In rugby, Yoshikazu Fujita scored two first-half tries as Japan erased a 7-0 deficit to beat Manu Samoa 33-14 yesterday for a record seventh straight test-match win.
Fujita ran in to reduce Samoa's lead to 7-5 in the 10th minute and widened the advantage to 15-7 midway through the first half.
A conversion and a penalty by Ayumu Goromaru allowed Japan to take a 20-7 lead at the break.
Brando Vaaulu gave Samoa a glimmer of hope with a try in the second half that cut Japan's lead to 23-12 but another penalty by Goromaru and a try by Kotaru Matsushima gave the hosts a comfortable 31-14 lead with three minutes remaining.
Both Japan and Samoa have already qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup where they will compete in Pool B against South Africa, Scotland and the United States.
