Miu Goto: Softball star receives Japan Diamond League awards, sets sights on LA28 Olympics

Japan softball sensation Miu Goto was the star of the JD.League 2023 Awards ceremony held in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture. The 22-year-old left handed pitcher received the MVP award for the West Division, along with the best ERA (0.83) and best win-loss record (14-1) in the regular season. She was also named in the West Division best team. 

Goto dominated the JD.League 2023 season, leading her Toyota Red Terriers to their first ever JD.League title, and first Japanese league crown in five years. The Terriers defeated arch-rivals Bic Camera Takasaki Bee Queen, 2-0, in the final of the Diamond Series.

The Japanese ace, who helped her team win a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and silver at The World Games 2022, is expected to lead the Japanese National Team in the next few years, with next year's WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals in Italy, the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, and the LA28 Olympics as her main goals. 

Asked about her numbers this season and the challenges ahead, Goto never doubted: "I want to keep improving, I want to be better," she said during the awarding ceremony.

In the East Division, Kanna Kudo was the MVP and also the best hitter of the season, with a .409 batting average. She was named the shortstop of the division's best team. 

International players also left their footprint on the season. Jailyn Ford, who earned a gold medal at The World Games 2022 with USA, had the best ERA (1.34) and the best record (11-2) in the East Division playing for Honda. Meanwhile, Italian Olympian Erika Piancastelli (SG Holdings) tied as the home run queen of the season with nine.

During the ceremony, the Japanese National Team was recognised for their sixth consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games.