Who was Hero?

Was that his name? The guy who Kami controlled to enter the 23rd.

Who was he? Did he have family, friends or colleagues? The tournaments were televised so did his colleagues see Hiru from IT busting out moves? He goes to work and everyone wants to make him tea, but he doesn't know why. His manager, who previously gave him a middling appraisal, hires armed guards and starts working from inside an SDF tank, but Hiru doesn't understand why.

His name was Shen. He was a random spectator at the Budokai who was there with his young son. After Shen lost his son said he couldn't believe he was that strong.

I'm not sure if the 23rd Budokai was televised. I'd have to check the surroundings in the manga again but I don't recall seeing cameras. I don't think it was until the Satan era where there became mass interest in the tournament.