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Giants infielder Naoki Yoshikawa, aged 29, and singer-songwriter Kana Adachi, 25, have announced their marriage on December 28th, shocking fans with the sudden news. Both hail from Gifu, marking the union of a big sports and entertainment couple as the year ends.
Yoshikawa, from Hashima City in Gifu, had an impressive season, playing all 143 games for the first time. He achieved career highs with a .287 batting average, 5 home runs, and 46 RBIs.
His stellar defensive performance at second base earned him his first Golden Glove award.
Yoshikawa's strong presence in the Giants’ lineup, especially during the intense season finale, was crucial to their success, working alongside Kazuhiro Okamoto.
Adachi Kana, from Kaizu City in Gifu, rose to fame after winning the grand prize at the 2014 LINE Audition at just 15 years old. Her incredible vocal talent earned her recognition from over 120,000 applicants.
Adachi, a lifelong Giants fan influenced by her grandfather, also played baseball in elementary school and softball in junior high.
In 2022, she served as the "GIANTS SUMMER GIRL" to boost excitement for the Giants' home games, expressing admiration for Yoshikawa, particularly his connection to her childhood memories.
In September, Yoshikawa suffered a rib fracture after evading an inside pitch but is recovering well.
He missed the final stages of the season and withdrew from the Samurai Japan's Premier 12 team.
Looking ahead to next season, he remains determined to lead the team to another league victory and championship.
Yoshikawa signed a three-year contract with the Giants, earning an estimated 200 million yen annually, and with his lifelong love for the team and a new life partner, expectations for his continued success are high. The year 2024 ends on a high note with this exciting announcement.