#tokyo summer olympics

[futarinokinenbi]

Matsumoto Jun Live Stream Part 1 20220624:

0:15

M: In the beginning of this year, I had the opportunity to do Arashi Radio special with Sakurai-kun. That time, it's been a while but he said, let's go for a meal. So I said, sounds good, let’s go! What did I say again? I think, I said, Wednesday. He was like, which day are you free? So I was like, {Wednesday} is free! It was like, in that case let’s save the date then we went. The two of us ate together… what did we talk about again? We didn’t talk about anything important. When was it, he went with Aiba-kun for snowboarding? Skiing? Something like that. But when they met up in the morning, there was somebody else. When he looked closely it was Kotoge! He told me that happily before talking about it on variety. It was memorable. That kind of small talks with no real content. We had a meal together, then we took a bit of a leisurely stroll outside. We were like, we really ate, huh… Then we said bye and went home.

M: About Nino, it’s his birthday recently, I think I had filming that day too, so I messaged him in the afternoon, like congratulations. It’s the last year of our thirties so let’s end it well, I sent a message like that.

M: As for Aiba-kun, recently… his stage play, right? I went to see his stage play. It seemed like it was tough! Did you guys see it? Well, maybe not all of you was able to see it since it’s in Tokyo and all. On Arashi’s Voyage, I think there’s a talk scene with Miyata Keiko. Aiba-kun said that time, he didn’t think he’d have the chance to do it. It became a reality so fast. When I asked him how was it? He said, it’s tough! It It’s a lot of pressure, in a good meaning. You get pushed hard to do it. Lately there’s no experience like that, right? He’s like, it’s very tough but I’m really glad.

M: Oh, that guy, huh. The oldest son! Recently, we only talked via texts. As to what it was about, it’s a genre I’m not good at. I was like, do you have recommendations? Then he sent me 5-6 things, like, I recommend this one, and this one, and this one. When I asked him if he was doing well, he said he caught a cold. So I was like, please rest. I was like, I’m sorry. That kind of conversation. Please take it easy, kind of like that. So it isn’t like we don’t keep in touch. Everyone in Arashi is more or less like this.

💜💜💜💜💜　　　

0:47:50

M: I heard about Sakurai-kun writing rap lyrics for KAT-TUN. Was it when we ate together… No, I think it was before that. Year-end? Beginning of the year? No, it was at the beginning of the year, the day after we went eating, it was the day of KAT-TUN members' recording. He said something like that. Not the KAT-TUN version, but the version Sakurai Sho sings, he sang it for {KAT-TUN members}, the temporary version of the rap. I feel like I listened to it. I was like, hey, hey, this is a nice groove!

❤️💜　❤️💜　❤️💜　❤️💜　❤️💜

Matsumoto Jun Live Stream Part 2 20220917:

0:07

M: About Sakurai-kun. Is he doing okay? About two days ago, he messaged me. I thought talking through the phone would be faster, so I said, is it okay {if I call you} now? He said it was okay so I called him and we talked for a bit. He sounded lively. When I asked him if he was okay, he said something like, surprisingly, I'm okay.

💜💜💜💜💜

0:32

Nakajima: The first time I ever stood on the Tokyo Dome stage, it was for an Arashi concert.

M: Eh? When?

Nakajima: It was... in 2008. M: If it's 2008, then it could be Time or Dream-A-Live.

Nakajima: I suppose so. M: Was it when Sakurai-kun broke his bone?

M: He didn't break it? He broke it in a Tokyo concert.

Nakajima: It broke? During the concert? M: Was Tokyo after he broke it?

