As many of his teammates on the Los Angeles Dodgers have pointed out, Shohei Ohtani always seems to be enjoying baseball.

That was especially true during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Even in the middle of intense, high-pressure games, Ohtani looked as though he was genuinely enjoying every moment.

But why?

The knockout stage of the WBC is unforgiving.

From the quarterfinals onward, a single loss means elimination.

There are no second chances.

And facing the best players in the world under those conditions is something few athletes ever experience in their lives.

Naturally, the pressure is enormous.

Yet Ohtani later reflected that the experience was enjoyable precisely because of that pressure.

He also felt deep gratitude for simply being able to stand on such a stage.

Most people struggle under heavy pressure.

When expectations rise, tension often prevents athletes from performing at their normal level.

That is why coaches and competitors so often say:

“Enjoy the moment.”

Ohtani embodies that mindset completely.

For him, pressure is not something separate from enjoyment.

Pressure is part of the enjoyment.

Playing a video game with friends can certainly be fun.

But the joy Ohtani describes is entirely different.

It is the excitement of risking everything in a meaningful moment, knowing failure is possible, yet still embracing the challenge wholeheartedly.

That ability—to enjoy even the pressure itself—is one reason Ohtani continues to grow and achieve extraordinary things.

Source

This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.

Testimonies: Behind the Fierce Battles of Samurai Japan at WBC 2023, p.16