Sports

U.S. Soccer’s Acosta and his Japanese heritage

In Kellyn Acosta’s World Cup debut Nov. 21 against Wales, the midfielder fouled Wales player, Gareth Bale, to prevent him from scoring a winning goal and helped the United States Men’s National Team draw 1-1, Yahoo! reported. The U.S. Men’s National Team eventually got eliminated in the World Cup by the Netherlands Dec. 3. Acosta, […]

China fines former NBA star Lin over quarantine comments

BEIJING — Former NBA star Jeremy Lin, who plays for a Chinese team, was fined 10,000 yuan ($1,400) for criticizing quarantine facilities, China’s professional league and a news report said Dec. 2, as the government tries to stop protests against anti-virus controls that are among the world’s most stringent. Also Dec. 2, more cities eased […]

Hockey’s history shows handful of non-white pioneers

Taffy Abel carried the American flag at the 1924 Olympics, where his team won silver in hockey. Henry Elmer “Buddy” Maracle played 11 games in the early-1930s NHL. Paul Jacobs may have played in the league’s second season in 1918-19. But in the commonly known history of hockey, a predominantly white sport in North America […]

Santa Clara University point guard Ashley Hiraki, a hometown hoops hero

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Ashley Hiraki began playing in the Japanese American basketball leagues in the first grade for the San Jose Community Youth Service, and later, in the fifth grade, for the San Jose Ninjas. Now, the Santa Clara Broncos junior guard said her JA basketball experiences have helped her become a more well-rounded […]

Making JA coaching connections

In 2012, California State University, Fullerton Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jeff Harada met Kristin Iwanaga and Kerri Nakamoto, two Santa Clara University Women’s Basketball assistant coaches, at an Asian Coaches Association meeting at the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Final Four. They see “each other out recruiting at tournaments and games and would talk and […]

16-year veteran catcher Kurt Suzuki retires where he started

OAKLAND, Calif. — Concluding a 16-year major league career, Japanese American catcher Kurt Suzuki of the Los Angeles Angels caught his final pitch where his big league career started — at the Oakland Coliseum. Two weeks before the end of the season, the former All Star and 2019 World Series champion announced his retirement. He […]

Suzuki to retire after A’s series

ARLINGTON, Texas  — Veteran catcher Kurt Suzuki of the Angels said winning the World Series with Washington in 2019 was a big factor in the 38-year-old’s decision to retire after the season, the Associated Press reported Sept. 21. The 2014 All-Star, 38, said spending more time with his children was equally important. A native of […]

Nakashima takes first ATP Tour title at San Diego

SAN DIEGO  — Brandon Nakashima earned his first ATP Tour victory in his hometown, beating friend and fellow Southern Californian Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-4 on Sept. 25 in the San Diego Open final. “It’s super-special, something you dream of, but to have it happen in my hometown with all my friends and family here, it’s […]

Yankees, Japanese Americans square off against A’s

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Coliseum always seems to buzz with extra energy when the New York Yankees come to town. Their visit to Oakland to play the Athletics for a four-game set in late August was no exception, as attendance during the series was more than double the Oakland Coliseum’s average attendance. New York […]

10-year-old Japanese golfer closing in on 12th sponsor

EL CAJON, Calif. — Miroku Suto of Japan looks like a professional golfer with logos of 11 sponsors splashed across her polo shirt, cap, bag and even her belt. Her parents say the deals are worth in the mid-six figures annually, with some contracts for 10 years. A 12th sponsorship is waiting when she returns […]