Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games rematch: Japan, USA set for three-game softball series in Fukushima and Yokohama
The three-game series will commence on Saturday at Azuma Stadium in Fukushima, venue of the first two days of the Olympic Softball competition one year ago, before moving on to Yokohama Stadium, host of the Tokyo Olympic gold medal game, for the final game on Monday.
One year after Japan’s historic 2-0 win over USA in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Gold Medal Game, the top-two ranked nations in the softball world will collide again in Fukushima and Yokohama this weekend in the WBSC-sanctioned Japan All-Star Series.
The three-game series will commence on Saturday 6 August, with a 7 p.m. game at Azuma Stadium in Fukushima, venue of the first two days of the Olympic Softball competition one year ago, followed by a second matchup on Sunday, August 7 at 2 p.m.
The series will move to Yokohama Stadium, host of the Tokyo Olympic gold medal game, for the final game on Monday August 8 at 7 p.m.
The Olympic gold medallists and the reigning World Champions faced off on 13 July for the last time, during The World Games final in Birmingham, Alabama. USA won a 3-2 thriller claiming not only the gold medal but also the title of world champions.
However, USA arrived in Japan with a different roster. Only three members from The World Games roster made the trip to Japan (Ally Carda, Megan Faraimo and Kinzie Hansen), while a total of six athletes will wear the Red, White and Blue for the first time in their careers.
Japan will also have a key addition, with veteran ace Yukiko Ueno joining the team for the series.
The Japan All-Star Series has provided an exciting experience for fans since its inception in 2016 when over 31,000 fans packed the Tokyo Dome while 2017 saw more than 10,000 fans in the stands at Yokohama Stadium.
