Special collaboration between the Japan Sumo Association and six Pacific League teams realized

75 years after the first regular season of Pacific League, and the 100th anniversary of the Japan Sumo Association, a special collaboration between the Japan Sumo Association and the six Pacific League teams was realized. On March 26th, a press conference was held at Kyocera Dome Osaka, attended by Orix pitcher Seiryu Kotajima and Ura, who is scheduled to attend the collaborative match in June.

Although Ura, who is from Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture, is not very knowledgeable about baseball, he has opportunities to interact with his senior from high school, pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, by watching his practice before tournaments and training together. When asked about his impression of sumo, pitcher Furutajima replied, "I think sumo wrestlers are the strongest in the human world. I have an image of them being strong and cool."

This was pitcher and Ura's first meeting. Although they didn't know much about each other's sports, they empathized with the fact that neither of them had a smooth road from their amateur days, and felt a sense of familiarity with each other. pitcher commented, "In sumo and baseball, especially reliever, you give 100% in a short amount of time. They're not the same, but I think there are some similarities." Ura also said, "I hope this collaboration will help us deepen our understanding."

Collaborative games to be held at six teams' home stadiums, with Ura also set to throw the ceremonial opening pitch

For this collaboration, a collaborative match will be held at each of the six Pacific League League teams' home stadiums. Sumo wrestlers from the area around each team's home stadium will also attend each stadium to liven up the match. In addition, there will be sumo-related performances, and collaborations on social media are also planned.

Regarding this collaboration, Ura commented, "I'm grateful for the opportunity to promote sumo and baseball." pitcher Furutajima also expressed his expectations, saying, "I don't know much about sumo, but I've become more interested in it. Similarly, I would be happy if people who don't know much about baseball could learn about baseball through sumo."

Ura, who is scheduled to throw the opening pitch at the game on June 3, laughed and said, "I'm not very good at ball games." However, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I want to throw a powerful ball. I'll practice hard until then."

Pacific League will be celebrating its 75th anniversary this March since the first championship match began on March 11, 1950. The Japan Sumo Association was established as a foundation on December 28, 1925, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in December 2025. With professional baseball as the national sport and sumo as the national sport, they will continue to liven up the sports world.

▼Collaboration match schedule/wrestlers scheduled to attend

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
June 15th (Sunday) ES CON FIELD / Kazuyamamoto (from Hokkaido)

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
June 12th (Thursday) Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi / Toki Shippu (from Miyagi Prefecture)

Saitama Seibu Lions
June 27th (Friday) Belluna Dome / Daiei Sho (from Saitama Prefecture)

Chiba Lotte Marines
June 14th (Saturday) Zozo Marine Stadium Takanokatsu Seki (from Chiba Prefecture)

Orix The Buffaloes
June 3rd (Tue) - 5th (Thu) Kyocera Dome Osaka / Ura (from Osaka Prefecture)
*Ura will only be there on June 3rd

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
June 13th (Friday) MIZUHO PayPay Dome / Shodai (from Kumamoto Prefecture)