Japanese skiing pioneer Miura dies at 101
January 5, 2006Well-known Japanese skiing pioneer Keizo Miura died of multiple organ failure Thursday morning at a Tokyo hospital, his family said. He was 101. Miura skied down the Mont Blanc glacier in France in February 2003 at age 99 together with his eldest son Yuichiro, also known as an adventure skier, and his grandson Yuta. ==Kyodo
Award: Asashoryu named most valuable athlete for 2nd straight year
January 5, 2006Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu on Thursday was named the most valuable athlete in Japanese professional sports in 2005 for the second year in a row. The Japan Professional Sports Association selected Asashoryu for the award after he became the first wrestler in sumo history to win all six meets in a year and posted a record-breaking 84 wins in the elite makuuchi division.
Baseball: Rangers announce acquisition of Japanese pitcher Otsuka
January 5, 2006The Texas Rangers said Wednesday they have finalized a six-player trade with the San Diego Padres involving Japanese right-handed setup man Akinori Otsuka. The Rangers acquired Otsuka, right-handed starter Adam Eaton and minor league catcher Billy Killian in exchange for pitcher Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Terrmel Sledge.