Time Machine: Olympic baseball big in Japan

This story originally ran in the Japanese newspaper Yukan Fuji in 2021.

TOKYO — Tokyo has pulled off what many see as a successful Olympic Games, despite massive public opposition and the coronavirus pandemic. No one died of heat stroke or Covid-19 — at least in the Olympic Village. So some degree of congratulations are in order.

There were also moments of excitement, inspiration and heartwarming kindness. More importantly, for Japan, the nation earned a record-high 27 gold medals, including 11 for judo, and took some big prizes in gymnastics and other events, with skateboarding becoming a household word. So there is that.