Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star, stunned fans and the sports world by announcing his marriage to Mamiko Tanaka, a former basketball athlete from Japan.
Who Is Mamiko Tanaka?
Mamiko Tanaka, Ohtani's wife, is recognized as a former basketball athlete. Her background ties closely to sports, but little else is publicly known about her due to Ohtani's private nature and the couple’s decision to keep their relationship out of the spotlight. This secrecy is partly rooted in Japanese cultural norms, which emphasize family customs and the husband’s wishes regarding public presence.
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Shohei Ohtani’s Marriage Announcement
Following his record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers, Ohtani made a big Instagram announcement. He shared: “Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married. I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support”.
Fan and Teammate Reactions
Ohtani’s decision to keep his love life private meant even his teammates were unaware of his relationship or marriage. Dodgers player Chris Taylor mentioned he wasn’t slighted by not getting a wedding invite, noting, “He wasn’t invited to mine”. Kike Hernandez humorously remarked on Ohtani’s cryptic social media post featuring only his dog, showing just how close to the vest Ohtani kept his personal news.
Privacy and Japanese Tradition
According to cultural experts, it’s common in Japanese tradition for brides to follow the husband’s wishes, especially regarding privacy in public life. For Ohtani, one of baseball’s biggest names, requesting his wife stay out of the limelight is considered both reasonable and culturally appropriate.
The Ohtani Family Today
The couple’s family has already grown, as Ohtani’s announcement included mention of their daughter. He expressed excitement and gratitude for his “loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter”.
In summary, Shohei Ohtani is married to Mamiko Tanaka, a fellow Japanese athlete. Their union, kept private and respectful of cultural norms, only came to light after Ohtani’s emotional and widely praised announcement.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on publicly available details at the time of writing. Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka have chosen to keep their personal lives private, and some aspects of their relationship may not be fully disclosed out of respect for their privacy and cultural customs.
