On July 11, 2022, The M-League 2022-23 Draft took place. The event was livestreamed on YouTube (requires VPN) and the results were also put up on Twitter and the official M-League website.
U-Next Pirates 1st Pick: Suzuki Yu (鈴木優)
Professional Organization: Saikouisen
Pro League: A1
Titles: 46th Saikoui
For the U-Next Pirates‘ first pick, they chose Suzuki Yu (鈴木優) from Saikouisen. Suzuki Yu has been in the spotlight this past year after winning the Saikouisen league title. Previously, he was also in the final 16 of the Mahjong Saikyousen.
Yu had so many emotions at the time that he had trouble gathering his thoughts, but thanked everyone for the congratulations.
Later, he appeared on a Saikouisen stream where they celebrated his drafting.
Kadokawa Sakura Knights 1st Pick: Shibukawa Nanba (渋川難波)
Professional Organization: NPM
Pro League: A1
Titles: 20th Mahjong King, 11th Mahjong Dragon, 16th Nihon Open
For the Kadokawa Sakura Knights‘ pick, they chose Shibukawa Nanba (渋川難波) from Nihon Pro Mahjong (NPM). Shibukawa is a familiar face to those who watch M-League, being a commentator for the league for the past two seasons. His strength at the mahjong table has been proven through his NPM league games, where he is the current NPM League title holder. In addition, he won the 20th Mahjong King Tournament, the 11th Mahjong Dragon Tournament and the 16th Nihon Open.
Upon hearing the news, Shibukawa chose to express his gratitude with a simple “Arigatou Gozaimasu!!!”
Soon after, he hosted a celebratory livestream.
U-Next Pirates 2nd Pick: Nakabayashi Kei (仲林圭)
Professional Organization: NPM
Pro League: A1
Titles: 29th Dragon King, 10th Mahjong Dragon, 7th Autumn Challenge Cup
For the Pirates’ 2nd pick, they went with Nakabayashi Kei (仲林圭) from Nihon Pro Mahjong (NPM). Nakabayashi is the current Dragon King title holder. The title win wasn’t just a one-time event, as he is currently an NPM A1-Leaguer, as well as winning the 10th Mahjong Dragon tournament and the 7th Autumn Challenge Cup.
For the draft, Nakabayashi was streaming the results and reacting to them. When his name was called, He cheered and repeatedly sayid “Maji!?” (No way! Really!? Seriously!?)
And those are the three newest M-Leaguers! Congratulations to Suzuki Yu, Shibukawa Nanba and Nakabayashi Kei for being drafted! How will they do in the league? How well will their teams do? What strategies will their opponents use to beat them? As always, we’ll just have to wait and see!
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