After keeping her identity a secret since February, the wife of LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been named.
On February 29, Ohtani confirmed that he married ‘someone from my native Japan’ without revealing his breakup. Two weeks later, a photo of Ohtani with Japanese basketball player Mamiko Tanaka led to speculation about his mystery wife.
“Not only have I started a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers, but I’ve also started a new life with someone from my native Japan who is very special to me, and I wanted everyone to know that I now are married,” he wrote in a message on Instagram.
‘I’m excited for what’s to come and thank you for your support,’ he continued.’
Here, DailyMail.com discusses everything you need to know about Ohtani’s wife, the former Japanese basketball star.
Shohei Ohtani’s mystery wife was finally revealed on a social media post by the Dodgers
Ohtani’s wife is former Japanese basketball player Mamiko Tanaka (L), who retired in 2023
Tanaka was born on December 11, 1996. While Ohtani referred to her as a ‘normal Japanese woman’ in a press conference, she had quite an impressive career in basketball.
Tanaka played for Waseeda University before entering the professional ranks in 2019 with the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women’s Japan Basketball League. The 5-foot-11 forward played with the Red Wave for four years before retiring in 2023.
During his final season in 2023, Tanaka shot 47.7 percent from the field and 69.9 percent from the free throw line over 28 games, per ESPN.
Earlier in his career, Tanaka also represented Japan in international competitions. Her FIBA profile shows that she played in the FIFA Asia Championship for Women in 2011 (U16), 2012 (U17) and 2014 (U18).
A highlight reel posted by Barstool Sports also shows Tanaka playing in FIBA’s 3×3 tournaments.
On Thursday, Tanaka and Ohtani were pictured as the Dodgers landed in Seoul, South Korea. That team posted their photo next to one of LA star Mookie Bets and his wife, Brianna Hammonds.
Tanaka played for Waseeda University before entering the professional ranks in 2019
Tanaka played for the Fujitsu Red Wave in the Women’s Japan Basketball League for four years
‘Roll up to Seoul,’ the Dodgers captioned the post, labeling Tanaka as Ohtani’s wife in the photo’s alt text.
Arriving in Seoul, Ohtani and Tanaka were greeted by a crowd of fans as the Dodgers prepare to play their season opener against the San Diego Padres.
“We are still young and (there are) many things we don’t know yet, but we hope you will take good care of us,” Ohtani said after his wedding announcement. ‘We hope the two of us (and a dog) will work together to support each other and move forward together with our fans.’
“I don’t really feel comfortable talking about when I got married exactly,” Ohtani added to TIME. However, he said it was ‘good timing’ to share the news as the season starts.
Tanaka joined Ohtani and the Dodgers in Seoul, Korea as the team prepares to face the Padres
In February, Ohtani announced that he was getting married, but did not reveal who his bride was
Ohtani enters his first season with the Dodgers after signing a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the team in December.
Before joining the team, he played for the Los Angeles Angels in Orange County. Ohtani had surgery on his right elbow and will not pitch for the Dodgers this season.
Instead, he will be used as a designated hitter and could possibly play in the field.
The Dodgers have done well in spring training, compiling a 13-5 record. The team finished last season with 100 wins in 62 losses before falling to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the League Divisional Series.