Olympic judo medalist Ryoko Tani has publicly praised incoming Yomiuri Giants manager Hideki Matsui for an act of sportsmanship during a 2000 exhibition game, highlighting the careful preparation that she says defines a true professional. As Matsui prepares to take charge of the traditional Nippon Professional Baseball club at age 52, the five-time Olympic medalist recalled how the slugger handed her his own meticulously maintained glove before a ceremonial first pitch, drawing praise from the late managerial legend Shigeo Nagashima.
Ryoko Tani Recalls Hideki Matsui Handing Over His Glove at the 2000 US-Japan Baseball Series
The interaction took place during the 2000 US-Japan baseball series. Tani, then competing under her maiden name Ryoko Tamura, waited in the preparation area for a glove to arrive for her ceremonial pre-game duties. Matsui noticed the delay and stepped in, offering his own equipment for her use on the field.
“When I was waiting in the holding area for a glove to arrive, Matsui handed me his and said, ‘Please use mine,'” Tani recounted in the interview series. “For a player, their own equipment is treated with great care and holds their focus, so I felt very honored.”
Shigeo Nagashima Applauded the Gesture from the Giants Bench
The borrowed glove not only served its purpose for the pitch but also caught the attention of Giants icon Shigeo Nagashima. Following the successful throwing sequence, Tani returned to the dugout where the legendary manager offered immediate praise for Matsui’s clubhouse awareness.
“When I went back to the bench, Nagashima greeted me by saying, ‘Yawara-chan, good job! Matsui-kun is the kind of guy who can do thoughtful things like this,'” Tani said. She noted that Matsui’s glove showed exceptional maintenance, cementing her impression of his professional discipline.
Connecting Past Childhood Judo Roots to the Yomiuri Giants Dugout
Tani also shared connections outside of baseball, noting that she frequently interacted with Matsui’s father at public events. According to Tani, Matsui’s father mentioned that the young slugger practiced judo during elementary school, prompting the judo champion to remark that Matsui might have pursued a career representing Japan internationally had he stuck with the sport.
Matsui’s appointment as Giants manager carries particular weight following the death of Nagashima—noting that Matsui quickly returned to Japan to visit the Nagashima family home. Tani expressed confidence that Matsui will embody the club’s traditional “Giants must be gentlemen” philosophy while meeting the high expectations of fans devoted to Nagashima’s legacy.
Ryoko Tani Athletic Record and Career Background
Born in Fukuoka on September 6, 1975, Tani began practicing judo in the second grade. Over a decorated international career, she captured 14 victories at the All-Japan Selected Weight-Class Championships, 12 titles at the Fukuoka International, and 7 World Championship gold medals.
At the Olympic Games, she medaled in five consecutive competitions: winning silver at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Games, gold at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games, and bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games. The International Judo Federation named her its best female judoka in 2011, and she entered the World Hall of Fame in 2013 before serving a term in the House of Councillors beginning in 2010.
