Japan reclaimed the world No. 2 spot from Puerto Rico with a stunning victory at the Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024 in Castions di Strada, Italy.
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<p>The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has unveiled the latest <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/rankings/softball-w">WBSC/KONAMI Women's Softball World Ranking</a>, featuring notable changes in the top 10. These shifts come in the wake of the recently concluded <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-womens-softball-world-cup-finals/home">Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2024</a> in Castions di Strada, Italy, where Japan's triumphant performance saw them reclaim the world No. 2 spot from Puerto Rico.</p>
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<p>The United States maintained its dominance at No. 1, despite finishing as runners-up in the tournament, while <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/2024-women-softball-world-cup-final-usa-japan">Japan</a>, the tournament winners, have jumped to No. 2, <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbsc-womens-softball-world-cup-finals-japan-hold-world-champion-and-olympic-titles-together-for-first-time">holding both the world and Olympic titles</a>.</p>
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<p>Puerto Rico, which secured a sixth-place finish in the tournament, have slipped to No. 3. Chinese Taipei and Canada remained steady at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, with <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-womens-softball-world-cup-finals/news/2024-women-softball-world-cup-bronze-medal-game-canada-netherlands">Canada clinching the bronze medal</a> in Castions di Strada.</p>
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<p>Highlighting significant changes in the rankings, China vaulted six spots to claim No. 11, and the Netherlands climbed two spots to secure No. 6. Australia advanced to No. 9. Other notable movers included Argentina, which ascended from No. 29 to No. 27, and Colombia, which edged up to No. 32.</p>
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<p>The race for one of the six coveted spots at <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2025-the-world-games-womens-softball/home">The World Games Chengdu 2025</a> is intensifying. The top six teams in the WBSC/KONAMI Women's Softball World Ranking as of 31 December 2024 will secure their place in the tournament. </p>
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<p>The WBSC/KONAMI World Rankings are based on a four-year time cycle. With the 2024 season's focus on the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup group stage and the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals, the competition for ranking points will be intense, especially with no residual points from the 2020 COVID-affected season influencing the standings.</p>
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