Kyohei Yamasawa sets a benchmark as the top regular season scorer in Japan Rugby League One
The 26-year-old emerged from the shadow of his test-capped elder brother, Takuya, by scoring 209 points in 16 appearances in the Japanese professional tournament which attracts some of the world's best players.
He finished the regular season ahead of Toyota Brave Lupus fullback Takuro Matsunada with 174 points and Bryn Gatland, the New Zealand-born son of former Wales and British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland, who scored 169 points for the Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
Former Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley was sixth on the list this season with 145 points.
Japan League One is in its fourth season and Yamasawa is the fourth different player to lead the regular season scoring list, following Gatland, Foley and All Blacks flyhalf Damian McKenzie.
Yamasawa became the Wild Knights' only goalkicking option when his brother, Takuya, was sidelined by injury after only two matches.
Brave Lupus winger Jone Naikabula was the leading try-scorer in the regular season with 15.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora. Firefighters were called in as the fire spread into the nearby vegetation, authorities said. Police were investigating the causes of the accident that happened past midnight local time. They said there were no other vehicles involved. The bodies were undergoing forensic analysis. It wasn't clear who was driving the car. 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'Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.' Tributes are laid for Liverpool player Diogo Jota at Anfield on July 03, 2025 in Liverpool, England. The current Liverpool player and Portugal international Jota died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain at the age of 28. Photo by Jess Hornby / Getty Images Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club — including the Premier League title last season. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proenca said Portuguese soccer was 'completely devastated.' 'More than a fantastic player, with almost 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference in his community,' Proenca said in the statement. The Portuguese federation said it has requested a minute of silence before Thursday's match between Portugal and Spain at the Women's European Championship being played in Switzerland. 'We lost two champions,' Proenca said. 'Their deaths represent an irreparable loss for Portuguese soccer and we will all do our best to honor their legacy daily.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro commented on the 'unexpected and tragic' deaths. He said Jota was 'an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal's name.' 'I extend my deepest condolences to their family,' he said. 'It is a sad day for soccer and for national and international sports.' Reaction also started pouring in from across the world, including from non-soccer players such as NBA star Lebron James and tennis legend Rafael Nadal. 'It doesn't make any sense,' Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said. 'Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married. My condolences to your family, to your wife and to your children. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Former club Porto and former teammates lamented the deaths and sent condolences, as did other clubs, federations and leagues. The Premier League said it was 'shocked and devastated.' 'Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time,' it said. 'Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club.' UEFA said its thoughts were with relatives, friends and teammates affected 'by this heartbreaking loss.' It said a moment of silence will be observed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday. Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Whitecaps BC Lions Vancouver Canucks Opinion
