National Sports

CALGARY — With the attitude of better late than never, Canada's top women's hockey players are relieved to have the chance to finally play meaningful games.

The pride of Indian mixed martial arts is back home after dethroning Brandon (The Truth) Vera in Singapore to win One Championship's heavyweight title. And for Arjan Singh Bhullar, home is Richmond, B.C.

BELGRADE, Serbia — Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez is out of the Serbia Open after a second-round loss today. Fernandez, from Laval, Que., fell 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria at the WTA Tour 250 clay-court event.

TOKYO (AP) — The IOC wraps up its final planning sessions on Friday with Tokyo Olympic organizers, just two months before the games are to open.

TOKYO (AP) — As she struggled to breathe, Shizue Akita had to wait more than six hours while paramedics searched for a hospital in Osaka that would treat her worsening COVID-19.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan on Friday expanded a coronavirus state of emergency hours after it approved the use of two more vaccines in an effort to contain a worrying surge in infections nine weeks ahead of the opening of the Tokyo Olympics.

Here are five things to watch in Canadian sports this weekend: BACK TO BACK The North Division's late end to the regular season meant a late start to its two post-season series.

Canadian Jordan Dallaire-Gagné just wanted to be part of the largest sporting event in the world. Working or volunteering at the Tokyo Olympics was top of mind when the Montrealer moved to Japan a little over a year ago.

QUEBEC — The Val d'Or Foreurs are heading to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's championship series after sweeping the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. The Foreurs finished a 3-0 sweep with a 6-3 win over the Sagueneens on Thursday night.

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in a three-run ninth inning, and Boston Red Sox rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 on Thursday night.