The world premiere of Shohei Otani’s documentary, his mentor Hideki Kuriyama praised: God sent people to this era

Shohei Ohtani. (File photo, Associated Press)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] Dodge Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani showed off the Demonic Two-Tool style, which not only shocked the Mega League, but also swept the world with the "Otani Tornado". The American sports media "Sports Illustrated" produced Ohtani's documentary "Ohtani: Made In Iwate", which officially premiered today. In an interview, his mentor Hideki Kuriyama praised Ohtani as "a person sent by God to this era."

The documentary production team went to Iwate Prefecture, the hometown of Shohei Otani, and visited the Mizusawa Little League stadium where he first came into contact with baseball, as well as the local FM radio station and other places. In addition, the program also invited Hiroshi Sasaki, the head coach of Otani High School's alma mater, Hanamaki Higashi High School, and coach Hideki Kuriyama, who laid the foundation for Otani's "two sword style" during the Nippon Ham period and later competed with him on the Japanese national team, for interviews, sharing the past events of Otani's growth from a young player to a superstar. The program also visits important places where Otani lived and developed, from Iwate to Hokkaido and Tokyo, to explore the Japanese culture, customs and characters that gave birth to Shohei Otani.

Kuriyama Hideki said about Ohtani Shohei: "I think God sent him to this era! Nearly 100 years ago, Babe Ruth was born, and people began to enjoy the fun of baseball. Now, this is a very painful world that has experienced epidemics and wars, but even so, in order to bring even a smile or happiness, God used baseball as a medium to bring Shohei to this world."

Kuriyama Hideki also said: "He used to fight alongside Shohei Ohtani, and I deeply felt that he came to this world with some kind of mission. I still think so until now."