naomi osaka
Simone Biles says Naomi Osaka inspired her to focus on mental health
Simone Biles has credited Naomi Osaka for her decision to pull out from the gymnastics team final at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday, saying the tennis star inspired her to “focus on my mental health.”
Why this matters: Biles’ exit has raised awareness on how mental health is equally important to physical health, especially among athletes in high-stress environments such as the Games. Last month, Osaka dropped out of the French Open to give herself a break from social anxiety and “long bouts of depression.”
Naomi Osaka advances into Olympics third round feeling ‘refreshed and happy’
Naomi Osaka is back on the court, and she’s already won the first two matches in the beginning days of her Olympics debut in Tokyo.
On to the third round: Representing Japan in the Games, Osaka faced off against China’s Zheng Saisai on Sunday and defeated her opponent 6-1, 6-4 in Ariake Tennis Park’s Centre Court. In the second round on Monday, she defeated Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic, 6-3, 6-2.
Australian sports writer doesn’t think Naomi Osaka is Japanese enough to light Olympic torch
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka is apparently not Japanese enough to light the Olympic cauldron, as far as one Australian journalist is concerned.
Fanning the flame: In his article for The Australian, titled “Burning question: How Japanese is Naomi Osaka?”, writer Will Swanton claimed the Tokyo Olympic committee “got it wrong” by having Osaka light the symbolic torch during the Games’ opening ceremony on Friday.
Naomi Osaka becomes first Haitian and Japanese woman on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, gets bullied for it
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese woman and Black female athlete to appear on Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition cover.
Making history: Osaka, who is representing Japan in the Tokyo Olympics later this month, shared the historic cover for SI’s 2021 Swimsuit issue with rapper Megan Thee Stallion and activist Leyna Bloom, reported USA Today.
Naomi Osaka shines light on backlash over representing Japan at Olympics in new Netflix series
In her new self-titled Netflix docuseries, Naomi Osaka discusses the backlash she received for representing Japan instead of the U.S. at the Tokyo Games.
No surprise: The 23-year-old Haitian-Japanese player said her decision to play for Japan at the Olympics should not surprise her critics, noting that she has been playing for her birth country since she was 14, Insider reported.
Naomi Osaka announces second Barbie doll, sells out in a couple hours
Mattel designed a new Barbie doll modeled after tennis star Naomi Osaka as part of their Role Model series.
The doll: This is the second time Barbie created a doll after Osaka. The first one was in 2019 as part of Mattel’s 60th Anniversary collection, reported Los Angeles Times.
Naomi Osaka wins ‘Best Athlete, Women’s Sports’ at her first ESPY Awards on ESPN
Naomi Osaka made her first appearance at ESPN’s ESPY Awards on Saturday and took home the award for Best Athlete, Women’s Sports.
The award show: The 23-year-old pro tennis player thanked everyone who supported her during the brief acceptance speech she delivered at the award show, according to Deadline.
‘Athletes are humans’: Naomi Osaka ‘excited’ to play at Tokyo Olympics after weeks of recharge
Naomi Osaka said she is now excited to compete again at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics after spending weeks with loved ones to recharge and have time to reflect.
Fully charged and ready: In an essay for TIME magazine, the 23-year-old tennis player shed further light on why she stepped away from the game in May.
Three-part Naomi Osaka documentary series produced by Lebron James to premiere on Netflix
Netflix’s upcoming documentary series about Naomi Osaka gives viewers a look into her private life, the challenges she faced and what it’s like to be one of the world’s best tennis players.
Watchlist: Titled “Naomi Osaka,” the three-part series follows Osaka “during a historic two years in which she works on her game but also begins to find her voice,” according to Deadline.
Naomi Osaka wants to ‘inspire’ girls to change ‘expectations’ in Olympics ‘Stronger Together’ campaign
Naomi Osaka joins Usain Bolt and Tony Hawk in the Olympics “Stronger Together” video series campaign to discuss stereotypes and embracing individuality.
Osaka’s feature: The tennis star is making her Olympic debut and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched her story as part of their latest campaign on July 8.
Naomi Osaka, H.E.R. and Silk Sonic Take Home Wins at 2021 BET Awards
Several stars of Black and AAPI descent, from Naomi Osaka and H.E.R. to Silk Sonic, received awards during this year’s Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.
Nominees and winners: The award show took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 27, according to CBS News.
Naomi Osaka Motivated to Win Olympic Gold to Inspire Younger Generation in Japan
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka hopes to inspire younger generations and make her home country proud by winning an Olympic gold medal.
Going for gold: The 23-year-old athlete, who will represent Japan during the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, told Business Insider that such a feat would mean the world to her.