[Lotte] Figure skater Ami Nakai throws a bounced pitch at the opening ceremony but gives herself a score of "around 90 points." She also shares a behind-the-scenes story about receiving unusual advice from her senior, Kaori Sakamoto. | Pacific League

[Lotte] Figure skater Ami Nakai throws a bounced pitch at the opening ceremony, but gives herself a score of "around 90 points." She also shares a behind-the-scenes story about receiving unusual advice from her senior, Kaori Sakamoto.

Sports Hochi

June 21, 2026 17:19

Figure skater Ami Nakai throws the ceremonial first pitch (Photo by Wataru Koshikawa)

◆ Pacific League League: Rakuten Eagles (21st, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Ami Nakai (TOKIO Inkarami), the bronze medalist in women's figure skating at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, took to the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch. Wearing a uniform with number "315 (Saikō - meaning "the best")", her first throw unfortunately bounce before reaching the plate, but she was met with warm applause from the stands.

"I was really nervous because it was my first time throwing the first pitch. It wasn't a no-bounce, but I was glad that I was able to get it to catcher properly." She smiled and said she would give herself about 90 points because she threw it well.

Kaori Sakamoto, a senior who won a silver medal in the same event, also had experience throwing the first pitch, so Kaori asked Sakamoto for advice, saying, "Did you do anything before throwing, Kaori-chan?" However, Sakamoto gave her the unusual advice, "I think you can just throw it normally," which she revealed, drawing laughter from the audience.

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