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Hi, guys! It's been a while  I hope you've been enjoying FaOI as I have (I am watching it at home as always ).

I really liked Yuzuru's interview aired on Fuji last night, he had refreshing words and look on his face. I hope this year will be the one he is satisfied with. Ganbatte, Yuzuru

This article says the team-forming ceremony of Team Japan will be held on January 29 in Tokyo, but it doesn't say how many or who will attend. Today the number of Covid patients was around 9,700 and it will be risky to gather for many athletes at one place in my opinion. I hope Yuzuru will not attend to be honest. 

https://nordot.app/856855046394249216?c=39550187727945729

It's 1am already but I don't think I can sleep until tsunami warnings are released. Sendai has had 2 waves (the latter was 70cm) so far according to NHK news. I hope Yuzuru and everyone are safe. 

Here are official uniforms of Team Japan. (This is my first post in 2022, happy new year, everyone!)

It was funny that there were a lot of comments in the chat, "Lady (Okabe), can you step to the side because we can't see Yuzuru".

5 時間前, Geo1さんが言いました:

 

Shohei Ohtani not only won the American League MVP award, he won it unanimously – receiving all 30 first-place votes. He is only the 11th ballplayer in history to win the AL MVP award unanimously.

 

What Shohei Ohtani did in the 2021 season is absolutely unprecedented. No one in the history of Major League Baseball has done what he did this year. I know that Shohei Ohtani is huge news in Japan because he is the winner of the American League MVP award, but I do not think that the Japanese fully realize how significant his accomplishments have been. First of all, I acknowledge that receiving the MVP award for the American League or the National League in itself is a tremendous accomplishment. In being selected for this award, you are being recognized as the best ballplayer in the American League or National League for that season; however, it is an annual award. Someone wins the MVP in each league every year. As I said, what Shohei Ohtani accomplished in the 2021 season is unprecedented. It has never been done before in the history of baseball and so being awarded the MVP for the AL is, in a sense, an understatement.

 

As I have stated under the spoiler below, Shohei Ohtani’s unique accomplishment this season was rewarded with the MLB Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award which was presented to him before the start of the first World Series game. The description of his arrival to receive this award matched that of Yuzu arriving at the airport for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

 

Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese playing an American game and proving that he is the best ballplayer in history and American experts and commentators are loving him for it. Look under the spoiler for the wonderful things being said about Shohei Ohtani.

 

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I have placed under the spoiler a more detailed discussion of Shohei Ohtani's accomplishments and his other awards in the 2021 season.

 

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A "two-way player" in baseball is someone who can pitch the baseball as well as hit the baseball as a batter. Until Shohei Ohtani, there had been only one two-way player in the history of Major League Baseball and that was the legendary Babe Ruth. When Shohei Ohtani first came to the MLB, he was compared to Babe Ruth and there were many doubters. Not only has Shohei Ohtani lived up to the comparison, but he has surpassed Babe Ruth in the 2021 season. He is an elite batter as well as an elite pitcher.

 

As a batter, he had 46 home runs, 26 doubles, 8 triples, 100 runs batted in and 26 stolen bases. There were only two other ballplayers who hit more home runs than Shohei and their totals were 48 each – 2 more, and they spent all their time devoting practice to hitting balls.

 

As a pitcher, he had a record of 9 wins to 2 losses with 156 strikeouts.

 

Since Babe Ruth in 1919, no one had ever pitched and batted at the same time in the MLB. Babe Ruth only spent two seasons while with the Boston Red Sox being a two-way player. When he was drafted by the New York Yankees, he became a legendary batter, but no longer pitched. In the beginning, Shohei was called a "generational" talent. Then it became a "once in a century" talent since he was the first two-way player since Babe Ruth. Now, since he has surpassed Babe Ruth, he is referred to as a "never before" talent and a "unicorn" and "space alien".

 

The American League MVP award is only the latest addition to his post-season trophy haul which included the Players Choice Award – as voted by his peers in the Major League Baseball Players Association – for Major League Baseball Player of the Year (of both the American and National Leagues) as well as Outstanding Player of the American League for 2021. One might argue that this was more significant than receiving the AL MVP award since the Players Choice Awards have been voted on by his fellow elite ballplayers. The MVP award is voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

 

Prior to the AL MVP award, Shohei Ohtani had already been selected Player of the Year by Baseball Digest, Baseball America and Sporting News. He had already received the Silver Slugger Award as designated hitter.

