The Swallows slugger overcame obstacles and broke Japanese-born players' single-season home run record with considerable pressure heaped upon him.
The Tokyo Yakult Swallows infielder went 13 games without a homer before completing the season in style with a solo blast in the seventh inning.
The 22-year-old native of Kumamoto is hitting home runs at a record pace.
Returning Japanese standout athletes from four years ago spark optimism for an even better showing at the Beijing Olympics.
