is more disciplined at the plate in the series finale Wednesday night because Nick Martinez is the same type of pitcher as Lodolo. 'Martinez is gonna be nibbling, and it's going to be cutter and changeup down below. And he's got to get back to the big part of the field and not chase down below,' Roberts said. Ohtani will also be making his seventh pitching start of the season on Wednesday as the Dodgers look for him to go four innings as he comes back from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2023. Ohtani is 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
