Baseball star Shohei Ohtani has become the latest recipient of the Associated Press’ Male Athlete of the Year award having beaten tennis great Novak Djokovic to the prize. The MLB two-way claimed the win following a strong season, despite Djokovic having one of the best years of his illustrious career.
Ohtani’s win sees him claim the highly coveted prize for the second time in three years. The MLB star won the award following a stellar year that started off with his MVP performance for Japan’s championship team in the World Baseball Classic.
The two-way player would then go on to lead the way in the MLB American League (AL) for the most home runs, 44, and 78 extra-base hits with 325 total bases. Ohtani’s dominant year with the Los Angeles Angels would then see him earn a move across the city following the end of his contract.
The year also saw the 29-year-old sign one of sports most lucrative contracts. His ten-year deal to join the Dodgers is worth a reported $700 million (£550m).
Ohtani’s win saw him pitted against the likes of Novak Djokovic and football icon Lionel Messi. The Japanese baseball player received 20 of the 87 votes – awarded via a panel of sports media professionals – with Messi and Djokovic claiming 16 apiece. Coming in third was Dever Nuggets center Nikola Jokic who earned 12 votes.
Ohtani claimed the award having last won the honor back in 2021. He joins an elite list of names who have also won on more than one occasion.
The likes of Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, Carl Lewis, Joe Montana and Don Budge have all won twice in their careers. LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong are out in front with four wins each.
Djokovic had an equally as impressive year as Ohtani to further cement his place as one of tennis’ most successful players. The Serbian won three of the four Grand Slams – Australian, French and US Opens – all at the age of 36, proving age is just a number.
While most players would be in the twilight of their careers, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has gone from strength-to-strength. Djokovic would spend the majority of the season battling 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz to end the year at World No. 1, something he would end up acheiveing at a canter.
Messi’s joint-second-place finish comes following another exceptional year on the football field. Following his World Cup triumph with Argentina he would seek a move to Inter Miami following the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 36-year-old had an instant impact on the team, scoring a precise freekick on his debut. Messi would end up finishing the season with 11 goals and five assists in 14 games.
Despite Miami failing to qualify for a playoff place, the club did manage to win its first silverware courtesy of the Leagues Cup. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was instrumental in the win and will be hoping to build on the success in the new year.
