It looked like a scene straight out of a hit sports anime, but for millions of viewers online, it was a hilarious display of real-life sportsmanship. Japanese volleyball star Yuji Nishida has broken the internet—not with one of his signature 120 km/h spikes, but with the most dramatic apology in sports history. After accidentally pelting a female line judge with a wayward serve during the SV League All-Star Game on Sunday, Nishida performed an epic, full-court belly slide to beg for forgiveness, a move that has fans crowning him the king of funny volleyball videos 2026.
The Viral Moment: When a Serve Went Wrong
The incident occurred on February 1, 2026, at the Glion Arena in Kobe, Japan. Nishida, the 26-year-old captain of Osaka Bluteon and a fan favorite on the Japanese national team, was participating in a halftime skills challenge dubbed "Serve Struck Out." The goal was to hit specific targets on the court with his powerful left-handed serve.
However, one of his rockets veered off course, bypassing the targets and slamming directly into a female staff member stationed on the sidelines. While the judge was fortunately unharmed, the collective gasp from the crowd was audible. In most professional sports, a simple wave of apology would suffice. But Nishida, known for his high energy and passionate play, decided that a standard "sorry" wouldn't cut it.
The 'Dogeza' Slide Heard 'Round the World
Reacting with lightning speed, Nishida sprinted across the court and launched himself onto his stomach. In a move that defied friction, he performed a perfect Yuji Nishida belly slide, gliding under the net and skidding all the way to the judge's feet. He didn't stop there.
While still sliding, Nishida kept his head down and hands at his sides, transitioning smoothly into a kneeling position to perform a dogeza—a traditional Japanese deep bow used to express profound apology or regret. The Japanese sportsmanship viral moment was capped off when the judge, laughing and unhurt, bowed back to the prostrate superstar. The entire arena erupted in applause and laughter, witnessing what commentators immediately dubbed "legendary."
Internet Reacts: "Peak Anime Energy"
The clip quickly migrated from the broadcast to X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, racking up over 8.5 million views in just 48 hours. Fans immediately noted the similarity to the exaggerated reactions often seen in popular volleyball anime series like Haikyuu!!.
"This is absolute anime energy in real life," wrote one user. "He didn't just apologize; he turned remorse into an Olympic sport." Another comment that garnered thousands of likes joked, "Yuji Nishida has set the bar too high. If my partner doesn't slide across the floor to apologize like this, I don't want it."
More Than Just a Funny Athlete Fail
While the video is being shared as one of the top funny athlete fails of the year, it also highlights the unique charm of the SV League's All-Star festivities. The event is designed to be a celebration of the sport, allowing players to show their personalities beyond the intense competition of the regular season.
Despite the mishap, Nishida's performance on the court was just as impressive as his theatrics. He led his team to a dominant 3-0 victory and was named the match's Most Valuable Player (MVP). It has been a whirlwind few months for the star opposite spiker, who also recently celebrated the birth of his first child with wife and fellow volleyball icon Sarina Koga in late 2025.
Setting a New Standard for Sportsmanship
The Yuji Nishida judge hit incident serves as a wholesome reminder that professional sports are entertainment at their core. In an era where athlete behavior is often scrutinized for negativity, Nishida’s ability to turn a potentially painful accident into a moment of shared joy and humility is refreshing.
As the video continues to circulate globally, one thing is certain: the next time a volleyball player sends a ball into the stands, a simple wave isn't going to cut it. The "Nishida Slide" is now the gold standard for on-court apologies.