❤️💜　❤️💜　❤️💜　❤️💜　❤️💜

Sakurai Sho Voice Live Stream 20221014:

0:04:30 S: Matsujun... Matsumoto-kun did a video live stream recently, right? I thought, that guy is really amazing. How should I say it, his consideration... I thought, he's a kind person because when he starts shooting for the taiga drama, he loses the chance to appear on media for half a year or so, so that's exactly why he wanted the fan club members to see his face. I thought, he’s such an amazing person.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

0:15:10

S: Was it the day before yesterday? I moved to a new place. Don't you usually have cardboard boxes you leave unopened? So, I opened it. Then, I found things from 2010 or 2011, around those years. Ah, wait, am I wrong? Was it 2008? Well, whatever. At any rate, it was during the Beijing Olympics --the first Olympic I had the chance to take part in was the Beijing Olympics-- I found notes I used for the Beijing Olympics, Sochi Olympics. So I have them! They're not lyric notes but memo... I'm sorry I'm going off topic but... Then, various photographs emerged. The last group photograph from Arashi no Shukudai-kun, with the staff too. Everyone is in the picture but only Matsujun's face is gold because it's covered with gold powder. Everyone is normal-looking and only Matsujun… I think he was doing the Curse of the Tuthankamun. I was like, what the heck is this? So, I took a picture of it. Then there's another one, "2011 Purikura" is written on it. It’s a small envelope. That one is also maybe, Arashi-chan... It was maybe taken on Himitsu no Arashi-chan... A two-shot purikura with Matsujun appeared! It was quite funny so I sent the group picture where only Matsujun's face is gold-colored and the purikura photograph. Then, I received a reply from Matsujun, while wearing that warrior helmet and armor, that is, using a smartphone, he took a picture of himself reflected in the mirror wearing a warrior helmet and armor. He said, "Battle ongoing." (Laughs) I'm sorry, but... So I was like, "Sorry, sorry! Battle ongoing? I'm sorry." What kind of conversation was that. Wearing a warrior helmet and armor but using a smartphone is funny... It must be tough. I’m sorry.

#2022 #jun keeps bringing up that broken bone incident #he also did in blast in hawaii documentary #sho is so chaotic #i can only think of that one purikura set shojun did #so it’s probably that one #this is of course to celebrate satoshi-kun’s birthday #happy birthday to our dearest leader #please enjoy your summer vacation #we started 2021 with a junba date #then there’s that yama thing during the tokyo olympic that made me cry #then in 2022 we find out that ninoai videocalls #also #congratulations on the birth of your second daughter nino!

[myfavoriteshow]

but look at the structures

#etsy #vintage postcards #tokyo japan #1964 summer olympics #60s

[reportwire]

Publishing executive charged in Tokyo Olympic bribes scandal

Publishing executive charged in Tokyo Olympic bribes scandal

TOKYO — A top executive at a major Japanese publisher was charged Tuesday with bribing a former Tokyo Olympics organizing committee member. The charges against Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, a major figure in Japan’s movie and entertainment industry, are the latest in the unfolding corruption scandal related to last year’s Tokyo Summer Games. Kadokawa was arrested Sept. 14 on suspicion of bribing Haruyuki…

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#2020 Tokyo Olympic Games #Advertising and public relations #Business #Corporate bribery #Corporate news #Corporate sponsorship #Corruption in sports #Entertainment industry #Olympic games #Sports #Sports business #Sports sponsorship #Summer Olympic games

[gamesandrings]

Who can forget Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe dressed as video game character 'Super Mario' to help introduce the Tokyo 2020 preview at the Rio 2016 Closing Ceremonies? The indelible image is a classic. Beyond that, he was noted as a 'valiant supporter and a dear friend of the Olympic Movement' from the International Olympic Committee.

Rest in peace.

Image: Shinzo Abe as Super Mario (Kyodo News / AP)

#shinzo abe #abe shinzo #tokyo 2020 #Rio 2016 #closing ceremony #summer olympics

[moodyfish]

The creators of She-Hulk legitimately don't know what they're doing

I think a lot of people have heard the director state

"There's a lot of talk about her body type and we based it on Olympian athletes and not bodybuilders."

Does anyone want to know a specific "Olympian" they based She-Hulk's body off of?

"Olympian Misty Copeland was a body that we referenced, you know, of someone who was very, very, very strong, but also could walk through the world and operate in the normal world at a scale that is very large, but it's still very human because she has to go on dates she has to work in a regular office."

Misty Copeland. Misty. Freaking. Copeland. She is a goddess and an icon. Here are some of her greatest accomplishments.

