Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese baseball superstar, has been named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, putting him in the elite company of sports legends. Ohtani's achievement ties him with basketball great Michael Jordan and places him just behind four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James.
In a statement to the AP, Ohtani expressed his gratitude for the honor, attributing it to his hard work and dedication. He humbly mentioned his admiration for Jordan and Woods, whose success in the United States inspired him during his upbringing in Japan.
