Who is Shohei Ohtani’s wife? The Japanese baseball superstar threw a curveball when he revealed he got married – here’s what we know about his ‘normal’ bride, former basketball player Mamiko Tanaka
Despite his fame, Ohtani is known for being extremely private, and he initially kept his new bride’s name a secret from the public.
During a press conference following his marriage announcement, Ohtani described Tanaka as a “normal Japanese woman”.
But fans have lately discovered that his assertion could not be further from the truth. In mid-March, Ohtani shared a group photo on his Instagram Story with a woman who was instantly identified by numerous media sites as Japanese former basketball player Mamiko Tanaka.
On March 15, Ohtani arrived in South Korea ahead of the Dodgers’ season-opening games with the San Diego Padres this week, with Tanaka following close behind him, confirming the speculation.
So who is star player Ohtani’s baller wife? Here’s what we know about Tanaka – and her relationship with Ohtani.
Mamiko Tanaka is a former pro basketball player
Born on December 11, 1996, Tanaka is a star athlete in her own right with hoop skills that would floor most NBA fans.
The 27-year-old joined Fujitsu Red Wave in 2019 and played as their forward for four years before retiring in 2023, per People. During her career, she also represented Japan in the Fifa Asia Championship for Women in 2011 (U16), 2012 (U17) and 2014 (U18).
The 180cm-tall player (5ft 11) originally kick-started her career at Waseda University, Tokyo before going professional, as per People.
Following the marriage news, Fujitsu, the parent company of her former team, released a statement in Japanese to congratulate the happy couple. “We wish to celebrate from the bottom of our hearts the new journey embarked by Mamiko Tanaka, who provided joy to many people through her performances with the Fujitsu Red Wave. We pray this new stage of life will be wonderful for the two of them,” reported multiple outlets.
The marriage announcement
Ohtani told the world that he got married through an Instagram post in February in Japanese, followed by a brief caption in English.
“The season is approaching, I am pleased to announce to you that I have got married,” Ohtani’s Japanese letter said, per CNN.
“We hope that the two of us (and one dog) will work together to support each other and move forward alongside with our fans,” he added, further requesting privacy from media and fans alike.
At spring training on February 29, Ohtani revealed that he and Tanaka had known each other for “three to four” years before getting engaged last year, and that she was with him for spring training in Arizona this year, per LA Times.
Social media has celebrated their union
“Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, really are so perfect for each other: her laugh, her fun personality, everything he described in his interviews … So happy for the happy couple,” said one X (formerly Twitter) user.
“Here she comes, Mrs Ohtani-san! Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka. Seen together for the first time as hubby and wife as the Dodgers arrived in South Korea on Friday,” another wrote.
“My royal couple,” said a third alongside a photograph of the couple.
- Ohtani described his wife as a ‘normal Japanese woman’, but Mamiko Tanaka is in fact an ex-pro basketball player for the Fujitsu Red Wave
- The baseball star, nicknamed ‘Shotime’, signed a US$700 million deal to commit to the Dodgers for 10 years – the largest sports contract to date