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.
© Japan TodayQ-chan meets Godzilla
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22 Comments
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timorborder
I actually like both of these people. They always seem ready with a smile, unlike some other sports folk.
Gurukun
Nice smiles and I like both of them too. But why did she get to throw the first pitch at an American Baseball game?
my2sense
American culture (handshake too) embraced.
smartacus
Has Q-chan (I think that is her pet name in Japan) actually done anything since winning the gold at the 2000 Olympics?
Noripinhead
Godzilla Meets Q-chan. Sounds like an anime film.
genjuro
Nice set of teeth, Naoko!
mayhem
genjuro "Nice set of teeth, Naoko!"
Yes, they are a big set of choppers!
Derelict
Lol, what's with the monkey Uncle Sam on Naoko's shoulder?
masterkun05
Im very impressed with this photo and more impressed with the two athletes.
nath
@ timorborder : I agree. Positive energy 100%.
shayouzoku
Matsui was traded to the Angels? I've been gone a while...
grafton
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.
masterkun05
SHE IS STILL PRETTY. I grew up on the farm. Didnt u know.
Carcharodon
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.
virgo
And they will milk every dime out of that cash cow....
MartyP
A quick wikipedia search on "Q-Chan" (using her real name) and this is what turned up;
Obviously she has been doing something other than sport to keep her in the Geinou crowd?
MartyP
Add 2005 Tokyo International Women's Marathon winner to the list.
wontond
What else has she done besides winning an Olympic gold medal?! What have you ever done in your life? Too many haters out there.
marsnairb
the monkey on her shoulder is the famous Angels ralley monkey
masterkun05
http://www.alltime-athletics.com/wmaraok.htm
9th faster ever.............thats special in my opinion. A great woman.
kumasan1969
Ahhh, this Q-chan and this Gozilla... I was thinking something else....
meloveulongtime
she is a cutie