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, ‘ Kyoto International School, founded by Koreans living in Japan, tasted the excitement of its first championship at the summer high school baseball tournament (known as Koshien), which is the most prestigious high school baseball tournament in Japan. ‘,
, ‘ On the 23rd, Kyoto International School won the championship by defeating Tokyo Kanto Daiichi High School 2-1 in an intense 10-inning final at Nishinomiya Koshien Stadium in Osaka, Japan. After the game, the Korean school’s anthem, starting with the lyrics “Over the sacred land of Yamato, across the East Sea, our ancestors’ ancient dreamland,” echoed live across Japan through NHK broadcasting. ‘,
Kyoto International School players celebrating after securing the championship in the summer high school baseball tournament in Japan on the 23rd. Credit: Yonhap News
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, ” The summer Koshien is often referred to as the ‘stage of dreams’ for high school baseball players in Japan, as even reaching the main stage is a challenge. This year, out of 3,715 schools nationwide, only 49 teams made it to the main stage. Kyoto International School’s baseball team made its first appearance in the main tournament in 2021, lost in the first round, and achieved the remarkable feat of reaching and winning the championship this year. “,
, ‘ The game featured a tight pitching battle throughout. Starting pitchers Kyoto International School’s Rui Nakazaki and Kanto Daiichi High School’s Tetshin Hatanaka delivered a pitcher’s duel, not giving up a run during the regulation innings. Nakazaki held his ground by pitching 9 innings with 4 hits, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, and zero runs allowed, setting up the foundation for the victory. ‘,
, ‘ In the end, Kyoto International School broke the tie in the bottom of the 10th inning with bases loaded and no outs, scoring the winning run with a walk and adding another run with a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the 10th, Kyoto International School’s ace pitcher Itiki Nishimuka allowed a run, but with two outs and bases loaded, he struck out the last batter with a swinging strikeout, securing the thrilling Koshien championship. ‘,
Kyoto International School’s Rui Nakazaki, who threw a shutout to support the championship win in the summer high school baseball tournament in Japan on the 23rd. Credit: Yonhap News
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, ‘ Kyoto International School traces its origins back to Kyoto Chosen Junior High School, established in May 1947 by Koreans remaining in Japan after the liberation with the purpose of teaching ethnic spirit and Korean language to their children. The school was founded through voluntary fundraising efforts by the Korean residents. It received approval from the South Korean government in 1958 and was officially recognized as a school by the Japanese government in 2003, leading to its renaming as Kyoto International School. ‘,
, ‘ Currently, around 160 middle and high school students are studying in Korean, Japanese, and English at the school. In 1999, the baseball team was established to attract students, and out of the 138 high school students, 61 are part of the baseball team. Approximately 30% of the enrolled students are of Korean descent, while most of the current baseball team players hold Japanese nationality. ‘,
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