Dutch Baseball legend Rick van den Hurk to share his secrets at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Rick van den Hurk, former Dutch professional baseball pitcher —who played in the U.S., Korea, and Japan—will deliver a keynote speech at the Netherlands Pavilion in Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan on Thursday, June 26, during an invitation-based business event on Life Sciences & Healthcare. Then on Friday, June 27, he will appear at the Pop-up Stage (North) to offer a public talk and interactive session open to all Expo visitors, together with a former teammate Seiichi Uchikawa. 

Uchikawa en Van den Hurk

Drawing on three decades of professional experience, Rick will not only share his personal insights but also demonstrate practical training techniques for mental and physical wellness.

“This event is priceless to me—it’s a way of giving back to Japan. I want to share what I’ve learned about handling pressure and staying relaxed in tough moments. When you make mental training a daily habit, high performance becomes sustainable. And this applies to people of all ages, not just athletes.”

 “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” is the theme of Expo 2025.  From June 20 to July 1, a special sub-theme of "Health and Wellbeing" will be highlighted, with events focused on healthcare and wellness across various pavilions. His speech and performance are a part of this initiative.

This training program includes mental visualization, meditation, journaling, reading, and physical exercises. Rick and Uchikawa will guide attendees through an engaging experience. 

Uchikawa is one of the most legendary batters in the history of Japanese baseball, is the only among two players ever to have won the batting title in both the Central League and the Pacific League. He knows better than anyone what it takes to perform under pressure.

During an interactive clinic, Rick and Uchikawa will show how you can work on your health through movement, discipline, and fun. This is not a passive program: join in, move along, and let yourself be motivated by this unique Dutch-Japanese collaboration!

Rick calls out, “If you feel pressure from others, struggle with nerves before exams, or just want to boost your performance—whether you're a child, student, manager, or senior—this session is for you. I’m looking forward to connecting with all of you!”

Lecture: Performance under pressure by Rick van den Hurk

Date: June 27th, 2025

Time: 13:00-14:45

Place: Pop-up Stage (North) at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan