Shibuno Hinako Recharges with Famous Unagi During Brief Japan Visit
The Evian Championship, the fourth major championship, is now underway! She is currently on a roll, finishing 2nd in the U.S. Open and 7th in the U.S. PGA Championship!
Shibuno Hinako (25), who returned to Japan briefly, visited an unexpected place.
On an early July evening, Shibuno was seen at a famous eel restaurant in Shizuoka Prefecture. Dressed in Adidas sweatshirts and wearing glasses, she looked quite different from usual.
To recover from the fatigue of her battles in America, Shibuno enjoyed a meal of eel. After spending about an hour at the restaurant, she left with a noticeably relaxed expression. She then got into a car driven by an associate and drove away.
“On that day, Shibuno appeared at the opening pitch for a Japan-U.S. international softball friendly match in Shizuoka Prefecture. Afterward, she enjoyed Japanese food after a long time.
Shibuno returned to Japan at the beginning of July and left for France on the 7th for her next match. Although her stay in Japan was less than a week, the successful opening pitch and her smiling on the mound provided a good break for her.” (A sports newspaper reporter)
The confident expression Shibuno showed during her brief return to Japan likely reflects her improved performance on the course. Although she initially struggled, with six early exits in nine tournaments, she made a significant comeback. In May, she finished second at the U.S. Women’s Open and continued her strong performance with a seventh-place finish at the U.S. Women’s PGA Championship in June. Sports journalist Kim Myung-wook explains the reasons behind her resurgence:
“This season, Shibuno has been working with coach Akishi Tsujimura, who also trains Momoko Ueda. They made major changes, including revising her swing, adjusting the club shaft, and altering her practice routine. Initially, she struggled with these changes, but she has since found stability and is now able to execute a more confident swing. Shibuno herself mentioned feeling an increase in distance, noting that she has gained about 20 yards compared to earlier in the season. Last year’s average driving distance was 248 yards, but it has improved to 255 yards this season.”
Shibuno is currently competing in the fourth major of the season, the Amundi Evian Championship, which began on July 11. In August, she will face the AIG Women’s Open, where she won in 2019. With her improved swing adding stability to her natural explosiveness, her chances for a second major victory are looking promising.
“As she mentioned after the U.S. Women’s Open, feeling like a new chapter had begun and being in a very positive mindset, Shibuno has overcome her slump and is now mentally strong. With two major tournaments remaining, and a positive momentum, the possibility of winning is quite high.” (says Kim Myung-wook)
Having recharged in Japan, Shibuno is now fully prepared. Fans are eagerly anticipating another shining “Shibuko Smile” on the winner’s podium!
From the July 26/August 2, 2024 issue of FRIDAY
PHOTO： Shu Nishihara
