2. Ueno Yukiko, Softball – Japan
Like Krouch, softball superstar Ueno Yukiko is another legend of her sport, ready to cause a stir in PR China.
The 43-year-old has forged her reputation as one of the all-time greats, thanks to her two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2020), and inspired performances at the Games.
At Athens 2004, where Japan won bronze, she threw a perfect game against PR China. Four years later, at Beijing 2008, the Japanese star gained national hero status after throwing 413 pitches across three games in the last two days of the competition.
Hopes will be high that Ueno can turn out another star performance for her country when Japan gets underway in the women’s softball competition from 13-17 August in Chengdu.
In its three past appearances at The World Games, the US has emerged victorious, meaning victory in PR China would be historic for the Japanese – and would surely look good on Ueno’s already glittering resume.