Random Japanese Ladies

[vlinorman]

Read this in the news..

TOKYO — Japanese schoolgirl Rikako Ikee, who melted the hearts of a nation when she burst into tears on qualifying for the Olympics, is set to make a big splash in Rio.

Having just turned 16, the butterfly and freestyle specialist will compete in seven events at next month’s Olympics after bursting onto the scene at last year’s junior worlds in Singapore by completing a double in the 50 and 100 metres butterfly.

Ikee backed that up by becoming the first Japanese woman to break the 54-second barrier in the 100m freestyle earlier this year before her emotions bubbled over at the national championships, which doubled up as the country’s Olympic trials.

The Tokyo native, who has been tearing up records for fun over the past year, added the final touches to her Rio preparations by setting a new Japanese best in the 50m fly last weekend.

“I really wanted that record,” said Ikee, who will swim the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle along with the 100m butterfly and all three relays in Brazil. “I’m gradually getting to feel ready for the Olympics.”

Kyoko Iwasaki famously became an overnight media darling in Japan after the pint-sized breaststroker won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games six days after her 14th birthday.

Asked about her own whirlwind rise to fame, Ikee insisted she was close to top form after suffering something of a let-down after sealing qualification for the Olympics.

“I felt a bit tired after qualifying,” she told reporters. “But my times have started creeping back up. I want to make sure I get to Rio in peak condition.”

Ikee won legions of admirers for sobbing uncontrollably at the national trials, lifting Japanese fans after swim king Kosuke Kitajima had failed to qualify, signalling the end of his storied career.

“I don’t know if I’ll be in the position in Rio to feel that happy or not,” Ikee told AFP. “I can’t imagine yet what it will be like there.

“But as long as I can perform to my full potential and set personal bests, I’ll be able to give myself a pat on the back,” she added.

“Even if you’re the top swimmer in Japan it doesn’t guarantee you getting into the world’s top 10 so hopefully I can make the finals (in Rio) and take it from there.”

Japan will be hoping for a strong showing from its swimmers in Rio, led by Kosuke Hagino, a gold medal contender in the men’s 200m and 400m individual medley and a decent tip for the podium in the 200m freestyle.

On the women’s side, world champion Kanako Watanabe will be a threat in the 200m breaststroke, although she could be pushed hard by team mate Rie Kaneto.

[muppet]

Sporty Girls

Rikako Ikee

Beautiful Girl!



A wonderful day


Watch Rikako Fly!


15歳 池江璃花子 2016日本選手権 女子100mバタフライ決勝 1着57.71秒 RIOへの最初の代表枠もぎ取る!

[vlinorman]

Hiroko Nanami came in 7th place in this year's election for Tokyo governor



She belongs to the sinister Happy Science party..

[muppet]

Future Girls

Makomina have not only a part in this CM
with Mami Kamura and Atsushi Itou , but they provided
the background song!

Good job girls!



“1000年に2人目の美少女”で話題の加村真美、CMで伊藤淳史と共演　「エレメンタルストーリー」

[vlinorman]

Itou Mima and Hirano Miu have arrived in Rio and will likely play together in doubles..



best of luck to the entire team of course

[vlinorman]

Hiroko Nanami did not get too many votes but she did make an impression on the Tokyo citizenry with her strong public speaking and handshake afterwards..



If she ran instead for a more mainstream party she could do really well..

[vlinorman]

Follow Japanese volleyball team with Kimura Saori who won bronze in London..

[vlinorman]

Itou Mima and Hirano Miu have arrived in Rio and will likely play together in doubles..



best of luck to the entire team of course

Mima chan was easy to find in second row..

[muppet]

Best wishes to all the athletes competing at Rio!

And now....

Sporty Girls

Kasumi Ishikawa Spotlight


She's inspiring young Japanese Table Tennis
athletes to continue the winning ways!


小学生卓球選手権＆スペシャルゲスト石川佳純に密着！

[vlinorman]

Left handed players are tricky..

So it seems in 4 years at Tokyo Olympics Kasumi Ishikawa will be the senior player competing in singles event as Ai Fukuhara will get married after Rio and maybe retire from professional play..

Of course Itou Mima or Hirano Miu could overtake her..

EDIT: the Japanese top-3 table tennis ladies are really amazing with languages, likely because they travel a lot!

[vlinorman]

Ikee san is performing well as expected and is in the butterfly final..

[vlinorman]

Unless some Chinese gymnast girls are smaller, I think Asuka Teramoto is smallest athlete at 136 cm..



Those leg muscles though..

[vlinorman]

Kasumi Ishikawa lost 4-3 against a much weaker opponent.. there seemed to be a mental issue.

Mima Ito or Miu Hirano would've surely won.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

But I think the team event is most important.

[vlinorman]

Unless some Chinese gymnast girls are smaller, I think Asuka Teramoto is smallest athlete at 136 cm..



Those leg muscles though..

Japan girl gymnast team has made it to the finals..

[vlinorman]

Kimura Saori is 185 cm tall

[vlinorman]

It's unfortunate Ishikawa Kasumi chan lost against a motivated North Korean girl who fought for her life (perhaps literally) but Fukuhara Ai chan is steaming through

[vlinorman]

Okuhara Nozomi won All England (badminton) tournament on her birthday..



See her on the Olympics!

Nozomi chan will be in action soon and actually has good chances for a medal!

also bonus points for liking gyuu tan

[vlinorman]

Japan girl gymnast team has made it to the finals..

The girls did very well but narrowly missed the podium.. maybe a medal in Tokyo Olympic 2020?

[vlinorman]

Tachimoto Haruka san won judo gold

[vlinorman]

Without Kim from North Korea Kasumi chan and Ai chan would've played each other for bronze medal..