Japanese volleyball player hits judge by mistake, apology video goes viral, his name is…

A brief incident at an athletic competition has transformed into a powerful example of how to apologize. A quick gesture on the court has captured the internet’s heart, sparking widespread conversation and smiles. According to The Guardian, the 1.87-meter-tall opposite hitter has become an online sensation for showing what a sincere apology looks like.

During a halftime serving contest at an all-star volleyball game in Kobe, Japan, the 26-year-old athlete had an unfortunate accident. His left-handed shot missed the target and struck a female official directly in the back. The player looked completely shocked and deeply concerned immediately after the stray ball hit her.

To show he was sorry, Nishida performed a dramatic belly-slide across the floor toward the official. This display of humility has earned him massive praise from fans worldwide.

Yuji Nishida’s response was instant and creative. He lowered his head and dove onto the floor, gliding on his belly toward the judge. Upon reaching her, he dropped to his knees and bowed multiple times to express his regret, a gesture the official kindly returned with her own bow.

Where is the video?

japanese volleyball player makes the most genuine apology after accidentally hitting someone with his serve pic.twitter.com/YlfLtLnupY

— Shibetoshi Nakamoto (@BillyM2k) February 1, 2026

Aside from the worldwide attention, Nishida steered his squad to a decisive 3-0 win and earned the MVP award, as reported by AbemaTV. A clip of the 26-year-old’s dramatic apology has already pulled in over 8.5 million views on X in less than a day, winning over fans across the globe.