SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 4: Softbank Hawks vs. DeNA (28th, Mizuho PayPay)

Professional wheelchair tennis player Yui Kamiji (Mitsui Sumitomo Banking Corporation), who in July became the second woman in history to achieve a career Golden Slam (winning all four major tournaments and the Paralympics), performed the ceremonial first pitch. The ball she threw with her dominant left arm reached the catcher on one bounce. Wearing a smile, Softbank Hawks manager Kokubo sent applause from the dugout.

Kamiji, who won two gold medals in singles and doubles at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Last month at the US Open, she won her second consecutive title and fourth overall. In the Japan Series, she also performed the ceremonial first pitch in Game 2 of 2016 (Hiroshima vs Nippon-Ham) at Mazda Stadium, Game 4 of 2019 (The Giants vs Softbank Hawks) at Tokyo Dome, and Game 2 of 2024 (DeNA vs Softbank Hawks) at Yokohama Stadium. In 2024, she showcased a pitch that reached the catcher without a bounce.