Osaka Bluteon star Yuji Nishida’s errant serve at a Kobe volleyball exhibition turned into a viral moment thanks to his slide-and-bow apology.
Straight out of anime.A lighthearted moment during a volleyball exhibition in Japan has gone viral after Yuji Nishida issued an unforgettable apology on the court.
The Osaka Bluteon star was taking part in a halftime serving challenge at a volleyball all-star event in Kobe, western Japan, when his left-handed serve sailed wide and struck a female judge in the back.
The 26-year-old opposite hitter dropped to the floor, slid across the court on his stomach, and bowed deeply in apology—then knelt and bowed again, making sure the “sorry” landed harder than the serve. The judge, clearly amused and unharmed, returned the bow, and the arena erupted in laughter and applause.
“Wish Haikyuu would adapt this as a reference moment,” a social media netizen joked.
“What a class act and such a cute gesture of apologizing,” added another.
Nishida didn’t let the mishap define his day. He helped guide his side to a 3–0 win in the exhibition match and walked away with Most Valuable Player honors.
Off the court, Nishida celebrated with his wife, former Japan national team captain Sarina Koga, cherishing a milestone as first-time parents.
Watch the video here:
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Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.