As a gamer hailing from the Land of the Rising Sun, I must say that the excitement and pride surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s World Series victory is nothing short of electrifying! Growing up, I was always captivated by the tales of Japanese baseball greats like Sadaharu Oh and Ichiro Suzuki. But watching Ohtani break barriers and excel in both pitching and hitting has been a truly inspiring journey.
The World Series trophy is headed to Los Angeles, but there’s a hearty celebration going on across the Pacific Ocean in Japan, too.
Crowds gathered at the periphery of the Ginza shopping district in central Tokyo on Thursday afternoon, anticipation building as freshly printed special editions of newspapers were distributed, announcing that Japanese athletes Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, alongside their Dodgers teammates, had been crowned world champions following an exhilarating Game 5 win against the New York Yankees.
“World No. 1. Ohtani defeats the New York Yankees.
Ohtani expressed his gratitude towards his Japanese fans who traveled to support him throughout the season, saying on TV, ‘Your cheers really boosted my energy.’ He was happy to be able to repay their kindness by securing victories.
On special occasions in Tokyo, Japan, distributing newspapers has been a cherished custom. As expected, there was a rush, as it often is, with people of all ages, from the young to the old, dashing along the streets to secure their complimentary keepsakes.
The Yomiuri Shimbun headline read: “Dodgers No. 1; Ohtani, Yamamoto in first season.”
Yasuko Shibata, a dedicated 80-year-old fan of Ohtani, expressed her appreciation for the player’s character, in addition to acknowledging his exceptional talent on the field.
She remarked that his influence on her is significant, as he serves as an essential source of her vitality. On days when he’s not at his best, she too experiences a sense of melancholy.
Another fan echoed her thoughts, standing near the Ginza underground entrance.
Hideki Shinohara, a die-hard admirer, declared, ‘He’s more than just amazing; he’s a phenomenon unique to Japan.’ Such is his greatness that a new term should be coined to describe him.
Shinohara commented, “He’s traveled quite a distance this year, more than I anticipated. I’m genuinely proud of his accomplishments.
Japan’s admiration for Ohtani is immense, as they have come to take great pride in their athletes who were previously thought to be too small or excel only at pitching. Today, there is a strong sense of national pride in the fact that these Japanese players rank among the top talents within the game.
Last year in Miami, Japan emerged victorious over the United States in the World Baseball Classic final, showcasing once more their skill and expertise in America’s beloved sport.
Additionally, it was a triumph for Ohtani’s native town, Oshu City, located in northern Japan. There, enthusiastic fans have been flocking together throughout the week, eagerly waiting for their local idol to clinch the championship.
Approximately 38,000 copies of a special edition newspaper were additionally printed in Iwate Prefecture, which encompasses the city of Oshu.
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2024-10-31 11:54