Japan ends Tokyo 2020 with record medal haul | Inquirer Sports

Japan ends Tokyo 2020 with record medal haul

/ 02:29 PM August 08, 2021
Japan tokyo 2020 delegation

Japan’s delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP)

TOKYO – Japan concluded the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with a record haul of 27 gold medals, far exceeding the previous high of 16 at the 2000 Athens Olympics.

Mitsugi Ogata, general manager for Japan’s national delegation, lauded the athletes on Sunday, saying he was “happy we could deliver some uplifting news.”

ADVERTISEMENT

There were concerns about the Games being written off as “unnecessary” amid a pandemic, but with the performances of the Japanese athletes, organizers “have gradually gained the understanding of the public,” he said at a news conference.

Japan’s total medal tally stands at 58, also a record and more than the previous high of 37 medals at Athens.

FEATURED STORIES

That includes medals in surfing and climbing and a gold for Tokyo local Yuto Horigome in skateboarding – all three among sports that made their Olympics debut in Tokyo.

Japan also steadily clocked up medals in judo, with Uta and Hifumi Abe becoming the first siblings in Olympic history to win gold medals on the same day.

Initial projections by data company Gracenote had pegged Japan’s expected medal haul this year at 60.

Japan also faced some big disappointments as tennis star and top medal contender Naomi Osaka got knocked out in the third round of the competition, a few days after she stood in the spotlight lighting the Olympic torch at the opening ceremony.

Also in golf, high-profile Hideki Matsuyama failed to bag a bronze at the men’s competition.

While most of the public remained opposed to the Games this year, after they were postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, the IOC has touted the high TV viewership to show the Japanese public’s support of the event.

TV ratings for a football semi-final between Japan and Spain at one point soared to 43%, according to the Daily Yomiuri.

ADVERTISEMENT

Organizers have also hailed their success in preventing a COVID-19 superspreader event among Olympic staff and athletes.

However, daily coronavirus cases in the host city have ballooned during the Games, exceeding previous highs and at one point reaching over 5,000 cases.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Read Next
Don't miss out on the latest news and information.

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.

TAGS: Tokyo Olympics
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our sports news

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.



© Copyright 1997-2023 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more, please click this link.