Rakuten Eagles outfielder Daisuke Nakashima (24) revealed the voluntary training he has been doing in Okinawa Prefecture up until the 14th. Last season he was established as one of the regular outfield. He had a breakthrough season, reaching the required number of at-bats for the first time, batting .266 with 6 Home Run, 31 RBI and 22 stolen base. "I want to surpass last year. I want to make this year one in which I can surpass myself from last year," he said, expressing his determination.

His alma mater, Aoyama Gakuin University, won the 102nd Hakone Ekiden (held on the 2nd and 3rd). "When they do their best, it makes me feel good, or rather, it makes me feel proud. I'm not involved at all, but I had friends there when I was a university student, and I still support them a lot, so I'm happy." Though the sport is different, he was inspired by his alma mater's success.

In the Hakone Ekiden, Asahi Kuroda (4th year) from Aoyama Gakuin University set an astonishing new section record in the 5th section, which is an uphill climb. He took on the nickname "Shin Mountain God." When asked "If you were to become the god of XX," Nakajima replied with a smile, "I'd like to be the god of batting."

The reason he chose the "God of Batting" was clear: "As fielder, running, hitting, and defense are all important in terms of helping the team win, but I think batting has a big impact on a great team, so I want to become a better batter," he explained.

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