It was sudden. The raising of the torso had begun. Dancing in the spring sky of Nango were the Seibu Lions and Sosuke Genda infielder (32) members of the Samurai Japan national team. After finishing their special defense on the sub ground, they were urged by Shuta Tonosaki infielder (33) and others, and pushed up on their backs. The photographers who were present were not prepared for this, and all of them missed the shot.

"At the end, it was like, 'Well, Gen, do your best,' and before I knew it, I was flying through the air."

He finished his Nango training camp early and will join Samurai Japan's Miyazaki training camp from the 14th. He looked pleased as his Leo teammates lifted him up in the air in celebration.

He has been doing weight training since autumn, and over the past 12 days he has felt a definite response, such as an increase in his swing speed. "I think I've been able to continue doing the things I've been doing for a long time, and I think I've been able to put in a good effort. There's more energy now, and the atmosphere at practice has improved. I think it's good," he concluded.

The best know the best. When asked about being selected for the top team led by Coach Ibata, who was known as a master player during his playing days, he said, "Coach Ibata started out as short stop, so it's a great honor to have been selected to play short stop. On the other hand, I think the level of play he expects from me is high, so I hope I can play in a way that lives up to that."

He was selected as the starting short stop for the previous tournament in 2023, and contributed to the team's victory despite suffering a broken pinky finger on his right hand. The "embodiment of the Samurai spirit" will once again wear the JAPAN uniform, armed with one of the best defense skills in Japanese baseball.

"It's a very difficult battle, and each and every match is very important. I think it will be good if we can fight well in each match without looking ahead."

With renewed determination, we left the sweat-soaked Nango Stadium. It was time to compete for the world's top spot. (Kato Hiroshi)