Takeshima Wins Gold At Canada Summer Games

Windsor — For 15-year-old Akira Rei Takeshima, winning gold at the Canada Summer Games wasn’t just a career milestone — it was a landmark moment for women’s baseball in Canada.

“It was very amazing that Canada Games finally had women's baseball there,” Takeshima said. “It opened a lot of opportunities for girls who are just starting in getting into baseball as well.”

Representing Team Ontario, Takeshima was one of just 16 athletes selected from over 50 hopefuls at tryouts. A Grade 10 student at École secondaire L’Essor, she has been playing baseball for nearly 13 years — much of it with boys’ teams.

“I've been playing with boys ever since I was 9 years old,” Takeshima said. “It amps up the challenge a little bit.”

She was one of only two players from the Windsor-Essex region to make the Ontario squad and caught a ball in left field to secure gold in Newfoundland.

More Than Just Baseball

“Newfoundland's a very beautiful place and honestly, the experience was just amazing.,” she said. “There was a lot to do, we met so many new people, and even did pin trading with other provinces. It was a lot of fun, but also super inspiring.”

Pushing Boundaries at Home

Back home, Takeshima is already focused on her next challenge — cracking the roster of the Tecumseh Thunder U16 boys’ team, where she’d be the first girl to do so. She recently made the second cut and is still in camp.

She’s also playing fall ball with a Canadian all-boys travel team called the Blue Jays, which competes in the U.S.

Big League Goals

Looking ahead, Takeshima has her sights set on the soon-to-launched (in 2026) Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL).

“The ultimate goal is to get into the WPBL.” she said. "I would love to play in the Olympics as well (expected to return in 2028)."

Leadership On and Off the Field

A true utility player — outfielder, second base, pitcher, catcher — Takeshima helped her boys' high school team win the WECSSA championship last year.

“I’d love to go to OFSAA next year,” she said. “I want to experience the opportunity.”

Takeshema is driven and played for three different teams this season without missing a training session with Myles Miller, a former Seattle Mariners prospect. He has trained Takeshima since she was nine years old.

“She has an open mind and is willing to learn,” Miller said. "It's rare to have someone around that youngers girls are looking up to. A lot of the guys too look up to her as well. It's great to see how much she's grown in the time I've known her".