Japan finally gets a medal

[agnosto]

Congratulations are in order for Ms. Arakawa on her gold medal in figure skating.












Now we just have to survive the 3-4 months of bragadocious Japanese media....and the countless replayings of her victory; god help us all in this hour of crisis.

[Lilith_Angel]

All right!!! About time!

[aha yes]

Good for Arakawa. What a smooth program. I didn't really care who won once Michelle Kwan withdrew... I have a soft spot for Sasha Cohen but it's no surprise she fcuked up when it mattered. She usually does.

The media can play it up all they want. It is, after all, Japan's only medal this year (almost big loss of face to the world and um...China and Korea, who already had golds :eek: ;)), and it's Japan's first ever gold in the expressive sport of figure skating. At least people will shut up about Miki Ando and her quadruple jump. Arakawa just showed that a precocious kid with good technical skill is only halfway there.

The guys beside me in the office just keep saying, "Yokatta, yokatta" over and over. I don't think they know or care jackshit about skating, but they'll take what they can get. They'd be saying the same if Japan had won in curling.

[Nonbe]

Now we just have to survive the 3-4 months of bragadocious Japanese media....and the countless replayings of her victory; god help us all in this hour of crisis.

Try the next 4 years...

[cutyourhair]

Expect a statue to be erected somewhere.

[Jacque_S]

The media can play it up all they want. It is, after all, Japan's only medal this year

Not that I give 2 sh'ts for the Olympics, and congrats to her for winning, but doesn't it seem so Japanese to whoop it up when someone pulls thru at the last minute, giving them an excuse to ignore the disastrous first 11 days?

[Stone-Cold Soba]

Try the next 4 years...
That's nothing! The English are still bragging about how they hammered the krauts in '66.

(Appropriately in a way, as three of them played for the Hammers.)

Soba

[sankokujin]

Congrats to her:)

She did it when it mattered while the pre-hyped rivals floundered and blew it. I always like it when that kind of thing happens in sport, whatever the nationalities involved.

Plus, she was so much sexier than the other two medalists (although granted I have more than a touch of yellow fever these days) and so modest in victory. And I so love modesty in pro sports cuz it is a rapidly diminishing quality these days...

...Usually, winners of things like this punch the air with clenched fists and whoop and yell, before mouthing off in TV interviews about "how I knew I was gonna do it cuz mom and my trainer have told me I am the best since I was 3 and hey, have you got any more gum I can chew in this obnoxious way?."

So let Japan enjoy her victory and give credit where it's due!

[Nanbanjin]

I watched a some of the figure skating previews last night. I preferred the other chick, I think her name was 村主 or something. Not that I'm an expert on figure skating, but she kind of looked cool.

[sankokujin]

I watched a some of the figure skating previews last night. I preferred the other chick, I think her name was 村主 or something. Not that I'm an expert on figure skating, but she kind of looked cool.

Yeah, but something about Arakawa's face is just so....foxy! And she's pretty tall as well, taller than the othe rtwo medallists (although Sasha Cohen is a short arse by anyone's standards).

Actually, Arakawa has that firmer jaw line and narrower eyes look which always reminds me of Koreans (and which I'd take anyday over that pudgy, round, moon-faced look that so many Japanese have).

Her eyes betray a naughty side that some lucky guy is gonna discover someday:)

[oblivion]

Figure skating and sign language are the two things in life I have irrational fears of.
Something completely demonic about the both of them.

[Jacque_S]

Congrats to her:)

So let Japan enjoy her victory and give credit where it's due!

Problem isn't that they'll enjoy it - it's that they'll use it to deflect attention from the fact that their Olympics were a disaster.

Let's face it - even for those of us who know little and care less about figure skating or the Olympics, she accomplished something that (as far as I know) no non-whitey has ever done, in a sport renowned for its prejudiced, nationalistic 'judging' and backroom deals, during its greatest showcase, against heavily hyped competition. She deserves every ounce of credit she's gonna get. But we all know that won't be the spin that's put on it, more likely the media types (esp. NHK, which has lost a bundle on the Olympics) will try to use her to recoup their losses, and will be able to paint this Olympics as successful for Japan, even though on balance it was so disastrous that they even made Canada look good. (Now that's scary...) So I'm guessing the overkill on this girl will be worse than even the Japanese media usually conjures up. Get ready for all Arakawa, all the time.

[aha yes]

Congrats to her:)

She did it when it mattered while the pre-hyped rivals floundered and blew it. I always like it when that kind of thing happens in sport, whatever the nationalities involved....

