Taiwanese cheerleading star Ying Le wins Tokyo Dome popularity contest

Taiwanese cheerleading sensation Ying Le, a member of the Rakuten Girls from Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), has captured the hearts of Japanese fans, winning the "Yanmaga Cup" popularity championship at Tokyo Dome. The victory was announced on June 22 during the "Rakuten Super Baseball Game," a cross-border project co-created by the Rakuten Girls and Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine.

Ying Le, who participated in a two-week fan vote, expressed her astonishment at achieving such a high honor. "My mind went blank the moment I knew I won the championship," she said. "I didn't expect such an outstanding result. I told myself that just being able to participate was fortunate." She shared her excitement about realizing her dream at the iconic Tokyo Dome.

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My mind went blank the moment I knew I won the championship. I didn't expect such an outstanding result. I told myself that just being able to participate was fortunate.

The event featured a joint performance by the Rakuten Girls and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' cheerleading squad, the Tohoku Golden Angels. Ying Le and runner-up Kaho Takahashi participated in a ceremonial first pitch. Reflecting on her experience, Ying Le noted the distinct differences between cheerleading in Taiwan and Japan. "When we cheer in Taiwan, we are usually very close to the fans, so we focus on interacting with the fans in front of us," she explained. "But this time at the Tokyo Dome, we were farther from the fans, so the girls worked hard to keep up with the Golden Angels, amplifying our movements so that the fans could feel our passion."

The presence of Taiwanese fans who traveled to Japan specifically to support her deeply moved Ying Le. Her success in the "Yanmaga Cup" not only highlights her individual popularity but also brings recognition to Taiwanese cheerleading on an international stage, showcasing the dedication and energy of the Rakuten Girls.

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When we cheer in Taiwan, we are usually very close to the fans, so we focus on interacting with the fans in front of us. But this time at the Tokyo Dome, we were farther from the fans, so the girls worked hard to keep up with the Golden Angels, amplifying our movements so that the fans could feel our passion.