Updated Jul 27, 2021 - Sports

In photos: Softball at the Tokyo Olympics

Ina Fried

Team Japan celebrates Tuesday after defeating the U.S. softball team 2-0 and winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios

Japan defeated its main softball rival 2-0 to win the gold medal on Tuesday, as the sport returned to the Tokyo Olympics after a 12-year absence.

Why it matters: Softball is back in the Olympics, but its future remains uncertain, with the game not scheduled to be part of the next Olympics in Paris and questionable for the following Games in Los Angeles.

Here are some photos from Tuesday's action and the rest of the tournament:

Outfielder Janie Reed leaps over the fence to steal a sure home run from Team Japan in the sixth inning of Tuesday's gold medal game. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios

Japan's Yamato Fujita held Team USA without a hit for the first five innings at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday, July 26 — Japan's Yamato Fujita held Team USA without a hit for the first five innings at the Tokyo Olympics on July 26. Photo: ina Fried/Axios

Kelsey Stewart #7 of the U.S. hits a walk-off home run to win the game 2-1 in the seventh inning against Team Japan during softball opening round on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games — Kelsey Stewart, #7 of Team USA hits a walk-off home run to win the game 2-1 in the seventh inning against Japan on July 26. Photo: Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images

A bucket of softballs used during the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios

Kelsey Stewart #7 of Team United States jumps on home plate after hotting a walk-off home run in the seventh inning against Team Japan on July 26. — Kelsey Stewart #7 of Team United States jumps on home plate after hitting a walk-off home run in the seventh inning against Team Japan on July 26. Photo: Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images

The U.S. plays Mexico at Yokohama Stadium during the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios

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In photos: Softball at the Tokyo Olympics

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