Everything Shohei Ohtani Said About Japan’s Stunning Loss to Venezuela in 2026 WBC Bracket
Japan star Shohei Ohtani lamented a “really frustrating” outcome to the team’s World Baseball Classic title defense.
The reigning champion lost 8-5 to Venezuela in the quarterfinals Saturday.
“It was the kind of game where we had chances to win,” Ohtani said, per USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale. “It wasn’t like we were completely overwhelmed from start to finish. I think there were definitely moments where we had opportunities to win. … We showed what we do well, but in the end, they overpowered us.”
Japan ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed a leadoff homer to Ronald Acuña Jr. on the second pitch of the game. Ohtani responded with a leadoff home run of his own in the bottom half of the first.
Japan eventually went aead 5-2 in the third after Shota Morishita’s three-run dinger. The bullpen was unable to hold onto the lead, though.
A pair of long balls by Maikel Garcia and Wilyer Abreu turned the tables on the Japanese repeat bid.
“After we scored five, I thought they showed a lot of grit on the mound,” Ohtani said. “They were excellent.”
The four-time MVP is already looking ahead to the next major international tournament, which could be the 2028 Summer Olympics. Commissioner Rob Manfred has entertained the idea of MLB taking part in the Games.
“In international competition, of course you want another chance, whether you call it revenge or a new challenge,” Ohtani said. “I don’t know in what form I myself will be able to play next time, but when that opportunity comes, I want to focus on it again.”
Japan has been the most consistent performer in the World Baseball Classic since its inception in 2006. The country has three wins along with semifinal appearances in 2013 and 2017.
Ohtani doesn’t believe Japan’s window is closing anytime soon.
“Even with many young players on the roster,” he said, “I got the sense that the overall level — both pitching and hitting — is continuing to rise. I feel that every year. There are a lot of players I’m excited about for the future. And with new players coming in as well, I’d be happy if the overall level of baseball continues to improve.”
Ohtani hasn’t experienced this kind of defeat in a while. After Japan’s 2023 WBC win, he and the Los Angeles Dodgers captured back-to-back World Series in 2024 and 2025.
The Dodgers open the season on March 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It sounds like their best player won’t be lacking in motivation and drive when he steps into the batter’s box.
