Rakuten Girls' US Trip Marred by Theft; Cheerleaders Perform Despite Incident

A group of Taiwanese cheerleaders, the Rakuten Girls, faced a distressing incident during their trip to the United States for a "Taiwan Day" event with the Seattle Mariners. While attending a meal after their performance on May 30, members discovered that the window of their parked work vehicle had been broken, and personal items, including makeup bags and passports, were stolen.

Despite the shock and loss, the Rakuten Girls, including members Dai Ying, Ruo Tong, Bei Jia Yi, Hui Ni, and Xiong Ni, demonstrated resilience. They overcame the psychological impact of the event and proceeded with their scheduled performance at the Mariners' home stadium. Their energetic routine, which included a surprise collaboration with the "San Tai Zi" (Third Prince) character, captivated the audience and successfully promoted Taiwanese cheerleading culture and the charm of Taiwanese baseball internationally.

Following the performance, team members shared their experiences and expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by local organizations. Dai Ying admitted to being frightened by the incident but found the experience worthwhile upon seeing the enthusiastic support from Taiwanese fans waving their national flags. Ruo Tong also thanked the audience for their applause and smiles.

Hui Ni, despite losing her makeup bag, highlighted the strong support and care among teammates, which contributed to a successful performance. Xiong Ni emphasized their commitment to professionalism, vowing to present their best selves to overseas Chinese and fans regardless of any crisis. Bei Jia Yi shared her excitement about the unique American-style cheering and the positive experience of mutual support within the group.