(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Okinawa Shogaku High School Clinches Historic First Summer Koshien Title
Okinawa Shogaku High School has made history by winning its first-ever Summer Koshien championship at Japan’s prestigious National High School Baseball Tournament. In front of a packed crowd of 45,600 at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Okinawa Shogaku defeated Tokyo powerhouse Nihon University Third High School (Nichidai-san) with a 3-1 victory.
Nihon took an early lead in the opening inning, but Okinawa responded quickly, scoring in the second, sixth, and eighth innings to secure the win. Star player Eimu Ginoza delivered an outstanding performance, scoring the team’s first run and driving in the other two with an RBI single in the sixth and an RBI double in the eighth.
On the mound, sophomore pitchers Yuito Arakaki and Ryosuke Sueyoshi combined for a strong outing. Arakaki pitched 7.1 innings, giving up only one run on six hits, while Sueyoshi earned the save by escaping two late-game jams. The thrilling finale ended with Sueyoshi forcing a double play to shut down Nihon’s last scoring opportunity.
“Being able to deliver in those moments makes me the happiest,” said Ginoza in a postgame interview.
Head coach Kimiya Higa, who previously contributed to Japan’s U-18 World Title in 2023 as part of the national coaching staff, received praise for guiding Okinawa Shogaku to glory. Japanese media even noted his resemblance to legendary football manager José Mourinho.
The Summer Koshien, a single-elimination tournament featuring 49 teams, is one of Japan’s most iconic sporting events. This year’s victory adds to Okinawa Shogaku’s impressive record, having already won two Spring Koshien titles in 1999 and 2008.
Adding to the excitement, Okinawa Prefecture will host the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025, scheduled for 5–14 September. The tournament, co-hosted by the Baseball Federation of Japan (BFJ) and NPB Enterprise, will bring international attention to the region as rising stars from across the globe compete.
With their first Summer crown secured and the world watching Okinawa in September, Okinawa Shogaku High School has cemented its place in Japanese baseball history.
