Hosting the Summer Games during a global pandemic without spectators at nearly all events was never predicted when the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2020 Games to Japan. But the reality of what occurred and the fact the Olympics were still held created abundant opportunities for unique storytelling.
During the Tokyo Games, readers followed the daily progress of their favorite Olympians and stories about the cultural impact of the global extravaganza, while also keeping track of the medal chart.
As 2022 begins, JAPAN Forward is highlighting the most-read sports stories of the last twelve months in the categories of Olympics, Paralympics and (all other) Sports. Join us for a quick look at Japan’s Olympic year, before we take you into a new year of Winter Olympics and other sporting challenges. And please follow our sports coverage in 2022 here and here.
Our five most-read stories of the Tokyo Olympics are:
Naomi Osaka holds the Olympic flame after lighting the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23.
5. Naomi Osaka Lights Cauldron In an Opening Ceremony Marked by Elegant Simplicity
“This is a message of hope,” said IOC boss Thomas Bach. “Yes, it’s very different from what all of us imagined. But let us cherish this moment. Finally, we got here together.”
Read more here.
Rika Usami
4. Queen of Karate Kata Rika Usami Appointed to Boost Japan’s Tokyo 2020 Karate Medal Chances
There are approximately 130 million karate enthusiasts across 194 countries and regions. Usami’s kata has been described as the “most beautiful in the world.”
Read more here.
The Closing Ceremony at the New National Stadium on August 8.
3. Japan Brings its Best Hospitality to the Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony
After festival music, pomp and circumstance, the last moment saw the monitors on the screen read a huge “ARIGATO” (thank you), with multicolored fireworks in the background.
Read more here.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines scores gold at Tokyo International Forum on July 26. (Edgard Garrido/REUTERS)
2. [OLYMPIC IMPRESSIONS] Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz Wins Historic First Gold for Philippines
It was a women empowerment extravaganza in the sport of weightlifting, with first golds for several countries, and inspiring women fighting through adversity to bring people together.
Read more here.
Judoka Takato Naohisa triumphs on July 24 in the men's under-60 kg category final. (Hannah McKay/REUTERS)
1. OLYMPICS | Japan’s Medal Tally Establishes New Benchmark for Nation’s Athletes
With 58 medals, including 27 gold, at the Tokyo Games, Japan’s Olympians collected 17 more medals than the nation’s previous record. The host nation received medals in 20 of 33 sports on the Olympic menu.
Read more here.
Now read our related stories:
- A New Year's Look at the Most-Read Paralympic Stories of 2021
- A New Year's Look at the Most-Read Sports Stories of 2021
Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed on JAPAN Forward's [Japan Sports Notebook] here on Sundays, in [Odds and Evens] here during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.
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