picture of the day

Q-chan meets Godzilla

22 Comments

Sydney Olympic gold medal-winning marathon runner Naoko Takahashi shakes hands with Los Angeles Angels Hideki Matsui after throwing the honorary first pitch before the Angels' American League baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Anaheim, California, on Tuesday.

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22 Comments
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I actually like both of these people. They always seem ready with a smile, unlike some other sports folk.

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Nice smiles and I like both of them too. But why did she get to throw the first pitch at an American Baseball game?

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American culture (handshake too) embraced.

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Has Q-chan (I think that is her pet name in Japan) actually done anything since winning the gold at the 2000 Olympics?

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Godzilla Meets Q-chan. Sounds like an anime film.

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Nice set of teeth, Naoko!

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genjuro "Nice set of teeth, Naoko!"

Yes, they are a big set of choppers!

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Lol, what's with the monkey Uncle Sam on Naoko's shoulder?

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Im very impressed with this photo and more impressed with the two athletes.

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@ timorborder : I agree. Positive energy 100%.

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Matsui was traded to the Angels? I've been gone a while...

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It’s a very positive picture of two well known Japanese sports people being shown respect in America, it is however sad that the expat Americans here lack the that same generosity.

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SHE IS STILL PRETTY. I grew up on the farm. Didnt u know.

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But why did she get to throw the first pitch at an American Baseball game?

the Angels want to milk the Matsui/Japan cash cow as much as possible - get a famous J-lady to throw the pitch = more publicity.

Matsui is more than just a player at the Angels, he's a toursit drawcard, as soon as he signed they were offering Disneyland/Angels packages - catch an Angels game and mickey mouse on the same trip from Japan.

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And they will milk every dime out of that cash cow....

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A quick wikipedia search on "Q-Chan" (using her real name) and this is what turned up;

Achievements:

2001 Berlin Marathon - world record

2000 Olympic Games - gold medal

Obviously she has been doing something other than sport to keep her in the Geinou crowd?

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Add 2005 Tokyo International Women's Marathon winner to the list.

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What else has she done besides winning an Olympic gold medal?! What have you ever done in your life? Too many haters out there.

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the monkey on her shoulder is the famous Angels ralley monkey

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http://www.alltime-athletics.com/wmaraok.htm

9th faster ever.............thats special in my opinion. A great woman.

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Ahhh, this Q-chan and this Gozilla... I was thinking something else....

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she is a cutie

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