The Tigers, Japan's much-loved baseball team, won the championship for the first time since 1985 by defeating the Orix Buffaloes in the final game of a seven-game series. This victory ended the "Curse of the Colonel," a superstition that said the Tigers would never win again after fans threw a plastic statue of Colonel Sanders into the river the last time they won.

One devoted fan, Yuko Kawase, who attends many games each season, said it felt like a dream. She reflected on the 38 years since their last win and remembered fans she knew who have passed away. Despite police warnings about the dirty river, fans jumped in to celebrate, echoing cheers each time. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, but sadly, one person died in 2003 after diving in during a previous celebration.

Hiroshi Okamoto expressed his happiness and the desire to celebrate this long-awaited victory with everyone. The Tigers, extremely popular in Osaka, have a history of underachievement, unlike their rival, the Yomiuri Giants, who have won the Japan Series 22 times.

This year, the Tigers broke the pattern by defeating the defending champion Buffaloes in seven games. Yoko Sakai, a Tigers fan, praised their teamwork and connected style of play.

Source: France 24