Seibu Lions right-hander Hideaki Wakui won his first Sawamura Award on Monday after recording a Pacific League-leading 16 wins during the regular season.
Wakui led both the Pacific and Central Leagues for throwing 11 complete games, four of them shutouts, and 211 2/3 innings to earn the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award, traditionally given to the best pitcher in Japanese baseball.
"You don't get many chances to receive this award so I was sincerely glad when I first heard the news," said Wakui, who went 16-6 this season with a 2.30 ERA in 27 games.
"I was the only one who threw double-digit complete games and struck out many batters so I thought I had a chance of winning the award."