 

Perhaps the most significant award that Shohei received was the (MLB) Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award for his unprecedented two-way performance this season. This is not an annual award. The last time it was awarded was in 2014. It is only awarded when, as the name suggests, a player achieves something historic and unprecedented.

 

The reason I mention Shohei Ohtani here is because he and Yuzuru Hanyu have many things in common including being born in the same year (1994) and being born in Tohoku – Yuzu in Miyagi and Shohei in Iwate. They are both survivors of the 3/11 earthquake and tsunami. They also share many personality traits as well as good looks, except Shohei is 193 cm (6'4") tall and weighs 95 kg (210 pounds) and Yuzu is 172 cm (5'8") tall and weighs 53 kg (117 pounds). They each have an amazing aura and charisma. They are both humble and respectful. Just as Yuzu picks up articles from the ice, Shohei is constantly picking up stray trash from the ground and throwing it into a trash bin or, if one is not available, putting it into his pocket.

 

Just as Yuzu has fought back from injuries that could have been career-ending, Shohei has come back from injuries that could have ended his career. After a promising start in 2018 winning the Rookie of the Year award, it was announced on September 3, 2018 that Shohei was to undergo Tommy John surgery after an MRI showed new damage to his UCL which would prevent him from pitching until 2020. The 2019 season was prematurely ended by the need for further surgery to repair a bipartite patella. The 2020 season did not start until July 24 due to the pandemic and during this shortened season, Shohei did not perform particularly well either as a pitcher or designated hitter as a result of his injuries and lack of practice.

 

Despite all of these drawbacks, Shohei worked hard, persevered and overcame obstacles to accomplish this historic season.

 

Like Yuzu, Shohei Ohtani has been referred to as a "unicorn" and "space alien". Commentators and sports fans alike say that we are lucky to be alive to witness this never seen before and will never see again athlete. Fans of other teams are cheering for him and saying that they tune in to watch games just to see Shohei Ohtani. People who have never watched baseball before are tuning in just to see him play. During a stoppage in play because of rain, the entire Toronto Blue Jays baseball team crowded together around a TV to watch Shohei Ohtani who was playing in a different game.

 

Shohei was picked to participate in the Home Run Derby and is the only player in the history of Major League Baseball to be chosen for the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and position player. He was the starting pitcher and starting hitter for the American League. Other All-Star players who were interviewed, expressed awe and amazement at Shohei's abilities and performance. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had an amazing season as a position player and hitter with 48 home runs and who would have been the MVP of the American League if not for Shohei Ohtani wanted to be introduced to Shohei Ohtani. When a picture was taken of the two of them together, Vlad made a point of asking the person who took the picture to send a copy to him.

 

Like Yuzu, Shohei had his own white wall when he was awarded the AL MVP award.

 

 

 

As a guy who's first love was baseball and who was scolded for scrunching up an Ice Rink Sendai pamphlet into a ball, rolling up a magazine and using it as a bat to play baseball with a couple of other boys, I'm sure that Yuzu has been following Shohei Ohtani's amazing 2021 season.

 

These are two videos showing the similarities between Yuzu and Shohei.

 

 

 

 

 

For those of you who may be interested in seeing the MLB official channel's video of the highlights of Shohei Ohtani's amazing 2021 season, this is it under the spoiler.

 

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Thank you, @Geo1. I myself can't stop comparing Shohei to Yuzuru so I enjoyed your post. I didn't know Shohei ran so fast before I started watching his play this year, he clearly has "total package" like Yuzuru does and that is the most appealing to me as a sports fan. Yesterday Shohei had phone interview and he said he didn't have any plan (to cerebrate MVP) after this but would see his mother and sister since they were in town, and he would sleep early because he had something to do on next day  Needless to say, the most important thing is "the health" for both Yuzuru and Shohei, because we know they will be fantastic if they are healthy. Fingers crossed for them in next year and the seasons to come 

I will not go to the venue but I looked up on NHK site (http://nhk-trophy2021.jp/faq.html) and found out the audience could cheer only by applause and clapping hands (no voice, no screaming). And they will not be allowed to throw the flowers and gifts. I am sorry for them because they could not scream at the last Japanese nationals with Yuzuru's two new programs and costumes, and of course amazing performances. But I am very sure he will feel love and support from all over the world. 

