Japan stuns United States to claim Olympic gold in softball's farewell
It was the first time the United States had failed to win the gold since softball was introduced in 1996, and their first defeat in 22 Olympic matches - a stretch dating back to Sydney 2000. Instead they settled for silver, with Australia taking bronze.
Yesterday Japan lost their semi-final to the United States but reached the gold medal game with a dramatic, 4-3, 12-inning victory over Australia.
Pitcher Yukiko Ueno showed no ill effects in a marathon two-day effort in which she threw a total of 21 innings. Asked what had carried her through fatigue, she said: "My strong belief to win."
With Japan leading 2-1 in the seventh inning, two crucial American errors allowed Megu Hirose to score a killer third run.
Yesterday Japan lost their semi-final to the United States but reached the gold medal game with a dramatic, 4-3, 12-inning victory over Australia.
Pitcher Yukiko Ueno showed no ill effects in a marathon two-day effort in which she threw a total of 21 innings. Asked what had carried her through fatigue, she said: "My strong belief to win."
With Japan leading 2-1 in the seventh inning, two crucial American errors allowed Megu Hirose to score a killer third run.
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