Japan clinched their third World Baseball Classic (WBC) title on Tuesday night after a thrilling 3-2 victory over defending champions United States at Miami’s LoanDepot Park.
Powerful home runs from Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto gave Japan the lead, while two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a commanding performance by closing out the game from the mound in the ninth inning, sealing the win in dramatic fashion.
This triumph marks Japan’s third WBC title, following previous victories in 2006 and 2009, making them the most successful nation in the tournament’s history.
Despite a strong lineup, the U.S. team struggled to keep pace with Japan’s formidable pitching rotation and were unable to recover after falling behind early.
The match drew global attention, with baseball fans praising the high level of competition and the electric finale that saw Ohtani pitch against his MLB teammate Mike Trout in a rare showdown to close the game.
The WBC 2023 finale served as a showcase of global baseball talent and reinforced Japan’s dominance on the world stage.
