Ohtani Laments Japan's Shock WBC Exit After Venezuela Defeat

Reigning MVP says "anything other than a championship feels like a failure" after defending champions fail to reach semifinals for first time.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:33pm

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Japan's World Baseball Classic campaign came to a shock end on Saturday as they were defeated 8-5 by Venezuela, with Shohei Ohtani admitting the loss felt like a "failure" for the team that was aiming only for the championship.

Why it matters

Japan had never failed to reach the WBC semifinals before, making this defeat a major upset and disappointment for the baseball powerhouse. Ohtani's blunt assessment underscores the high expectations placed on the team and the magnitude of the loss.

The details

Venezuela scored six unanswered runs from the fifth inning onward to come from behind and eliminate the defending champions. Ohtani, who had been in fine form, went 1-for-4 with a strikeout as Japan's last chance of a comeback fell short in the ninth inning.

  • The game started with a leadoff home run off the bat of Ronald Acuna Jr. on Saturday.
  • Ohtani responded with a leadoff home run of his own to tie the game 1-1.
  • Venezuela's victory over Japan sets them up for a match with team Italy on Monday.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

The reigning MLB MVP, who finished the WBC batting .611 with three home runs and five walks.

Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Venezuelan outfielder who hit a leadoff home run to open the scoring.

Team Japan

The defending champions who failed to reach the WBC semifinals for the first time in the tournament's history.

Team Venezuela

The victors, who came from behind to eliminate the tournament favorites and set up a semifinal clash with Italy.

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What they’re saying

“Truly, anything other than a championship feels like a failure.”

— Shohei Ohtani

What’s next

Venezuela will face Italy in the WBC semifinals on Monday.

The takeaway

Japan's shock exit from the WBC despite the presence of Shohei Ohtani underscores the high expectations placed on the baseball powerhouse and the magnitude of the disappointment felt by the team and its fans after failing to reach the semifinals for the first time.