Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani’s Wife Is an Athlete! Meet Japanese Basketball Star Mamiko Tanaka

As Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani appears in his first World Series, many fans are wondering if he’s married. Get to know 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 junior high. 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.

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When Did Shohei Ohtani Reveal He Was Married to Mamiko Tanaka?

The home run sensation stunned fans and his own coach when he revealed in a February 28, 2024, Instagram post that he got married.

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

“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,” 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 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’m very happy for him and his bride,” he told reporters upon hearing the news. “As far as wedding gifts, we got surprised and didn’t have much time to think about it. I’m sure it’s en route.”

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 Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts and his wife, Brianna Hammonds, as well as a snapshot of Shohei and Mamiko, as the couples were about to board a plane to play in international Game in Seoul, South Korea. “Wheels up to Seoul,” the caption read.

Shohei Ohtani’s Quotes About Marriage to Wife Mamiko Tanaka

“I don’t really feel comfortable talking about when I got married exactly, but she’s 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 want 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.”

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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 deal.

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

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When Did Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka Make Their 1st 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, walking the red carPet at an event ahead of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.

When Did Shohei Ohtani Go Instagram Official With Mamiko Tanaka?

The batting champ 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 included a photo posing on the field with his wife, and another shot of the couple playfully holding Decoy. He included another photo of Decoy, that appeared to be taken by Mamiko. watching the Game from a suite with the players celebrating their win on the field below.