Softbank Hawks pitcher Gota Suzuki showed off his strong nerves on the 1st. On this day, he worked up a sweat doing things like playing catch at the farm facility in Chikugo, Fukuoka. He was selected for the Japan national team (principally under 24 years old, up to their third year of professional play) for the 'Raxus Asia Professional baseball Championship 2026' (Tokyo Dome) starting on the 12th. Despite it being his first time wearing the national colors, including his amateur days, he emphasized his composure, saying, 'I don't feel any pressure at all. I just want to pitch normally.'

Last autumn, he was selected as the third draft pick from Osaka University of Commerce and appeared in 40 games during his rookie year. He recorded stable numbers with an ERA of 1.74. He responded to a wide range of assignments, from the start of an inning to high-leverage situations, and also contributed during the postseason. He was selected for the Japan national team.

His signature cutter is a weapon he looks back on, saying, "If I didn't have that, I would have been finished." He jokingly remarks, "If it gets hit, I lose my confidence, so I wish I could just go with my fastball..." but even on the international stage, he intends to toy with the hitter using his specialty pitch.

After achieving the number one spot in Japan, he returned to his hometown in Shiga. He spent time with his family and got plenty of rest. Aiming for a third consecutive tournament victory, he will bloom wherever he is planted, just as he did during the season.