“Korea plays great baseball”.
Shohei Otani (28), a star of the Japanese national team, revealed that he longed for the WBC tournament while watching the Korean War. In addition, he also expressed his impression that Korea produces world-class players and plays great baseball.
Ohtani was included in the 12-man roster first announced by the Japanese WBC national team on the 6th. He held a press conference alongside coach Hideki Kuriyama and revealed his aspirations.
When asked when he had longed for the WBC tournament, Ohtani said, “(2009) The image of the Korean War was strong. It was the most fun time while playing student baseball. . Now I will play well from that position.”
In the 2nd tournament in 2009, Korea and Japan played a close match. A total of 5 matches were played from the group stage to the final. In the first match of the group stage of the first round, Japan won 14-2. However, in the match for 1st and 2nd place in the group stage, Korea took revenge by 1-0. 안전놀이터
In the first match of the second round, which moved to the United States, Korea won 4-2. In the 2nd round 1st and 2nd place match, Japan counterattacked 6-2. In the final match, Japan led 3-1, but Korea chased after 1 run in the 8th inning and turned the game around with Lee Bum-ho’s tying run in the 9th inning. Overtime went into overtime, and Ichiro Suzuki scored two RBIs in a timely manner, giving Japan the championship.
At the time of 2009, Ohtani was a third-year student at Mizusawa Minami Junior High School in Oshu City and a member of Little Baseball Senior. Watching the match against Korea, he developed a dream for the world stage.
After that, Ohtani participated in the 2015 WBSC Premier 12 tournament as Japan’s representative. In the semifinal match against South Korea, he pitched 7 scoreless innings and went down. When Korea, which had been lethargic by Ohtani, won a remarkable victory in the 9th inning, they showed awe of Korean baseball.
When asked about his archrival Korean baseball, which he will face again this time, Ohtani said, “There are many great players. There are many great players in the world, whether they are batters or pitchers. “He applauded.
Finally, Ohtani pledged to win the WBC tournament, saying, “Great players have gathered. I will do my best with the goal of winning.