Baidu Inc. announced a new edition of its “Simeji Ranking,” based on an in-app survey conducted among users of its customizable kaomoji keyboard app Simeji for iOS and Android. The theme this time is Gen Z’s picks for the “Top 10 Athletes They Would Want as Romantic Partners.” The survey was conducted from April 28 to May 11, 2026, with 1,726 valid responses from men and women aged 16 to 29. The rankings include a wide range of athletes, from top competitors active on the global stage to those who have attracted attention for their performances and personalities. The results suggest that Gen Z values not only looks such as being “cool” or “cute,” but also qualities associated with an ideal partner, such as seeming sincere, kind, reassuring, or protective. Many athletes whose off-field personalities and atmosphere are well known through social media and media appearances also ranked highly, indicating that being someone fans want to support is another important factor. For this theme, Simeji created two separate Top 10 lists: one for male athletes and one for female athletes. The results highlight different appeal points and views on romance that reflect Gen Z preferences. Gen Z’s “Top 10 Male Athletes They Would Want as Romantic Partners”: No. 1 Shohei Ohtani, No. 2 Yuzuru Hanyu, No. 3 Ran Takahashi, No. 4 Yuki Ishikawa, No. 5 Kaoru Mitoma, No. 6 Ukyo Shuto, No. 7 Ryuichi Kihara, No. 8 Hifumi Abe, No. 9 Shoma Uno, No. 10 Ayumu Hirano. Shohei Ohtani, a professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, topped the male ranking. Known for his historic two-way achievements in MLB, he won the unanimous American League MVP award in 2023 and remains a global superstar. Respondents described him as seeming sincere, kind, reassuring, and likely to keep promises. Many also praised him as humble despite his worldwide success and as a hard worker worthy of respect, suggesting that his trustworthy personality is as important to his popularity as his athletic ability. Yuzu