"2008 Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts and was named National Youth of the Year Ambassador for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2013. In 2014, President Obama appointed Copeland to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. She is the recipient of a 2014 Dance Magazine Award and was named to the 2015 TIME 100 by TIME Magazine." - American Ballet Theatre

Misty Copeland is an amazingly talented person, who has dealt with immense struggles due to her body type, but she is not an Olympian. She's a ballerina. Ballet, by definition from Oxford Languages,

"...is characterized by light, graceful, fluid movements."

I'm especially pissed because when growing up, I was a ballerina. And my sister was a Track & Field thrower. When I heard of She-Hulk as a kid, I always imagined her looking like my sister. Looking like her build - not the ones of prima ballerinas.

While writing this, I've been sitting here thinking about how many great ACTUAL Olympians they could have used as inspiration for She-Hulk's build.

Raven Saunders aka The Hulk. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Silver Medalist in Shotput.

Hidilyn Diaz. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Gold Medalist and Record Holder in 55 KG Weightlifting.

Tamyra Mensah-Stock. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Gold Medal in Freestyle Wrestling.

There are so many incredible female Olympians they could have used as inspiration. There are so many strength-based sports. The Summer Olympics alone have 33 sports.

But they specifically wanted She-Hulk's build to be inspired by

"not bodybuilders."

Even if this meant putting more work on the VFX Artists of the show who made her larger to begin with. Sean Ruecroft, a VFX Artist who worked on Infinity War and Moon Knight, took to Twitter to let people know the struggles Marvel put their team through.

"I was at a company that did VFX for this. Apparently, she was bigger early on, but the notes kept saying to ‘make her smaller.'"

They put more work on the artists, pushing them into the same inspiration that was used for Natasha Romanoff.

"...light, graceful, fluid movements."

The creators didn't want a Hulk. They wanted grace, sex appeal, and a tiny waist on an hourglass figure.

#she-hulk #she hulk #shehulk #rant #Olympics #athletes #marvel #Disney

[averagewriter-inthedark]

Ridin’ The Waves 🏄‍♀️ | Javy “Coyote” Machado Imagine

Takes place before, during and after the events of TGM

TGM masterlist

Characters & Pairings: Javy “Coyote” Machado x pro surfer!reader (romantic), dagger squad (platonic)

Content Warnings: fluff, profanity, pop culture references, details of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics | female!reader (she/her) | wc: 9.1k

Requested 📨 yes/no (for @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby)

Premise: From the moment she could walk Y/n L/n belonged to the sea. Riding the waves that started as a hobby, only to lead her to the world’s greatest sporting stage. It would take time before her dream of Olympic Gold would happen as surfing had yet to be recognized by the IOC. But in her pursuit of becoming the greatest female surfer of all time, Y/n found who she believed was the closest person to paradise.

Note: I gotta say writing athlete/Olympian!reader imagines with the dagger squad are truly some of my favorite. Gosh I cannot wait for next year because that means…..2024 Olympics 👀 Guys I’m almost done with my semester! I have less than two weeks and all i have left to do is a paper and final project !! Almost to the finish thank goodness and then I move in with my friend before starting my summer job! Hope y’all enjoyed this work and let me know what you think!

Be sure to watch the video I linked during the Rock’s segment. I didn’t make it up it actually was a segment during the opening ceremonies on NBC’s coverage.

————————

“Is this heaven?” He laid on the surfboard beside her, feet in the water with the warmth of the sun hit his back. A cool breeze was starting to set in as the most beautiful sunset was before him, painting the sky an endless murrel of pink and orange. Only the subtle echo of the low tide filled his ears. Javy pressed his cheek onto the board, finding her smile which made his own appear at her words.

“More like paradise.”

Everyone had their own definition of paradise. Maybe it was the quiet plains of Montana or the mountains of Appalachia. Maybe it was strolling down the streets of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Rain pouring down on New York City with a steaming cup of tea in hand or driving down the Pacific Coast Highway with “California Love” blasting through the radio. Reading a book by the fire next to their soulmate, dancing with strangers at a concert. Ask anyone what they viewed as their own personal paradise and the responses will vary.

