Former wheelchair tennis world No. 1 Shingo Kunieda threw a ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium on June 21, 2026, as part of Uniqlo LifeWear Day — marking his first-ever visit to the ballpark.
Kunieda said during the press conference that he had been preparing for the moment well before arriving in Los Angeles. "I practiced for this first pitch and built up my arm back in Japan, so today I want to make sure I throw a strike," he stated. He noted that he had two throwing sessions before reaching the stadium. The preparation included a form adjustment: after injuring his shoulder in January 2026, Kunieda received pitching instruction from his tennis club's trainer, who guided him from an overhand delivery to a three-quarter arm slot.
That trainer carries a notable connection to the Dodgers — he is a former baseball trainer who, according to Kunieda, has a relationship with Shohei Ohtani. Kunieda also chose a meaningful piece of equipment for the occasion. Ichiro gifted Kunieda a glove during a conversation and catch session the two shared in the year Kunieda retired, a meeting arranged through their shared Uniqlo affiliation. Kunieda wore that glove for the ceremonial pitch. "Ichiro gave me that glove, so I wanted to wear it today when I throw," he added.
Kunieda explained that the Dodger Stadium appearance would have been unimaginable when he first signed a partnership with Uniqlo in 2009 — a relationship that later expanded to include athletes such as Roger Federer. "When I first signed that contract, this was something I never could have imagined," he acknowledged. "Being here at Dodger Stadium is truly the result of those connections." He also attended the previous day's game, describing a ninth-inning rally that he said made for an outstanding atmosphere at the ballpark.
On the broader value of sport, Kunieda mentioned that one of its greatest rewards is becoming a lifelong pursuit — something he said he believes holds true for children who play sports from a young age. Looking ahead, Kunieda noted that he is continuing to coach young wheelchair tennis players while also competing in wheelchair basketball, a sport he took up in the 2026 season. He said a match is scheduled for July 2026.