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
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Secret Starbucks sausage customization sparks sweet joy in Japan[Taste test]
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Japan’s unofficial but approved Ghibli anime cafe is opening a new branch and looking for staff
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Japan’s first-ever capybara cat cafe opens in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
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】