Y/n L/n felt she was in paradise almost everyday of her life. Waking up to the view of the ocean while birds flew overhead. Feet hitting the sand as she ran to the waters with her board, anxiously waiting to ride the waves. Salt water coating skin and hair, sun beaming down.

Paradise.

From the moment she could walk the beach became her second home. Having grown up on the island of O’ahu Y/n learned how to surf before riding a bike. Her parents surfed. As did her siblings. Getting an instructor wasn’t needed with a family who knew everything there was about the art of surfing. Y/n received her first board at age four, and from then on her life was devoted to the water. Owning more swimsuits than t-shirts and shorts by the time she reached fifth grade.

She was a natural at best. Always predicting when and where the best waves would be. Timing the push up so perfect others—even her family—were unable to keep up.

“C’mon, leave some for the rest of us,” her brother would groan, missing a wave due to her swooping in at the last second. Y/n only laughed in return.

“Gotta be faster than that.”

Her parents, surfers themselves, were basically her coaches. On weekends they were waking her up at the crack of dawn, breakfast on the counter and telling her to be on the beach when she was done. Then of course she had to apply sunscreen, the substance coating every inch of her skin. Once on the beach a thirty minute run and stretching was mandatory before she could get in the water.

Skipping such a step would have her sore all night.

“We’re gonna work on your 360, cutback, and tube ride before finishing the day with cleaning up your alley oop.”

“If I don’t make a lot of mistakes can we watch Lilo & Stitch after dinner?”

“Yes, that is a fair deal.”

Mistakes? What are those? Mistakes weren’t in Y/n’s nature and if they occurred it was a rare sighting. Only time Y/n ever did mess up on a maneuver was when she was first learning it. Once she had it down it was impossible to lose.

All the friends she made loved going to the beaches after school and on weekends—getting all their homework done during the school hours so their entire afternoon was free. They signed up for competitions together, Y/n entering her first at age 14 for the 2004 Juniors season after competitions in regionals since age 11. “You’re gonna win the comp, Y/n.”

“Oh stop playing,” she brushed her best friend off, only to hear the murmurs of agreement from the rest of the group.

“I’m serious! You catch the best waves and ride them perfectly. Those judges are gonna be amazed on Saturday—I bet you’ll even get a sponsor.”

Her best friend was right. Not only did Rip Curl—THE Rip Curl want Y/n to be the face of their new campaign, but the surfing world would know her name for generations to come.

“Welcome back to our coverage of the 2004 ISA World Junior Surf Championship here in beautiful O’ahu, Hawaii here on ESPN. We’re dwindling down on the final competition with the defending champion from last year's event, sixteen-year-old Carolina Kanoa, and newcomer, Y/n L/n. If you’ve been watching the competition then you know all eyes have been on the fourteen-year-old native of Kapolei here on O’ahu, who scored the highest in her heats and received all tens in the quarterfinals after a perfect run.”

“It was quite the sight, Tom. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so effortless in this competition. Y/n’s delivered a captivating performance each wave she’s catched—always getting the first one in her heats and pulling out a big score putting her high on the leaderboard. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see her on top of the podium today.”

“For anyone watching at home who are new to surfing or just want a little refresh on the scoring system, here is how it works: a panel of five judges determine a score one through ten, ten being the best, for each surfer on their wave based on degree of difficulty, innovative maneuvers, combination of major maneuvers, the variety of said maneuvers, and the speed, power, and flow. The highest and lowest score are thrown out leaving the remaining three, which are then averaged out. Now a surfer can catch as many waves as they please but only the two highest scoring waves will be added together to give the total score for that heat. From there competitors are eliminated until there are two finalists.”

Treading water, Y/n paid close attention to the scene in front of her. With only three minutes left on the clock, she was one wave away from crowning herself the Junior World Champion.

“Give me a sign,” she breathed in the salty air. Her thoughts were answered seconds later by a chill running down her neck, gaze snapping to the left where she saw the water draw back. Springing into action, Y/n paddled towards the forming wave, timing it at the perfect moment to end the competition on a bang. She heard the crowd cheer when she stood up, increasing each maneuver she did until finally riding out the end of the wave right as the bullhorn sounded.