I hope Yuzuru is going to show up in good shape next week! (I can't believe I am saying "next week"...)

After watching his new interview (especially his comment "please look forward to it"), I feel like we are really going to see Yuzuru's try of 4A in the competition in this season. I hope he stays healthy and makes his dream come true  

I liked Opening Ceremony very much!! It didn't have much the taste of "Japan" but the theme was clear and had unity and harmony. The play of "one-winged plane" was amazing and also all the visions and projection mapping were so cool. 

Beautiful video of Shohei Ohtani 

And in case you haven't seen this yet Yuzuru was curious about Shohei's weight (about 100kg, Yuzuru said it was almost the twice as his) and the way he put his weight on the ball, Shohei said gaining body weight was only one of the methods for putting the weight on the ball, and the most important thing was skill and the body core. The man talked to Yuzuru and Shohei was Sadaharu Oh, he participated in Tokyo Olympics as one of the torch relay in the stadium. 

13 時間前, sallycinnamonさんが言いました:

The Games are officially over. I couldn't watch much from the closing ceremony because we had guests for lunch but from what I saw I liked it more than the opening ceremony. Congratulations to marathon runner Kipchoge on defending his Olympic title, it was nice to see the two marathon victory ceremonies at the closing ceremony.

 

 

From what I've seen from broadcasts, reports and heard from athletes' interviews Japan did their best to organise this Olympics, congratulations to them! Even though the opinion of those who live there and those who have much more informations how things went there may be differerent but from the outside it looked like a well organised Games.  Many Hungarian athletes said the conditions were very good and they are thankful for the organisers and the help and warm welcome of the volunteers. The Hungarian Olympic Committe together with the embassy in Tokyo made a 'Thank you Tokyo' message which is now aired on the Shibuya Crossing every hour.  https://www.instagram.com/p/CSTB6Y5HP9P/

 

In the past weeks I saw some videos and pictures in which Japanese welcomed our team and sent to our athletes cheering messages which was really nice to see. There is one very cute video that I saw yesterday: a children's choir in Tokoruzawa sang a song which is famous amongst Hungarian football fans and sent the team a cheering message too. https://www.instagram.com/p/CSQWLFEBsvc/ Adorable! 

 

Japan did well in the competitions too, congratulations on their medals at this Olympics. I was happy to see them finishing on 3rd place on the medal table right behind USA and China.  

It was also nice to see many small countries doing their best and many of them getting medals at this Games. I'm also proud of how Hungary did here. Before the Games I predicted 18-20 medals for us (this was a rather optimistic prediction) and we finished with 20 which is great - besides the medals many finished on 4th, 5th or 6th places which are also great results. Everyone seemed to do their best. With these results Hungary has now the most gold medals per capita in the history of Summer Olympics (181 gold medals overall) and they are still on the 8th place on the all-time medal table which is so big considering it is the smallest country by far on the list.

 

If I have time maybe I'll watch some of the competitions again since it's still available for a for a few weeks (maybe even months) on the website of our sports channel, and I couldn't watch everything live and missed some events that I wanted to watch.  

 

Again, thank you Tokyo and Japan, and see you everyone in Paris 2024.

Thank you for your kind and nice post, congratulations to Hungary, too 

The report says about 4500 people involved in the Olympics are leaving Japan today. (I think athletes competed in the first half of the event have already left). I hope they will go home safely.

The organization had been announcing the number of Covid-19 patients related to the Olympics since July 1, 430 in total were reported (including media, workers in the organizations and volunteers living in Japan) and 19 athletes withdrew. Honestly I was expecting more, but I guess the athletes must have been very cautious and taking care of themselves. It was sad there wasn't audience, but I think it was a good decision after all.

