In a hilarious moment that has been widely shared online, Japanese player Yuji Nishida displayed magnificent sliding skills, taking a traditional apology to the extreme after he inadvertently hit a linesman with the ball over the weekend.
The 26-year-old, who was taking part in a service challenge at the half-time break at a volleyball "all-star" event in Kobe, western Japan, appeared terrified when his left-handed serve went out of bounds and hit the female umpire squarely in the back.
By the time the referee, who was uninjured, regained his composure, Nishida's 186cm body was sliding rapidly towards her on the ground, head down and hands at his sides, drawing laughter and applause from spectators and his teammates.
But Nishida didn't stop there. He knelt down and continued to bow repeatedly, at one point even clasping his hands together. The bows continued even after he stood up, prompting a similar gesture from the judge, who smiled, somewhat embarrassed.
Footage of the scene has attracted millions of views on social media. One fan called Nishida's action a "work of art," while another said his "sliding prowess" resembled a human form of curling.
A Japanese volleyball player is going viral for his dramatic apology after hitting someone with his serve
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TV commentators wondered if the friction had burned the Osaka Blueton captain's head, while another compared his appearance to that of a "freshly landed tuna."
Far from the moment that was seen around the world, Nishida also shone on the field, helping his team to a 3-0 victory and winning the tournament MVP award, according to "AbemaTV", the broadcasting service that covered the tournament.
Even in a country where a sincere apology carries a lot of weight, Nishida's "mea culpa" was an extreme example.
The most exaggerated form in Japanese culture is dogeza, which can also be used to express deep respect.
When used as an apology, the person at fault lies on the ground and bows until their forehead touches the floor between their hands.
Although the doge is rarely seen in public, politicians involved in scandals have used equally theatrical gestures to communicate their remorse./Express newspaper/
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