Shizuka Arakawa to be TV commentator for Olympics

Thursday 22nd May, 06:52 AM JST

TOKYO —

TV Tokyo has signed up Shizuka Arakawa, 26, who won the figure skating gold medal at the Turin Olympics, to be a commentator for its Beijing Olympic programs, along with freelance announcer Hitoshi Kusano, 64.

Arakawa said, “Every athlete has a passion to rise to greater heights. That’s what I would like to report on. To be honest, I’m more nervous about going on the air than when I was at the Turin Olympics.”

Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

Ninjazilla at 10:41 AM JST - 22nd May

Theres a great clip on youtube where some crusty old politician makes a joke that she only won because the other two screwed up,her reaction is priceless.
Fair dinkum! at 11:03 AM JST - 22nd May

Luckily, I have cable TV, so I will be saved the pain of the Japanese commentaries.
Stallion at 11:32 AM JST - 22nd May

where the clip ninjizilla
apecNetworks at 11:43 AM JST - 22nd May

** Shizuka Arakawa, figure skating gold medalist,Turin Olympics**

She has a chance to become "immortal". The only Japanese Gold Medalist in Turin, the first Japanese to win Gold in one of the most prestigious events, if not THE most prestigious event in the Winter Olympics. She retired afterwards, so pundits can only guess if the win was luck, or if it was from a champion. However, she knows and everyone else knows, no matter what people said, she has the Gold Medal and she earned it. There is no question.

The reason I say, she may become immortal, is that whenever Gold Medal winners of the past will be shown, all Japanese media MUST include her because she accomplished soooooo many "firsts" w/ the win. Sorta like, "Mitsuo Tsukahara". Soooooo many great champions are shown in the Olympics.
netrek at 05:04 PM JST - 22nd May

Why did she retire so young? She is only 26!
OssanULTRA at 01:48 AM JST - 23rd May

I hope she does the whole job wearing ice skates.
RomeoRamenII at 02:06 AM JST - 23rd May

Damn. I was hoping the members of SMAP would be given the chance to be commentators. Japan sees so little of them on TV these days. They could use the exposure.

RR
RomeoRamenII at 02:10 AM JST - 23rd May

Wonder if she'll be wearing her Turin bling around her neck as part of her on-camera attire.

RR
Altria at 01:10 PM JST - 23rd May

J-TV Olympic coverage: non-stop Judo and swimming, with commentary from an ice-skater.
Leonmkfan at 02:06 PM JST - 23rd May

She is beautiful, very approachable if fans are not in a mob. She is elegant and truly a great representative of Japan and figure skating. Many commentators do sports they never participated in, many never even competed above high school in any sport. Japan is so lucky to have such a gorgeous dignified respected Queen of Olympic Ice. She is also a very good person. Shizuka knows Olympic pressure and the other athletes will respect her and give her great attention. She can be great fun as she shared clown nose with me in Korea Festa on Ice last week! http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1286/6264247/19610475/317687840.jpg
KyouNoNippon at 02:56 PM JST - 23rd May

Wow Leon.
thepro at 11:20 PM JST - 23rd May

She has absolutely no personality
BigHitHappyBody at 04:30 AM JST - 24th May

Hey ease up on the lady. I'm sure she'll be as good or better than many of the other commentators we've seen in the past. Nice pic Leon. I think she's cute too!
omarbabilon at 03:02 PM JST - 24th May

For sure she doesnt have personality and i think she is not qualified, because in this case, the person who should give any coments must be somebody who have enough experience to do it, in this case any experienced trainer, no a "skating queen" who feels uncapable to continue with her career, and retire at 26 y.o., where is her sports spirit?, or she only wanted to win once and later go back happy her house?. Lucky you if you have cable TV, japanese television is full with faces without any emotion and empty heads. SMAP????!!!.... please somebody give us a break to not see one of them for one day.
Sarge at 02:56 PM JST - 2nd June

Leon - You should submit that picture to JT for picture of the day!