AP – Sports
July 21, 2026
Olympic Medalist Dies After Crashing into Barrier During Cycling Race: ‘Lost His Life Doing What He Loved’
Olympic medalist Toshiaki Fushimi has died after crashing during a cycling race in Japan. On Saturday, July 18, Fushimi, 50, was taking part in the Matsusaka Keirin tournament when he crashed into a barrier after attempting to avoid a collision ahead of him.
In a video shared on X, the silver medalist can be seen appearing to veer toward the safety barrier to avoid other cyclists that had crashed in front of him.
Fushimi sustained fractures to his cervical vertebrae (neck) and skull.
Olympic medalist Toshiaki Fushimi has died after crashing during a cycling race in Japan.
He succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, July 19, at 10:15 a.m. local time, according to the outlets.
Alongside Tomohiro Nagatsuka and Masaki Inoue, Fushimi won Olympic silver in the team sprint at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens
This year’s supersized World Cup had some things go wrong. There was also a lot that went right
The World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico wasn’t perfect, but has still been widely hailed as a success. The tournament featured 48 teams and 104 games, with stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé captivating audiences. Despite some political issues and weather challenges, the games mostly went smoothly. Fox and Telemundo reported strong viewership, with the Spain-Argentina final drawing millions.
Missing the World Cup? Relief is on the way next summer with the Women’s World Cup in Brazil
It’s the women’s turn now. The next World Cup, the women’s edition, is set for next summer in Brazil. Just as Spain won the men’s trophy on Sunday, that nation’s women were the champions three years ago. Currently the top-ranked women’s team in the world, Spain topped England 1-0 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney. The memories of 2023 aren’t so sweet for the United States, which was knocked out of the tournament in the round of 16 by Sweden. Still, the U.S. has won four World Cup titles and is currently ranked No. 2 in the world.
Ryan Fox and supporting cast keep this British Open from being remembered for the wrong reasons
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Ryan Fox doesn’t have a YouTube channel. What he has is the best content possible at the British Open. He gets the claret jug. The way Fox won at Royal Birkdale helped keep this British Open from being remembered for all the wrong reasons. Most of those reasons involved Bryson DeChambeau and the drama he seems to create. But that was overshadowed in a big way by Fox and his marvelous birdie on the 72nd hole. By the heartache for Cameron Young and Sam Burns. And for the adulation shown to hometown hero Tommy Fleetwood. DeChambeau was a forgotten figure on Sunday.
LIV Golf suffers setback with Asian Tour joining new alliance with European and PGA tours
The Asian Tour is joining a new strategic alliance with the PGA Tour and European tour. And that could be another setback for LIV Golf. The new alliance is separate from the PGA Tour and European tour partnership that awards 10 PGA Tour cards to European tour players. The three-way alliance involving the Asian Tour is through 2029 and is meant to create commercial and playing opportunities. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia invested $300 million for the International Series on the Asian Tour before LIV Golf launched in 2022. That ended a previous alliance between Asia and Europe.
WNBA enjoys ‘hypergrowth’ under Commissioner Cathy Engelbert amid strained relationship with players
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA has grown at an exponential rate during Cathy Engelbert’s nearly seven years as commissioner of the league. Engelbert, the second-longest tenured WNBA president or commissioner, has helped elevate the league amid a strained relationship with players. While Engelbert helped negotiate a transformative collective bargaining agreement this past spring that gives the WNBA its first core of million-dollar player salaries, New York’s Sabrina Ionescu says she talks more with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver than Engelbert. Breanna Stewart says there is a respect for Engelbert among the players, just not much of a relationship. While the commissioner continues to try and strengthen her relationship with players, the business of the WNBA has thrived.
The Red Sox have won 14 straight and need 1 more to match an 80-year-old franchise record
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have won 14 straight games. With one more victory, they would match the franchise record set by the 1946 club led by Ted Williams. Caleb Durbin hit a tiebreaking homer over the Green Monster with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Red Sox extended the second-longest winning streak in club history to 14 games, beating the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 on Monday night. Durbin connected on a 1-0 cutter from Tyler Wells, setting off a celebration by his teammates in front of Boston’s dugout. Boston was 37-48 when the streak began and is now in position for a wild-card playoff berth.
Thousands of African winter skiing tourists are flocking to snowy Lesotho
BUTHA-BUTHE, Lesotho (AP) — Lesotho attracts thousands each winter to its unique ski resort, the only such tourist attraction in sub-Saharan Africa. The landlocked kingdom’s high elevation and mountainous terrain make it the coldest country on the continent. And Afriski Mountain Resort — some 3,200 meters above sea level, nestled in the country’s northern Maluti Mountains — is its only fully operational ski resort. The majestic snow-covered landscapes are ideal for skiing, and both seasoned and new visitors enjoy the slopes. The resort’s artificial snow machines ensure it stays open throughout the Southern Hemisphere’s winter, while the visitors make for a welcome addition to southern Africa’s tourism, known for its wildlife and coastal attractions.
Dodgers say two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound later this week
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound sometime later this week, but there is no timetable for his return to the rotation. The four-time MVP last pitched on July 3. He received a lubricant injection in his balky left knee, which does not bother him while batting. Manager Dave Roberts said the injection, bypassing the All-Star game and skipping the scheduled start is not because the issue is worsening. Rather, that it has “not gotten better.” Roberts indicated that Ohtani would try to throw off the mound later this week, saying it could happen on Thursday or Friday.
Power surge: Guardians hit 7 homers against Twins, 1 short of franchise record
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians hit seven home runs against the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, one short of the franchise record and matching the record for a home game. It was an unlikely power surge for the Guardians, who came into the game tied with Tampa Bay for the third-fewest homers in the majors with 94. Petey Halpin and Rhys Hoskins each went deep twice. It is the sixth time in the franchise’s 125 seasons they have gone deep at least seven times in a game. Cleveland hit eight home runs at Milwaukee on April 25, 1997, and at Seattle on July 16, 2004.
Could the SEC really break away? Commish says conversations are real but that’s not what they want
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC is having serious talks about breaking away from the NCAA. On Monday, Sankey explained that school presidents are frustrated and considering significant changes. However, he emphasized that this isn’t their preferred solution. The SEC is dealing with issues like Congressional legislation, new eligibility rules, and transparency around player payments. Despite these challenges, Sankey highlighted the league’s 13 national championships last season as a reason to stay within the current framework. He believes there’s value in participating in a national organization.
