In magazine Number (Edition: 938, Released: October, 26) featuring: 「ミラクルガールズ。 Miracles Girls 東京まであと1000日 1000 more days to Tokyo 新世界王者対談 New World Champion Interview 阿部一二三（柔道）x 奥原希望（バドミントン） 「2020、最高の舞台で頂点へ」 Abe Kazuko (Judo) with Nozomi Okuhara (Badminton) "2020, to the top with the best stage"
Hmmm,... but Honda Marin is the cover girl. Actually, in "Number 930" (July 13, 2017), there is a special feature entitled "帰還。物語は続いていく” (Return - the story continues"), which carries an interesting 4-page article on Momota following his appearance and win in the Japan Ranking Circuit. Seven 'comeback heroes' in the sporting world were covered and, of these, five had their names clearly spelt out on the magazine cover. Momota was one of the two omissions (along with Ferderer).
Do you think that ice skating more popular than badminton in Japan? Or it is just coincidence with next Winter Olympic which making Honda Marin chosen as cover magazine?
Actually, it is a combination of both. Ice-skating has a huge following in Japan; Asada Mao (now retired), Hanyu Yuzuru, and Uno Shoma have kept/keep the sport in constant limelight, and entire bookshelves and television programmes are devoted to it..., unlike badminton. Bluntly put, badminton is gritty and sweaty, and lacks that fairy-tale dimension that appeals to, especially, the female Japanese audience.
But badminton is very athletic and seriously imho, Momota needs a manga dedicated to him if can make it back to National Team.
WC Gold medal should attract more fans in Japan. And NO brings the second WC gold for Japan after the first ever in 1977 (40 years ago) presented by WD pair, Etsuko Toganoo/Emiko Ueno.
Momota's story goes beyond the manga level. If he gets a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, it has all the ingredients for a great movie!!
Just last month I was talking about that with my friend ahahhaa But, I was also expressing my expectation of Nozomi's story to be made into manga. Well, she also has a lot of 'come back' because of her injury. Of course, the epic final match against Sindhu should be included Maybe we can sort of have a 'Diamond no Ace' which the main character is not very dominant, especially with badminton has 5 events, means more players in the team A little bit romance can be put in as well because of that
Actually yeah it could include the 5 events and not only Momota. But with Momota being the main character. It should be Haikyuu quality though, the smashes and the jumps!
I have to admit, this very funny Seeing her doing her routines by bowing to the corners, just to finish the match 1 minute later At least I enjoy her 'belly dance'
Now that I think about it, nozomi always writes a post on Twitter before she is to play in a tournament and she did not post anything about the China Open. So I guess this should have not surprised me.
Nozomi posted a new article on her blog saying (in parts) roughly: "Same as last year. I retired in the first round this year too. I am recovering but not enough to play the game yet. To have been able to stand on court with my Daihatsu Japan Open uniform, just that makes me very happy. I want to do more! I want to chase the shuttle more here! that's what I thought. But for now I have endure, so I endured and chose to abstain" The rest is kinda hard to understand (with my limited japanese skills) but she is basically saying that herself does not know when will she be able to play 100%, she still does the best she can everyday even though it is sometimes tough. In those though time she reminds herself that she has to believe in her abilities and continue to cheer herself up and that no matter how much she is giving up, she is not giving up hope. that these trials will make her stronger. http://ameblo.jp/okuharanozomi/entry-12328799471.html?timestamp=1510798787
It seems it's been confirmed that Okuhara will not be at the upcoming SS Finals (source). Wish her a prompt recovery and looking forward to watching her play again next year.
