It all began with a celebration gone wrong. In 1985, Hanshin Tigers fans, celebrating a surprise victory, decided to toss a plastic statue of Colonel Sanders into the Dōtonbori River. This act reportedly angered the spirit of the KFC founder, leading to what became known as the Curse of the Colonel.
After their success in the 1985 series, the Hanshin Tigers began an 18-year losing streak placing last or next-to-last in the league. Fans believed the curse was in effect, blaming their team's misfortunes on the Colonel's displeasure over his statue's treatment.
Despite attempts to recover the statue, including divers and dredging, it remained lost for years. When the Tigers reached the Japan Series in 2003, excitement soared. But they lost again, further fueling the superstition.
The situation escalated with a tragic incident in 2003 when a fan drowned during a celebration. To prevent future accidents, safety measures were implemented, highlighting the wild celebrations surrounding the team.
In 2009, divers finally found the Colonel in the river. Initially mistaken for a barrel, they quickly identified it as the lost statue. However, it was incomplete, missing critical parts like glasses and a hand. Fans believed they needed to return these items to lift the curse.
In 2023, after years of disappointment, the Tigers won the Japan Series. Celebrations erupted anew, including a symbolic toss of a fan dressed as Colonel Sanders into the river. The curse had seemingly been broken.
In 2024, KFC Japan held a burial ceremony for the statue, marking the end of a bizarre chapter in sports superstition.
