- During the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday, tennis star Naomi Osaka made a surprise appearance to light the Olympic cauldron.
- The 23-year-old, four-time grand slam champion was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Haitian-American father and is competing in the Olympics for the first time this year.
- "Undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honor I will ever have in my life," Osaka wrote on Instagram of the honor. "I have no words to describe the feelings I have right now but I do know I am currently filled with gratefulness and thankfulness."
Naomi Osaka played an important role in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo Friday night. The 23-year-old tennis star had the honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron and officially kicking off the summer games.
Osaka, whose mother is Japanese and father is Haitian-American, was born in Japan and moved to the United States when she was three years old. The four-time grand slam champion competing in the Olympics for the first time this year, making her debut in her home country.
While her appearance at the end of the opening ceremony was a surprise, some did catch a major hint that Osaka might be participating in the cauldron-lighting ceremony when, earlier on Friday, Olympic organizers requested to have her opening match pushed back from Saturday to Sunday, according to CNN.
On Friday, Osaka took to Instagram to share what the honor meant to her. "Undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honor I will ever have in my life," she captioned a series of photos commemorating the moment. "I have no words to describe the feelings I have right now but I do know I am currently filled with gratefulness and thankfulness ❤️ love you guys thank you."
In a followup post featuring video of her lighting the cauldron, Osaka wrote, "still trying to wrap my head around what just happened, crazy."
RELATED STORIES
-
Prince Andrew's Business Advisor Accused of Being a "Spy" and Banned From the U.K."We found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor."
-
Kate Middleton Allegedly Rejected Idea to Seat Prince Andrew "Behind a Pillar" at Her Christmas Carol Concert"Although very much a family affair... there was no space for Uncle Andy."
-
32 Celebrities Who Got Their Start on Reality TVBelieve it or not.
-
Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
-
Jennifer Garner Is Reportedly Ready to Cut Ties With Jennifer Lopez, Unless Their Kids Are Involved"Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved."
-
Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet ShotSo freaking cute.
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic CharactersTalk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
-
The Question on Everyone's Lips: Did Beyoncé Skip the 2024 MTV VMAs?It's been a few years since she last graced the carpet with her presence.
-
Why Isn't Selena Gomez at the 2024 VMAs?Her absence became even more noticeable after her bestie Taylor Swift showed up.
-
Jennifer Lopez Thought Ben Affleck Was a "Changed Man" But Being Married to Him Was "Impossible""Friends think he is selfish, sullen, impossible to please most of the time and negative."
-
Naomi Osaka Is Pregnant With Her First ChildSuch lovely news!
