Baseball superstar Ohtani ties the knot

Shohei Ohtani, Japanese baseball superstar, confirmed on Thursday that he has tied the knot but kept the identity of his wife a mystery.

The Los Angeles Dodgers player added that he is not only starting a new chapter in his career with the Dodgers but has also began a new life with someone from his native country who is very special”.

"I am excited for what is (to) come and thank you for your support," the 29-year-old said in an Instagram post that racked up almost 1.5 million likes in just one hour.

Ohtani, who clinched his second American League Most Valuable Player award in six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023, added a picture of his dog at the bottom of the post.

"The two of us (and our dog) will support each other and we hope to move forward together with all of our fans," he also wrote in Japanese.

He added that he and his wife were "still immature in many ways, but we would appreciate your kind support".

Ohtani, nicknamed "Sho-Time", has garnered massive fame in Japan and abroad.

Known for his skills as a pitcher as well as a batter, he played a key role Japan win in last year's World Baseball Classic.

Ohtani exited the Los Angeles Angels last year for free agency after going out before qualifying for the MLB playoffs.

Following weeks of speculation, he was roped in by the Dodgers in December. His 10-year deal worth $700 million was the richest contract in the history of North American sport.

He made his Dodgers pre-season debut on Tuesday, hitting a home run in his new team's win over the Chicago White Sox.

In his Instagram post, Ohtani said he would hold a press conference on Friday, asking the media to refrain from approaching his wife or her family members.

"Who in the world is the lucky lady? Congratulations," businesswoman Junko Ito, 33, told AFP in Tokyo.

"He has someone supporting him on the sidelines. I will cheer for him even more," she said.

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