Jul 12 (NHKn) - Tennis star Osaka Naomi and Major League Baseball two-way sensation Ohtani Shohei have won prestigious ESPY awards for their accomplishments in sports during the past year.
US sports channel ESPN founded the accolades for individuals and teams in 1993. Awards ceremonies have since taken place in July every year, except in 2020 when the event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This year's ceremony was held in New York on Saturday.
Osaka was chosen as the best athlete in women's sports, and the best athlete in women's tennis, becoming the first Japanese to win those honors. She prevailed in last year's US Open and this year's Australian Open.
Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels received the ESPY best MLB player award, also becoming the first Japanese to do so.
The slugger is currently leading the MLB in home runs with 33 this season. He has also chalked up four wins so far as a pitcher.