YOKOHAMA, Japan — After stepping on second base for the final out, Japan shortstop Hayato Sakamoto felt awash with a new sensation. For so long, Japan had never achieved Olympic glory in a beloved sport. Leading into the gold medal game on Saturday at Yokohama Baseball Stadium, Sakamoto, 32, admitted he felt a lot of pressure. The last time baseball was in the Olympics, in 2008 in Beijing, Japan failed to even win a medal. “This Olympic Games is really special because we’re the hosting country and we have the frustration from the Beijing Olympics,” said Japan Manager Atsunori Inaba, 49, a former player on that 2008 national team.

Source: International New York Times August 07, 2021 19:52 UTC