What we learned: Softball wrap-up from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Some 13 years on from last appearing in Beijing, softball returned to the Olympic Games.

And it saw the coming together of some of the best teams in the world, as well as some players returning to the national team specifically with the aim of securing gold in Tokyo.

But ultimately it was to be Japan who reigned supreme on home turf, with the USA and Canada also among the medals.

Below, we take a look back at the most memorable moments, a recap of the medal winners, and what comes next for the sport.

Top 5 softball moments at Tokyo 2020

1: Japan go back-to-back on home turf

Softball had returned to the Olympics, and it was Japan's moment to shine.

On home turf, the world ranked no.2 team had the chance to do the double over their American rivals, with the two sides having also met in the final in Beijing.

While the Americans won their round-robin game, in the final, it was the Japanese side that came out on top with two unanswered runs.

It was the perfect homecoming for softball, a sport that continues to be popular in Japan.

But it was also the perfect send-off for a trio of veterans who returned to the team specifically for Tokyo 2020.

2: UENO Yukiko's legacy Olympics

UENO Yukiko, along with YAMADA Eri and MINE Yukiyo, were three of the players from 13 years ago that made the decision to return to the national team for Tokyo 2020.

At Beijing 2008, Ueno played an extraordinary tournament that saw her clinch the gold on her 413th pitch of the Games.

And coming into this summer's Olympic Games, she insisted that her 'motivations haven't changed' and she was 'ready'.

Ueno came good on her word and delivered yet another golden tournament for Japan.

In truth, Ueno would always have been considered a legend in the name of Japanese softball, but Tokyo 2020 simply helped to cement that legacy.

3: USA v Japan rivalry

The United States v Japan.

It's one of the richest rivalries in the history of softball.

World ranked no.1 taking on world ranked no.2.

And it doesn't matter the competition, both nations are always battling to be the best.

Tokyo 2020 saw this rivalry return to the global stage, and it didn't disappoint as they both returned to the gold medal match.

While the redemption arc wasn't to be for the US as Japan claimed gold on home turf, it was a spectacle fit to inspire the next generation of softball players.

4: History for Canada

At Beijing 2008, the Canadian softball team finished fourth - and it was their best result at an Olympics to date.

Now returning to the Olympic Games, ranked third in the world, they had a different story to write.

After winning three and losing two of their opening round games, Canada would go on to join Mexico in the bronze medal match.

And following a thrilling encounters between the two sides that ended 3-2, the Canadians would have their own taste of history.

They were Olympic medallists for the very first time, returning home with bronze.

5: Rivals on the pitch, fiancées off the pitch

The Tokyo Olympic Games have been historic, in more ways than one.

For the LGBTQ community, it saw at least 179 publicly out athletes participate in the Games, significantly more than the reported 56 at Rio.

And among those athletes were softball duo Amanda Chidester (USA) and Anissa Urtez (Mexico).

The pair are engaged, but become rivals when they step onto the field.

"We know that our life together has its own identity, and win or lose nothing will change that," wrote Chidester on Instagram.

"While we do step on the field as opponents, we step off as fiancées."

One last look

While much of the attention was on Japan and the United States, and whether or not the hosts could do the double over the best ranked team in the world or if the USA could achieve the redemption they sought - two teams proved as surprise packages.

Both bronze medal match opponents - Mexico and Canada demonstrated just how far both have come in the last 13 years.

For Canada, it was bettering their fourth place finish in Beijing and - after only losing by one run to both Japan and the USA - closing the gap on the top two.

And Mexico showed their desire to fight for medals after coming agonisingly close on what was their Olympic debut in Tokyo.

When do the softball teams compete next?

After an enthralling Olympic encounter, many of these teams will face each other once again in 2022.

This time, however, it will be at the World Games, held in the United States.

That will serve as a qualifying event for the 17th Women's Softball World Cup, which will be held over 2023 (group stage) and 2024 (finals).

However, as an additional sport for Tokyo 2020, softball will not be contested at Paris 2024.

Looking further afield, with Los Angeles and Brisbane hosting the Olympic Games in 2028 and 2032 respectively in countries with a strong softball presence, the sport may be back on the programme sooner rather than later.

When and where to watch softball replays on Olympics.com

The answer is: olympics.com/tokyo2020-replays.

Full medals list for softball at Tokyo 2020

Gold: Japan

Silver: United States

Bronze: Canada