(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Japan and USA Share Gold; Canada and Venezuela Take Bronze as The World Games Men’s Softball Medal Games Canceled Due to Rain
Heavy rain in Chengdu led to the cancellation of the medal games at The World Games Men’s Softball competition, resulting in two gold medals and two bronze medals being awarded.
Top-ranked Japan and No. 7 USA both received gold medals after the finals were called off. Canada (ranked No. 6) and Venezuela (No. 2) earned bronze medals as the bronze medal games were also canceled.
For Japan, this gold marks their first major international men’s softball title after finishing as runners-up in the 2000 and 2019 World Cups. Japan’s head coach Shinji Eguchi expressed pride in the achievement despite wishing for a different finish.
The USA celebrated their first major men’s softball championship since 1988. Head coach Ron Hackett reflected on the team’s growth and called it a rewarding milestone, even though the final match was not played.
Venezuela’s bronze adds to an impressive summer, following their recent victory at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2025/2026. Coach Delio López hailed the medal as a proud moment for the team and country.
Canada’s bronze marked a comeback after a tough World Cup, serving as a fitting farewell for retiring head coach John Stuart. Stuart, who led Softball Canada for 16 years, expressed pride in ending his career on the podium.
The last time a major men’s softball event was halted by rain was in 1976, when the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup playoffs were canceled and the championship was shared among Canada, New Zealand, and the USA.
