Rugby: Japan to launch bid to host 2015 World Cup
January 7, 2006The Japan Rugby Football Union said Saturday it will launch a bid to hold the 2015 Rugby World Cup just two months after losing out to New Zealand in its bid to stage the 2011 event. ''We would like to use the assets we got from our campaign to hold the 2011 World Cup and will start activities for the 2015 bid,'' JRFU senior executive Noboru Mashimo said at the closing ceremony of the high school national championship in Higashi Osaka.
Baseball: Iguchi decides to skip World Baseball Classic
January 7, 2006Chicago White Sox infielder Tadahito Iguchi said Saturday he has declined to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March, citing his position on the major league club. ''Unfortunately, I've decided to withdraw from the squad. I informed manager Sadaharu Oh of my decision by fax yesterday,'' Iguchi said in Okinawa Prefecture, where he is in training.