5STARs win Japanese Baseball5 National Championship
5STARs defeated GIANTS in the final 2-1 (7-1, 3-5, 10-1) to claim the second Samurai Japan Challenge Cup, the Japanese Baseball5 National Championship. They succeed Junk5.
The 5STARs Ayako Rokkaku and Tsutomu Kinjo earned MVP honours. Rokkaku, a WBSC Athletes Representative, played for silver-medal winning Japan in the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024. Her teammate, Ayano Kazuta, was also part of the team.
The GIANTS fielded a team of professional female players and Yomiuri Giants Academy coaches. Miwa Tanaka participated in the inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup in 2022.
Yokohama Hayato High School Aggressive defeated Funabashi City 5 in the final 2-1 (4-5, 6-3, 7-3) to win the Youth Division.
The winners had a roster of first- and second-year students competing in the school's men's and women's teams.
Yudai Hoshi, a baseball player and the Aggressive Captain, commented: "This team showcased a lot of talent and enjoyed playing together."
Funabashi City 5 fielded third-year students of the Yokohama Hayato High School.