Jul 27, 2021 - Sports

Japan tops U.S. 2-0 for softball gold

Ina Fried

Japan celebrates after winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday night. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios

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

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Japan tops U.S. 2-0 for softball gold

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