And I so love modesty in pro sports cuz it is a rapidly diminishing quality these days...
Not to take anything away form her victory but rather to add to it, only in Japan was there undeserved hype, where Ando was illogically the young national hopeful. Internationally, Arakawa was picked as a fav along with her rivals Cohen and Slutskaya. She's a mature skater with a World Championship title. There was nothing here as dramatic as the last couple of Olympics when flash-in-the-pan skaters upset the first tier then dropped off the map... After the short program, when the top three spots were all within a few tenths of a point, it was anybody's game, and Arakawa stayed calm and on her feet while the other two choked.

The rest of the Games aside, I'm a women's figure skating addict. I go see them live when I can. Part of it probably has to do with legs and short skirts...but it really is a beautiful sport when done well. I used to get chills watching Michelle Kwan in her prime, and there's not much to be said about her looks.

BTW Re: modesty in pro sports, competitive figure skating is not a pro sport. But I know what you mean, and Michelle Kwan was also endearingly modest in victory.

[nosferatu]

I'm not a big follower of figure skating. Infact the last time I had any interest in it was when I was a kid being forced to watch Torvil and Dean swirl around to that "Bolero" tune.

But I really have to say she was great!! And my god is she fit. Let's hope that this triggers a series of scantily-clad endorsements in mens magazines.... featuring her I mean....not Torvil and Dean.

[Zap!You'reFrozen]

But we all know that won't be the spin that's put on it, more likely the media types (esp. NHK, which has lost a bundle on the Olympics) will try to use her to recoup their losses, and will be able to paint this Olympics as successful for Japan, even though on balance it was so disastrous that they even made Canada look good. (Now that's scary...)

HEY! We're in FIFTH PLACE in the medal standings, with as many medals as Russia! Mind you, all that matters to must Canucks is how the men's hockey team did, and as those overpaid, malingering spoiled brats we call NHLers managed to bung it up again, there will indeed be no joy in Mudville.

Speaking of hockey and media obsessions, Canadians still go on about the Paul Henderson goal that won us the Canada-Soviet Summit Series back in 1972. Mind you, these are mostly Toronto Maple Leafs fans who have had nothing to cheer about since 1967.

Kudos to Arakawa-san for sticking it to the Russkies!

[Jacque_S]

"HEY! We're in FIFTH PLACE in the medal standings, with as many medals as Russia! Mind you, all that matters to must Canucks is how the men's hockey team did, and as those overpaid, malingering spoiled brats we call NHLers managed to bung it up again, there will indeed be no joy in Mudville."

Hardly makes up for the overhyped failures over the years. Remember those Michael Smith Mars bar commercials, and the pathetic excuses he always had for not winning a medal, or not even finishing? Ben Johnson? That woman who was the world-champ hurdler who tripped in the last summer Olympics? et al. Canada is also the only nation to host the Olympics and not win a gold medal on its own turf - and that happened twice. I dare you to try using the words 'glory', 'Canada', and 'Olympics' in the same sentence.

It was always claimed that all Canada had to do to win gold in hockey was have the NHLers eligible to play. Now they're eligible to play. No more excuses allowed.

"Speaking of hockey and media obsessions, Canadians still go on about the Paul Henderson goal that won us the Canada-Soviet Summit Series back in 1972. Mind you, these are mostly Toronto Maple Leafs fans who have had nothing to cheer about since 1967."

Henderson's goal was set up by a Bobby Clarke cheap-shot that broke one of the Soviet guy's ankles. Not that I'm under any illusions that the dirty Russkies wouldna done the same thing, but why brag about something that happened over 30 years ago against a nation and society that failed miserably and no longer exists?

Japan's Olympic athletes are even more overhyped than Canada's, probably because there's more infantile jingoism here. I'm sure Japan's overrated speed skaters and ski jumpers are thanking their lucky stars for Ara-chan, since her win and the ensuing media hype will take the spotlight away from their dismal failures. I bet there's no talk about a disappointing Olympics on NHK tonight. Kinda like the French army saying they won at Verdun.

[sincity]

Problem isn't that they'll enjoy it - it's that they'll use it to deflect attention from the fact that their Olympics were a disaster.



You're right, Jacques, and it's a serious problem. If I were an NHK honcho I'd go on air myself and announce to the citizens of Japan that they stink, every man, woman and child, and replay each shameful performance minus the perfunctory "he did his best" horseshit and replace it with truthful commentary such as "He oughtta stay on his knees and beg the snow's forgiveness." Whatever the cost I would ensure that the nation was completely demoralized in spite of Arakawa's gold. Because that's what the Olympics are about - crushing the human spirit.

I don't what the F you're talking about Canada underachieving though...Forget the summer games cuz there aren't any camels or kangaroos where I come from but Canada has performed consistently well in the last three Winter Olympics, finishing 5th overall in Salt Lake City and 4th in Nagano.

I think you've just got a case of poo-mouth, Jacque. Hey, it's your body and I'm sure it beats being a vegetarian but I really think you should close the door when you get like this...

