Health and Well-being Week
‘Performance under pressure’ by Dutch Baseball legend Rick van den Hurk
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Rick van den Hurk shares insights and experiences based on 20 years of professional sports experience as a professional baseball player in America, Korea and Japan. The lecture offers an in-depth insight into the concept of 'performing under pressure', with an emphasis on developing a robust mindset and learning the core principles of human performance.
Recorded video available
Discussion
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | To be determined |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.06.27[Fri]
13:00 ～ 14:45
(Venue Open 13:00)
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- Venue
- Others (Inside Venue)
- Pop-Up Stage North
Programme details
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Dutch baseball legend Rick van den Hurk will deliver a powerful keynote on mastering performance under pressure. Drawing on a 20-year international career, Rick shares his personal journey and introduces practical mental training techniques—used by top athletes—to improve focus, resilience, and wellbeing. Following the keynote, attendees will join a special interactive session led by Rick and Japanese baseball icon Seiichi Uchikawa, who reunite to demonstrate hands-on techniques for mental and physical wellness. Together, they will guide participants through exercises such as visualization, breathing, and body-mind coordination, making elite performance tools accessible to all.
This event is part of the Health and Wellbeing thematic week at Expo 2025, aligning with the sub-theme “Empowering Lives.” In a world shaped by health challenges and change, this session offers visitors insight into how mental strength supports not only athletic success but also healthy, vibrant living at any age.
Learn from the best to bring out the best in yourself—whether you’re a student, professional, parent, or retiree. By sharing high-performance routines in an open and accessible format, this program contributes to the Expo’s vision of a society where people live longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives. It’s not only about athletic excellence—it’s about empowering everyone to thrive under pressure and protect what matters most: life itself.
Reports
【Reflection】
Dutch baseball legend Rick van den Hurk delivered a highly anticipated public lecture titled "Performance Under Pressure." Drawing from his 20-year career as a professional player in the U.S., Korea, and Japan, Rick passionately and clearly shared key insights into mental strategies and how to enhance performance at the highest level. Practical techniques such as visualization and mindfulness captivated the audience and held their full attention.
Adding to the excitement was a special guest appearance by Japan’s own baseball veteran, Seiichi Uchikawa. This rare and dynamic collaboration between two legends of Dutch and Japanese baseball brought tremendous energy to the event. During the session, they led the audience through interactive exercises filled with laughter and surprise, creating a strong sense of connection throughout the venue.
After the lecture, a meet-and-greet with photo opportunities and autograph signing made for an unforgettable experience for fans.
With its rich content and high participant satisfaction, the event was a resounding success that left a lasting impression on everyone who attended.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Building on this lecture, we aim to share approaches to mental training and healthy living with a wider audience. To begin with, we are planning to introduce simple methods such as breathing techniques, visualisation, and ways to bring the mind and body into balance, in formats that can be easily adopted in daily life.
We will also organise practical workshops for a wide range of groups, including students, working professionals, parents, and older people. These sessions will provide useful techniques to reduce stress and improve concentration, helping participants to strengthen both mental and physical wellbeing. Through such efforts, we hope to respond more effectively to the growing health challenges of modern society.
In addition, drawing on the long history of sporting exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands, we will work to share knowledge and experience related to health and wellbeing, and to deepen cooperation between the two countries. A particular focus will be placed on developing joint educational programmes for younger generations, with the aim of supporting their growth and contributing to healthier local communities.
These initiatives are in line with the vision of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai – Designing Future Society for Our Lives – and are expected to contribute to building a society in which people of all ages can live with vitality, health, and peace of mind.
Cast
Moderator
Martijn Heule
Trade Officer Expo, Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
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Speakers
Rick van den Hurk
Former Professional Baseball Player (MLB & KBO & NPB)
A Dutch pitcher with international experience in MLB, KBO, and NPB. Rick van den Hurk is a former professional baseball pitcher who competed under extreme pressure in top leagues around the world. Having pitched in stadiums of up to 65,000 fans, he developed exceptional skills in stress management, resilience, and cross-cultural adaptation. Now active as a performance consultant, Rick helps individuals and teams strengthen mental focus, navigate high-pressure environments, and build lasting personal and professional resilience.
Through personal storytelling, high-touch engagement, and deep cultural insight, Rick transforms performance whether on the field or in the boardroom.
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Seiichi Uchikawa
Former Professional Baseball Player (NPB – SoftBank Hawks, Yokohama BayStars)
A legendary Japanese hitter with an outstanding career in Nippon Professional Baseball. Renowned for his precise batting technique and leadership on the field.
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Health and Well-being Week
‘Performance under pressure’ by Dutch Baseball legend Rick van den Hurk
Rick van den Hurk shares insights and experiences based on 20 years of professional sports experience as a professional baseball player in America, Korea and Japan. The lecture offers an in-depth insight into the concept of 'performing under pressure', with an emphasis on developing a robust mindset and learning the core principles of human performance.
-
2025.06.27[Fri]
13:00～14:45
(Venue Open 13:00)
- Others (Inside Venue)
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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