Kenta Maeda: "Even if I travel far away to the United States, I will continue to take care of my body and maintain peak performance as a top athlete."

2020.04.20

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Kenta Maeda

Born in Osaka on April 11, 1988. Graduated from PL Gakuen High School and joined the Hiroshima Toyo Carp as a first-round pick in the 2006 high school draft. He won the Sawamura Award in 2010 and 2015. He had double-digit wins for six consecutive years until 2015, and won numerous titles. In the offseason of 2015, he transferred to the Dodgers using the potting system. From his first year after the transfer, he advanced to the World Series for four consecutive years. In 2020, he transferred to the Twins.

What do you pay attention to when it comes to your diet and body building?

　Originally, I wasn't that concerned about my health. I would drink regular water and eat junk snacks when I was hungry. However, after getting married, I started to pay more attention to what I put into my body. My wife happens to be interested in inner beauty, and that's had a big influence on me. I have a weak stomach, so eating animal protein would make me feel unwell, but I switched to plant-based protein. I've been feeling better ever since.

　Also, since I often can't eat the meals I need when I'm away, I try to bring my favorite drinks, such as water, with me. Improving my physical condition has a positive effect on my daily health and on my baseball game. I rarely get cramps during games, and I recover from fatigue more easily.

Do you have a message for students?

　My student days were extremely tough. I endured tough dorm life and practice every day just to become a professional baseball player. But it's those days that have made me who I am today. Student years are a time when you can absorb a lot of things, so I hope you use your limited time to your full potential in each field and enjoy it to the fullest. Attending classes with friends, having fun, and time are things you can't go back even if you want to, so do your best to do the things you can only do now.

From the April 20, 2020 issue of the Student Newspaper (by Kouki Shima, second-year student at Nihon University)