Hiroshima Carp’s Shōsei Nakamura Embraces Strength Training: “I’m Enjoying It” as He Targets a Full Season in the First Team

Hiroshima Carp outfielder Shōsei Nakamura, 27, took part in the team's fall workouts at Mazda Stadium on October 16, identifying physical conditioning as his main priority this autumn.

After struggling at the start of the season, Nakamura appeared in only 58 first-team games. He has yet to complete an entire season at the top level, and he is determined to establish himself as a true everyday regular.

With manager Takahiro Arai emphasizing the need to improve the team's overall physical strength, Nakamura is working to raise his own level as well.

He spent the morning taking powerful swings before devoting the afternoon to strength training in the weight room. As the Carp focus on improving their physical conditioning this fall, the position players are gradually establishing their training routines. Nakamura, in particular, looked upbeat, saying simply, “I’m enjoying it.”

There is a good reason for his enthusiasm: this is his first opportunity in two years to devote an entire autumn to intensive training.

Immediately after last season ended, Nakamura underwent surgery on his right ankle. As a result, much of his offseason was spent rehabilitating the injury rather than building strength.

This year, he can finally focus on his development without that limitation.

“I was playing through pain all the time, but after the surgery, the pain was gone. At first, I wasn't used to that, but I've gradually adjusted,” he said.

Nakamura opened this season in the No. 2 spot in the batting order, but his struggles continued, and he was sent down to the farm team for further adjustments on three separate occasions. He ultimately finished with 58 first-team appearances, a .241 batting average, four home runs, and 13 RBIs.

“I struggled at the plate this year, and I don't want to make the same mistakes next year,” he said.

He intends to focus particularly on his hitting while preserving the elements of his approach that are already working.

“I want to put extra emphasis on my batting without changing the things I shouldn't change. On top of that, there's the physical side, so I want to figure out how to connect the two.”

Manager Arai has made improving the team's fundamental physical power a central theme of both the fall workouts and the upcoming fall camp.

Nakamura understands why that matters. Last season, he set a career high by appearing in 104 games, yet he has never managed to play an entire season with the first team.

“I still haven't proven that I can get through a whole season. I played only about half the season last year, but even that was tough, and I couldn't do it this year either. I especially need to work on the stamina required to keep playing throughout the entire season.”

On the second day of fall workouts at Mazda Stadium, Nakamura practiced hitting both on the field and in the indoor training facility during the morning. In the afternoon, he completed a trainer-designed weightlifting program focused on his upper body.

Whether he will join the team for fall camp has yet to be decided. One thing is certain, however: this autumn will be devoted to getting stronger.

Nakamura intends to push his body to the limit and return next season a stronger, more physically capable player.