RIO DE JANEIRO — Japanese players fell to the ground at the sound of the final whistle, some in tears. They had done it.
Japan shocked New Zealand in a thrilling Olympic rugby sevens match on Tuesday at Deodoro Stadium, winning 14-12 and upsetting one of the top teams in the world in the process.
T, set the tone early, attacking the New Zealand side with pace and tenacity. The New Zealand team made a few mistakes of its own, and seemed unprepared for the energy of the Japanese side on a hot and muggy Brazilian day.