The Olympics really bring out the best in athletes from around the world.
It’s been just over a week since last Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro and there have already been numerous memorable and record-breaking moments. History has been made with some countries achieving their first-ever medals or even first-ever gold medals and with one individual athlete breaking a 2,000-year-old record for number of medals won. Performances in team and individual events have also seen amazing competition, including the table tennis semi-final match between Jun Mizutani from Japan and Ma Long from China.
水谷隼 (日本) vs 馬龍(中国)
— Mogelina (@mogelina) August 11, 2016
水谷のプレイ、馬のプレイ、二人ともスーパーラリーの凄い戦いだったわ!!#オリンピック #卓球 pic.twitter.com/wq29K4hQjT
Even if you’re not from either of those countries, you can’t help but cheer after such a spectacular rally. Ma Long ended up winning this match as well as the gold medal for Men’s Table Tennis Singles while Jun Mizutani took bronze. That medal was also a major accomplishment as he is the first Japanese athlete to medal in table tennis in the singles competition.
▼ Here is another riveting rally where Mizutani earns a point later in the same match.
水谷隼 (日本) vs 馬龍(中国)
— Mogelina (@mogelina) August 11, 2016
今度は、水谷がスーパーラリーで競り勝った場面
馬が凄い速さで正確に拾うなか、水谷が漫画みたいなスマッシュで勝負かけてて、二人とも凄すぎ!!#オリンピック #卓球 pic.twitter.com/KBiSKPi9hd
With all the concern about the Rio Olympics leading up to the Game, they have turned out to be a triumph of amazing stories and brilliant performances. We are definitely looking forward to more Olympic action over the last week of the competition and can’t wait for more acts of Olympic athleticism as the games come to a close.
Source: Kinisoku
Top image: Twitter/@mogelina

Sales of Jun Mizutani Curry skyrocket, show why it pays to back your Olympic hopefuls
Japanese Olympics table tennis player has uncanny flair for mimicking anime characters on court
Table tennis greats serve up incredible 41-shot rally at Commonwealth Games
This table tennis player shows that “nothing is impossible” 【Video】
Table tennis champ Zhang Jike wins tense rally… with his foot
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
In Japan, you can buy bloom-at-home cherry blossom bouquets for super-easy hanami【Photos】
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Pikachu-ear engagement rings and Pokémon wedding rings for him and her can now be yours【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Grated white radish cat spices up traditional Japanese home cooking
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
This table tennis comedy video isn’t “boring.” It may be the best video ever!
Chinese table tennis champ stripped of $45k prize after emotional outburst【Video】
Leave a Reply