“On February 29th, the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (29) surprised everyone with a marriage announcement on his social media. The true identity of his bride-to-be has been revealed by the latest issue of ‘Josei Seven’ Japanese magazine released on the 7th.” At a press conference on March 1st, Shohei Ohtani described his fiancée as “quite ordinary,” but his English Instagram post revealed her as “very special to me.” She’s A-san (27), a talented basketball player two years his junior, who made waves in the sport before retiring in 2023. With a towering height and striking features, she’s described as resembling Tranden Naomi, a well-known commentator. Raised in a balanced household, A-san is admired for her pleasant personality and ability to effortlessly connect with others. She perfectly aligns with Ohtani’s ideal partner—a blend of modesty, sincerity, intelligence, and athleticism.
Their meeting was happenstance. In an interview with “Number” on March 2nd, Ohtani recalled their first encounter:
“She mentioned our ‘first meeting,’ but I couldn’t recall it. She said I greeted her in passing, but I can’t remember where. However, I remember our second and third meetings clearly.”
From that chance encounter at the training facility to bonding over shared workouts, their relationship blossomed. In “Josei Seven,” released on the 7th, the magazine covers A-san’s changes, their serendipitous meeting, and the true reason for Ohtani’s sudden return to Japan in January, in a 15-page feature including photos.
