Before Rakuten Eagles-Lotte game held at Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park on the 22nd, martial artist Makoto Shinryu, who hails from Miyagi Prefecture, threw the ceremonial first pitch.

▼ Makoto Shinryu

"I was incredibly nervous. Lately, I haven't been so nervous during my own martial arts matches, but it felt like I was back to my old self. I was so relieved when the ball reached catcher safely and was strike. During practice, Nishigaki-san taught me my form, but he also told me to throw in a way that was comfortable for me, so I think I was able to throw with a good balance. To all Rakuten Eagles players, I also want to win the RIZIN flyweight title match on June 6th and liven up Tohoku and Miyagi together with you all, so please do your best in today's match!"