Miu Goto: Softball star receives Japan Diamond League awards, sets sights on LA28 Olympics
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<p>Japan softball sensation <strong>Miu Goto</strong> was the star of the JD.League 2023 Awards ceremony held in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture. The 22-year-old left handed pitcher received the MVP award for the West Division, along with the best ERA (0.83) and best win-loss record (14-1) in the regular season. She was also named in the West Division best team. </p>
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<p>Goto dominated the JD.League 2023 season, leading her Toyota Red Terriers to their first ever JD.League title, and first Japanese league crown in five years. The Terriers defeated arch-rivals Bic Camera Takasaki Bee Queen, 2-0, in the final of the Diamond Series.</p>
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<p>The Japanese ace, who helped her team win a gold medal at the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2021-softball-olympic-games/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games</span></strong></a> and silver at <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-world-games-womens-softball/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The World Games 2022</span></strong></a>, is expected to lead the Japanese National Team in the next few years, with next year's <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-womens-softball-world-cup-finals/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals</span></strong></a> in Italy, the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, and the LA28 Olympics as her main goals. </p>
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<p>Asked about her numbers this season and the challenges ahead, Goto never doubted: "I want to keep improving, I want to be better," she said during the awarding ceremony.</p>
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<p>In the East Division, <strong>Kanna Kudo</strong> was the MVP and also the best hitter of the season, with a .409 batting average. She was named the shortstop of the division's best team. </p>
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<p>International players also left their footprint on the season. <strong>Jailyn Ford</strong>, who earned a gold medal at The World Games 2022 with USA, had the best ERA (1.34) and the best record (11-2) in the East Division playing for Honda. Meanwhile, Italian Olympian <strong>Erika Piancastelli</strong> (SG Holdings) tied as the home run queen of the season with nine.</p>
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<p>During the ceremony, the <strong>Japanese National Team</strong> was recognised for their sixth consecutive gold medal at the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/olympians-miu-goto-yukiko-ueno-lead-japan-to-sixth-consecutive-gold-medal-at-hangzou-2022-asian-games-softball-event"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Asian Games</span></strong></a>.</p>
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