TOKYO – Holding the U.S. team to just three hits, Olympic host country Japan captured the first gold medal for softball in a dozen years, winning 2-0.
Why it matters: Japan is the Americans' main rival in softball. The sport's Olympic future remains uncertain.
The U.S. came into the gold medal game undefeated, having beaten Japan 2-1 on Monday. However, the team struggled on offense, producing just 7 runs during those four games.
- Japan's only loss, meanwhile, was that narrow defeat to the U.S.
What's next: Softball won't be in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but could be back for the Games in Los Angeles four years later.
Go deeper: Softball at the Tokyo Olympics, in photos