[Jacque_S]

I don't what the F you're talking about Canada underachieving though...Forget the summer games cuz there aren't any camels or kangaroos where I come from but Canada has performed consistently well in the last three Winter Olympics, finishing 5th overall in Salt Lake City and 4th in Nagano.

I think you've just got a case of poo-mouth, Jacque. Hey, it's your body and I'm sure it beats being a vegetarian but I really think you should close the door when you get like this...

Sorry to have touched a nerve, sinnie. I forgot that most likely you were conceived in Tuktoyaqtuq in the aftermath of an exciting Canadian bronze in the luge, while the lysol flowed freely

[arginjapan]

Not that I give 2 sh'ts for the Olympics
I agree with that sentiment, and it's one of the reasons why I have largely avoided posting on Olympic-themed threads. Having said that, for someone who cares as little as you claim to, you've spent a lot of time posting about it. So I have to wonder if perhaps you care a bit more than you are willing to admit.

[Jacque_S]

I agree with that sentiment, and it's one of the reasons why I have largely avoided posting on Olympic-themed threads. Having said that, for someone who cares as little as you claim to, you've spent a lot of time posting about it. So I have to wonder if perhaps you care a bit more than you are willing to admit.

Oh the shame of having been outted twice on the same thread, by such a disparate lot as sincity and argie..at least you 2 finally agree on something.

[User Name Deleted]

Japan finally wins a medal at the 鳥のオリンピック。

Congratulations to Arakawa.

[arginjapan]

Oh the shame of having been outted twice on the same thread, by such a disparate lot as sincity and argie..at least you 2 finally agree on something.
Hey, far be it from me to interrupt the mud-wrestling match between you and sincity-all I'm saying is that talking about that which you don't care about never has as much power as not talking about it at all.

Having said that, I agree about the men's ice hockey team; they acted like Canadians should be honored that they represented them, not the other way around. No passion, no desire.

[aha yes]

...all I'm saying is that talking about that which you don't care about never has as much power as not talking about it at all.
Argh, I read that sentence 3 times and still can't quite get my head around it. Could you be, err...give, another example?

Once more, congrats, kudos, flowers and Pocky to Ms. Arakawa! Olympic gold, baby!! (I'm gonna keep saying that for the next 3-4 months, if not the next 4 years.)

[B1-B2]

woopdefukindoooooo!!!! We Got One!!!!
the Games are over rated and a great waste of money

[Ed Ob]

Congratulations to the stunning Miss Arakawa.

And to all you cynics who worry about how much the Japanese will celebrate why don't you all p1ss off back to your own country.

Intelligent, beautiful, graceful and extremely talented. What, that is not to be appreciated? Why shouldn't that be repeatedly shown on TV? You don't like those things in your country?

And just to balance things, I've also seen the footage of Miki-shouldn't have been there in the first place, amari kawakunai - Ando falling on her oversized arse umpteen times, umpteen times.

Arakawa-san had more class, in every way, than all the others, especially the awful Sasha Coen.

Mikite Shmikite

Arakawa is pure gold.

[diva]

Arakawa is a cold-blooded 'win at any price' robo-contestant.

Miki is.....(walks away for a few minutes to compose himself)

Miki.....

(starts weeping)


....

[cutyourhair]

Goodbye Ando Miki!

Hello next teenage girl that oyaji's want to molest!

[diva]

Everybody Stop Making Fun Of Miki!!!!!!!!

[Ed Ob]

Hee-hee-hee

[diva]

photos are fine...

god help me if you can post 'sound files' of her....less than intelligent...speech

[Nonbe]

She`s like a female Japanese Beckham. I don`t care if she can skate or not.

I`ll give her a quadruple twist any nigt of the week.

I was watching the olympics, and I realised what Arakawa looked like.

See fig 1, where a spin went awry and she became snagged by a middle aged fisherman.


fig. 1 (Pike Jawed example 1)

[ptyk]

what is the dirt on Arakawa? anybody have any stories on her personal life to relate? i vacillate b/n thinking she's stunning and thinking she's not. it's the underbite that's doing it.

[kurogane]

photos are fine...

god help me if you can post 'sound files' of her....less than intelligent...speech



Ando senshu ha dou yatte anna fu ni tobundesuka?





Miki ha ne, pyuuuu to tobu no.


C'mon guys, she's 17 ferchrissakes.

Now, that Arakawa, she's of a different breed: old, ugly, overmade, and a boring skater to boot.

Figure skating is for wimmins and limpers. Figure skaters, however, when properly trained, can loop da loop with me any day.

[kurogane]

what is the dirt on Arakawa? anybody have any stories on her personal life to relate? i vacillate b/n thinking she's stunning and thinking she's not. it's the underbite that's doing it.

Yes, stunned she is. Overmade up, too. A boot.

I say boot her.

BTW, where did that very clever post I made of Miki's bum go to?

I need, umm, motivational asisstance.........................