SEA Games 2025: Kyoji Ito makes pitch for greater heights

Kyoji Ito, who is making his SEA Games debut in Bangkok, hopes to achieve greater heights in his sport. Photo: SportSG/Jeremy Lee

Baseball has always been a ubiquitous presence in Kyoji Ito’s life. Growing up in Tokyo, where the sport is hugely popular, and having a father who played the sport, it was not long before Ito himself picked up the glove aged six. 

“I played in primary school all the way to high school and as I went along, I realised I had become a baseball player too,” said Ito, who has a Japanese father and Singaporean mother. 

Since then, his passion for the sport has only continued to grow. After completing his national service in May, the 21-year-old made his first breakthrough when he joined professional Japanese team Bibai Black Diamonds that same month to compete in the Hokkaido Frontier League. 

Now making his SEA Games debut in Thailand, Ito’s role has been pivotal for the team. His explosive pitching helped Singapore earn crucial victories against Vietnam and Laos, and take it to the wire with hosts and defending silver medallists Thailand. 

While the team were disappointed by the narrow 6-4 loss to Thailand on Dec 9, Ito and his teammates instead focused on the positives and used those lessons to bounce back with a 14-7 win over Causeway rivals Malaysia the next day. 

Ito said: “It was a close and tough game, but it brought us together and made us strong individually and as a team. 

“Experiencing such tight games is a blessing and that experience is going to help us against Indonesia. It’s not going to be easy, but we are going to do our best to win the bronze for Singapore.”

The men's baseball team regroup during one of their round-robin matches at the 33rd SEA Games. Photo: SportSG/ Jeremy Lee

The men’s baseball team’s final round-robin match against Indonesia is on Dec 11, while they are also expected to compete against the same opponents in the bronze medal match on Dec 12 at the Queen Sirikit Sports Center.  

Baseball has brought Ito not just friends, but also imparted valuable lessons such as the importance of preparing well and never giving up. 

He said: “No matter what scenario you’re in, if you never give up, things will happen – I believe that in sports and in life too. 

“When you have worked hard during training, and we perform well during the game, it’s the feeling of knowing that your hard work pays off that I enjoy.

“Being able to play for my nation together with my friends is something I’m very grateful for.”

After the SEA Games, Ito will return to Hokkaido to continue playing for the Bibai Black Diamonds, while earning a part-time degree in economics at Nihon University. 

He said: “I want to go as high as I can in baseball. I just love the sport a lot and I’m always wanting to get better at it. That’s the best thing I can give to Singapore baseball.” 

The 33rd SEA Games are held in Thailand from 9 to 20 December 2025. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.