The Japanese softball team stunned three-time world champions the United States 3-1 to clinch the gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Thursday.
The game was a replay of the gold medal face-off from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games when the US outscored Japan 2-1 in eight innings, yet the clash tonight told a different story.
"This is the result of the whole team's united spirit. My girls did what they could do and trusted each other," said Japan's head coach Haruka Saito.
The Japanese jumped in front early in the top of the third inning when Ayumi karino's single put the third-based Masumi Mishina across the home plate for the first run.
Ueno Yokiko, Japan's 26-year-old ace pitcher who hurls at a speed above 105 kilometers per hour, succeeded to suppress the American's batters despite she was forced to pitch 21 innings in two games on Wednesday.
The boyish short-haired hurler worked seven complete innings, striking out five batters and allowing five hits.
"I haven't pitched so many games in a row like these two days before. But I know it was the top level game and we played in Olympic arena. So there is not only physical issues but also the mental spirit. It's the strong belief to drive me to win."
"I put my pitch with more spin tonight but not only speed like last two games." said a tired Ueno after the game.
With their strong-minded hurler's lead, Japanese hot-batting hitters took pains to seize the chance and edged the lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning. A powerful swing of Eri Yamada deliverd a brilliant solo homer to boost the Japanese confidence to grab their first ever gold medal.
"Although sometimes I don't know what I should do, I trust myself and all my teammates support me. So I got a home run today." said Yamada.
Crystl Bustos, American leading slugger who was the Olympic holder with 10 home runs up to now, added the 11th homer to her list in the bottom fourth. The suntanned bull-like batter sent a knee-height pitch from previously untouchable Ueno soaring up into the right field stands to narrow the gap to 2-1.
The Japanese rallied to achieve the decisive run in the seventh inning, widening the lead to 3-1 and pushing the Americans to the verge of the cliff.
The desperate Americans failed to make miracles in the closing inning, losing their first Olympic gold medal since softball made a debut show at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
"I'm still proud of my athletes both in the past eight years and tonight. They are very tough and show their spirits in the tournament. Life will be better but only see more tragic tonight. we'll move on." said US head coach Mike Candrea.
"I had faith, but we just didn't get the job done and that's the bottom line. They played better ball than we did today. We had opportunities and couldn't get that big hit." US catcher Stacey Nuveman analyzed the failure.
As it is said?America's dominance in the past three Games is regared as one reason for softball's exile from Olympics, Americans' failure tonight refuted the criticism.
Jessica Mendoza said, "It's interesting because everyone says all the time that we win and no one can compete. It was proven today that other teams can win. The sport should remain. It's global. It's been a beautiful last two weeks of softball."
Japan's head coach Haruka Saito said her side's victory had two meanings.
"It is probably our last Olympic Games. And if our win tonight could help bring the softball. It is a big motivation for us and much meaningful than the game itself. We will promote it all over the world, every corner of the world."
Outfielder Ayumi Karino also believed their teams' performance could help the softball's return.
"It will have a big influence, it will allow children's dreams to come true, it will have a huge affect the Back Softball campaign to bring it to the Olympic Games."
It was the third meet between the world's best two teams in the ten-day tournament. The Americans won the first two clashes but lost the final one.
The game was played in a ceaseless sizzling night when more than 5,000 fanatic spectators enjoyed the Olympic softball's last show in raincoats as the sport was voted out of the 2012 London Games.
(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2008)