Shohei Ohtani wins 3rd Associated Press male athlete of year award

Shohei Ohtani is keeping elite company.

The Japanese superstar caps 2024 by winning The Associated Press male athlete of the year for the third time, tying him with basketball great Michael Jordan. He trails only four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James.

"I'm very honoured," Ohtani said through translator Matt Hidaka in an exclusive interview with the AP. "Obviously all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I'll get the award again."

In balloting by 74 sports journalists from the AP and its members, Ohtani received 48 votes. He previously won the award in 2021 and 2023, when he was with the Angels.

"Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods," he said. "I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States."

The AP honour has been given out since 1931. Golfer Babe Didrikson won six times, the most by a man or woman.

Swimmer Leon Marchand of France, who won four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, was second with 10 votes in balloting announced Monday. Golfer Scottie Scheffler, whose victories this year included the Masters and an Olympic gold medal, was third with nine.

WATCH | Ohtani 1st in MLB history to go 50-50:

Dodgers star Ohtani becomes first player to go 50-50 in MLB history

The AP female athlete of the year will be announced Tuesday.

Moving from the beleaguered Los Angeles Angels to the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani won his third most valuable player award and first in the National League, led his new team to its eighth World Series championship and created Major League Baseball's 50/50 club by hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases.

Ohtani signed a then-record $700 million US, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in