It's like I've just woken up from the dream, I don't want to go back to the reality but I have to anyway  Watching the sports is one of my hobbies, I love the excitement and am fascinated by special skills by the athletes, but what I like the most is that I am able to witness their raw emotions -happiness, sadness, tears, smiles, frustration, all kinds. It just hits my heart. I hope Paris will not suffer in holding the next Olympics as we did and have great success in peace. 

(Lastly my rant...opening and closing ceremonies of Tokyo Olympics were the worst among all Olympics I had watched and I don't know if I want to laugh or cry )

I watched team competition of Rhythmic gymnastics, I really liked Italy and was happy for them winning bronze medal. Our commentator gave us details of scoring during the performances, like "0.3 point there", "0.5 point there", "a member dropped her leg, so that whole element won't be counted, "a half step made in catching, 0.3 point deduction there. If you made 3 steps, you will have 0.5 point deduction" etc. Some people were saying she spoke too much but personally I appreciate her commentary because I didn't know much about the rules. Unfortunately I could not watch individual event, but I was curious what she said about the performances of medalists and looked for the video with Japanese commentary, but I could not find it. 

About Closing ceremony, I was worried for the weather of tonight, but it seems typhoon is leaving Kanto area so I think the stadium will be fine (it has no roof...). 

They won silver and of course it was the first Olympic medal ever!! (and the score was not so bad IMO) I am very proud of them 

Argentina beat Brazil  I can't remember when the last time Brazil didn't get medal, congrats to Argentina! TV didn't show this game, but I've heard it was a really good game.

Speaking of a surprise, Japanese women's basketball will face USA at final tomorrow. We were happy when they made a history with being qualified for semi-final, but I mean, THE FINAL. Really? 

19 分, Paskudさんが言いました:

Women race walking was so dramatic! Lady from Brazil was fighting against lady from Venezuela for silver medal, but got warning right before finish, had to wait 2 minutes and ended 11th.😯

Wow. Warning is very scary, I got very nervous yesterday watching Men's 20km. 

It started 5:30 in the morning but still 11 walkers withdrew during the race. Race walking and marathon moved to Hokkaido from Tokyo but sadly it became almost the same temperature. I have much respect for all participants and pray for lower temperature for the last two days.

17 時間前, Sayu93さんが言いました:

Still flashed by yesterdays table tennis mens halffinal between Japan and Germany. Damn.. everyone played so well..Timo Dima Patrick Jun Tomokazu Kouki thank you for that match

That was a long match, Germany was great team! I was glad for Harimoto-kun played so well after losing in Singles. Today Japan won bronze medal, I think Jun Mizutani will announce his retirement soon (he has bad eyes and started wearing goggles after having surgery) but he has done so much for Japan's table tennis for years. 

edited: Mizutani says he will retire from international competition, so he may keep playing within the country. 

USA couldn't qualify for Men's 4×100m relay final in Athletics...

Juntendo University is famous for its strong gymnastic team (they are good in other sports, too), Daiki Hashimoto is also a student there and my idol Hiroyuki Tomita is coaching 

Greece in Artistic Swimming withdrew, 5 members (4 are swimmers) are infected with Covid-19. 

https://mainichi.jp/articles/20210804/k00/00m/050/125000c

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210803/k10013179471000.html

I am glad that Japan won gold and silver (silver medalist is 12 years old!), but I was more moved by their sportsmanship and friendship. The Japanese player in the last photo, Misugu Okamoto, is in the top at world ranking but made mistake in her first and second run. She could have aimed for the medal in her last run doing easy trick but challenged harder one instead, but fell and finished in the 4th place as overall result. Other players held her and cheered her up because she was crying. I really love these kind of moments in the sports. Congrats to Sky Brown, she also did amazing job. I learnt that she was born in Miyazaki of Japan since her mother was Japanese. The commentator said the three medalists were really good friends and Sky became a translator for Japanese players at the international contests. That is very sweet of her!

Now I see Simone showed up, good luck to her and all participants! 

Mai Murakami won bronze medal!! This is the first medal in 57 years for Japanese women gymnast, what a amazing moment!! 

Another sport I got excited while watching for the first time.  I can say Skateboarding and BMXFreestyle are my new discovery at this Olympics, I don't know if these will be in the future Olympics but if they are, I am sure they will be my favorite in the events. I respect the players' hard work and more than anything, their courage.