Japanese star Shohei Ohtani achieves his lifelong dream with towering Home Run for his home country in 2023 WBC

On Sunday night, two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani achieved his lifelong dream with a towering home run for Japan against Australia in the 2023 WBC. In the first innings, Ohtani faced off against Team Australia's Will Sherriff. Shohei threw a hanging curveball that traveled 448 feet and landed next to his picture on a video billboard.

"I have been dreaming of hitting an HR in the WBC since I was a kid," said Shohei about realizing his childhood dream with historic HR for Japan in WBC.

"Dream realized for Shohei." - Flippin' Bats Podcast

Team Japan defeated Team Australia on Sunday with a 7-1 victory. It gave the island nation a perfect 4-0 record in Pool B.

Who caught Shohei Ohtani's 2023 WBC HR?

Japan v Hanshin Tigers

Yuma Akatsu snagged Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani's first WBC HR. Yuma, a Yomiuri Giants fan was sincerely praying to get hold of the iconic 448 feet HR when it skyrocketed in the air.

"I was just hoping that it would come to me. I was just saying, 'Come! Come! It's a true honor to be able to catch it and it feels like I've used all my life's worth of luck." said Akatsu as per MLB.com.

"Tonight, Yuma Akatsu caught Shohei’s first @WBCBaseball home run. Unlike in the states, it was politely passed around so everyone could get a photo with it." - Michael Clair

Team Japan is the first team to make it through to the Quarterfinals after securing a top-2 finish in Pool B!