As a superstar of the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani appears in his first World Series, many fans wonder if he is married. Meet his wife, Mamiko Tanaka.

What does Mamiko Tanaka do for a living?

Mamiko is a former professional Japanese basketball player. She was born on December 11, 1996 in Tokyo, Japan, and started playing the sport when she was in high school. Mamiko continued through high school and played at the collegiate level for Waseda University in Tokyo.

In April 2019, Mamiko made her debut with the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women’s Japan Basketball League. She played for four seasons before retiring in 2023.

When did Shohei Ohtani reveal he was married to Mamiko Tanaka?

The home run sensation stunned fans and his own coach when he revealed on Instagram on February 28, 2024 that he was married.

“To all my friends and fans everywhere, I have an announcement to make,” Shohei began in the caption.

“Not only have I started a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers, but I have 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 am now married . I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support,” he continued.

The message was written in Japanese in the post with a photo of Shohei’s beloved dog, Decoy, in the bottom left corner. “We hope that the two of us – and one animal – will work together,” he added to the announcement in his native language.

The revelation came as a shock to his Dodgers manager. Dave Roberts. “I am very happy for him and his bride,” he told reporters upon hearing the news. “As for the wedding gifts, we were surprised and didn’t have much time to think about it. I’m sure it’s on its way.”

Shohei did not reveal who he married in his announcement, and it was the Dodgers who shared Mamiko’s identity with the world in a March 14, 2024 post on X.

It featured a photo of the Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts and his wife, Brianna Hammondsas well as a snapshot of Shohei and Mamiko, as the couples were about to board a plane to play an international match in Seoul, South Korea. “On wheels to Seoul,” the caption read.

Shohei Ohtani’s quotes on marriage to wife Mamiko Tanaka

“I don’t really feel comfortable talking about when exactly I got married, but she is a normal Japanese woman,” Shohei told ESPN through an interpreter in a brief interview on February 29, 2024.

“I felt like it was good timing because it was before the season,” he explained. “I didn’t really need any distractions once the season started. I would have liked to announce it earlier, but there were some paperwork issues that (delayed) the whole process.”

The athlete played six seasons for the Los Angeles Angels, from 2018 to 2023, before being traded to the Dodgers in a blockbuster $700 million, 10-year contract.

“She has a great understanding of my craft and she is willing to be wherever I wanted to play, and ultimately it was my decision,” Shohei added.

When did Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka make their first public appearance?

The couple made their red carpet debut at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s 2024 Blue Diamond Gala on May 2, 2024.

Shohei and Mamiko made another rare public appearance on July 16, 2024, when they walked the red carpet at an event leading up to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.

When did Shohei Ohtani become Instagram official with Mamiko Tanaka?

The batting champion shared a carousel of Instagram photos on September 27, 2024, celebrating the Dodgers’ victory in their series against the San Diego Padres, which they won to become the National League West Division champions.

Shohei added a photo of himself posing with his wife on the field, and another photo of the couple playfully holding Decoy. He added another photo of Decoy, which appeared to be taken by Mamiko. watching the match from a suite, while the players celebrate their victory on the field below.