Sankei Sports Special Edition "Marugoto Swallows" No. 87 Featuring Interviews with Opening Dash Stars Iwata and Hirosawa, to be Released on May 12

Sankei Sports (published by Sankei Shimbun Co., Ltd.) will release its special edition "Marugoto Swallows" No. 87 on Tuesday, May 12. The feature includes interviews with Koki Iwata, a player, and Yu Hirosawa, a pitcher, both promising talents from the development league who are supporting the strong opening dash of Ikeyama's Yakult Swallows. They talk about their hardships until their promotion to the first team and their aspirations for this season.

## Lead Interview: Koki Iwata (Batter)

Iwata, now in his fifth professional year, has been a regular starter since the beginning of this season, recording a league-leading 11 stolen bases (as of May 7). He spoke extensively about his aspirations for this season and the efforts he has continued since the offseason.

## Closing Interview: Yu Hirosawa (Pitcher)

Hirosawa, in his second professional year, earned a full contract in March this year. He revealed the struggles and hardships behind his rise from the development league and his continued success.

"MaruSwa" is packed with Yakult information that only it can offer!

- Manager Takahiro Ikeyama talks about the team's current situation and thoughts in "Bunbun Maru: Reading the Wind."
- Columns by pitcher Yasuhiro Ogawa and infielder Hideki Nagaoka.
- "Answer, Swallows Warriors," where various players answer questions on given themes.
- Reader presents with all autographed items.
- Tsubakuro Photo Gallery, full of Tsubakuro.

Format: Tabloid size using high-quality paper, all color, 32 pages.
Price: 650 yen (tax included).
Sales locations: Major convenience stores in 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba), Sankei Shimbun sales offices, Sanspo e-shop, and other related baseball team locations.
Online sales: Sanspo e-shop: https://www.sanspo-eshop.com/
Inquiries: Sankei Sports Sales Department, Phone: 03-3275-8845 (Weekdays 10:00-17:00).