"Dreams Come True Again: Korean-Rooted Kyoto International High School Advances to Koshien for Second Consecutive Year"

Aiming for a Second Consecutive National Championship

Kyoto International High School, a Korean ethnic school in Japan, is aiming for its second consecutive victory at the Japanese National High School Baseball Championship, commonly known as the "Summer Koshien."

According to local media outlets such as NHK and Kyoto Shimbun on July 27, Kyoto International High School defeated Toba High School 4-3 in the final of the "107th National High School Baseball Championship Kyoto Tournament" held that day, securing its second consecutive championship and fourth overall title. After conceding two runs in the first inning, Kyoto International High School trailed 1-3 until the seventh inning. The team caught up by scoring two runs in the eighth inning and then took the lead in the ninth, ultimately winning 4-3.

Ace pitcher Ikki Nishimura pitched a complete game, striking out 12 batters. Last year, when Kyoto International High School won the national championship, he also recorded 24 scoreless innings over four games.

With this victory, Kyoto International High School has earned a spot in the national tournament, which will be held from August 5 to 22 at Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

Last year, Kyoto International High School won its first-ever championship by defeating Kanto Daiichi High School, representing Tokyo, 2-1 in extra innings in the Summer Koshien final. At the time, the victory of Kyoto International High School, a small school with only about 20 years of baseball history, was described as a miracle.

On August 23 last year, after winning 2-1 in the final of the National High School Baseball Championship (Summer Koshien) held at Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, players from Kyoto International High School, a Korean international school, rushed to the mound and cheered. Photo by Yonhap News