Kanoa Igarashi, who won the silver medal in the men's surfing at the Tokyo Olympics, held the opening ceremony in the match between the Angels and the Rangers, the major league baseball player to which Shohei Ohtani belongs.
The 24-year-old Igarashi is from California and appeared at the opening ceremony on the 28th at the Rangers match at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim, home of the Angels.
Igarashi, who was interviewed before the opening ceremony, said, "I have a house on the beach near the stadium, but this is my first time to come to the stadium. I was nervous because I was worried about it, "he said with a smile.
On top of that, he praised, "Otani is a hero. It's really difficult to be a superstar in the United States, so I have a strong respect."
Igarashi, who said that he did not dare to practice the opening ceremony, took the number in the name and appeared in a uniform with a number "50", and the ball was far out of the strike zone, but from the audience I raised my hand and responded to the applause.
At Angel Stadium, skateboarder Yuto Horigome also held the opening ceremony this season, and top athletes such as figure skating Yuma Kagiyama visited the game frequently.