Her heart pounded, “Did I just win?” Damn sure she did. Nothing could describe the feeling of holding the championship trophy at the top of the podium. And what made it ten times better, an ambassador of Rip Curl offered her a sponsorship. Before long Y/n’s name and face were plastered across all their campaigns. After winning the ISA Junior World Championships three years in a row—making her a household name in surfing—Y/n went on to senior international competitions. From there her glory only skyrocketed.

ISA World Surfing Games, World Surf League, Rip Curl Pro, Big Wave Tour, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Y/n’s little shelf of trophies turned into a full length china cabinet. Traveling back and forth from O’ahu to America. Sometimes even going to South America and Japan for international comps. By age 19 she had created her own maneuver earning her even more attention due to the level of difficulty.

“I don’t see what the fuss is about?” She chewed on a piece of spam, leaning her elbows on the kitchen counter. “All I did was add a couple of extra spins on my aerial.” Her mother gave her a bewildered look.

“That move in itself is difficult, Y/n. Not many perform it in competition and the fact you successfully landed one—with your little spoof nonetheless, people are gonna be amazed.”

“Well, I guess I just got lucky.”

Following high school Y/n turned professional and moved to Honolulu to attend the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa where she studied sports management with a minor in sports science. A family friend had an old Volkswagen Type 2 and Y/n was happy to take it off their hands, fixing it up to have the perfect beach van. Once classes were done for the day Y/n was packing it up with her board, cooler, boombox, and her closest friends.

“You sure this thing isn’t gonna break down on us?”

“Don’t insult Sandy. She’s as good as new,” okay that was a stretch, the van was literally 60 years old, “and I filled her up on gas this morning so we shouldn’t find ourselves on the side of the road.”

“Thanks for the confidence, Y/n. Much appreciated.”

It wasn’t uncommon for people to recognize her on campus. Having generated a public image in surfing—which many of her peers were also involved in—meant she was bound to hear, “Hey, you’re Y/n L/n?” “Oh my gosh I’ve been watching you compete since you were a junior competitor.” “Congrats on winning the Pro this year.”

There were times professors kindly asked, “Can you sign this for my kid? They’ve been into surfing lately and you’re their favorite athlete.” Taking photos with supporters happened occasionally as did giving advice to those wanting to get into surfing. It was a nice feeling for the woman to be able to inspire people and share the sport she loved.

Expanding the art of surfing to the world.

Four years of college seemed to fly by fast. Y/n was surprised she managed to pull through with a 3.6 GPA and graduate Cum Laude with everything in her life. A lot of the competitions were during the school year so Y/n had lots of work on her plate—thankfully some instructors were reasonable and allowed her to get an advance on the material. But she completed her degree with immense relief, aiming to get a career in sports going either by becoming a trainer or manager following her retirement from surfing.

“Y/n, It’s so great to see you again this year at the World Surf League World Championship. You recently graduated from the University of Hawai’i, you’re set to compete in today’s finals to defend your title—how many would this be for you? Number seven?”

Y/n chuckled with the reporter, brushing away a stray piece of hair. “Lucky number seven, yes. I’m so happy and grateful to be competing today—excited to hit the water and try to catch the best waves possible. Regardless of the outcome today I’m just really happy to be here again. I always look forward to this time of year—being able to compete and after working so hard in school this last semester, it’s definitely a relief to not have to worry about finishing a paper last minute once this comp ends.”

“There’s been recent talk of surfing possibly becoming an Olympic sport after much demand following the London Games this year. What are your thoughts? Do you think it’ll be featured in Rio and if so are you going to try and make the team?”

Since becoming a professional sport in 1959 following the first West Coast Surfing Championship in Huntington Beach, California, surfing had yet to reach the greatest sporting stage. The Olympic Games. Held every four years where thousands of athletes from around the globe come together to compete for the chance at gold. Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing and three-time Olympic freestyle swimming champion having won gold at the 1912 and 1920 Games respectively, first advocated the sport to be in the Olympics back in 1920. Had it not been for him, surfing may not have become as popular in the world as it was.

When it came to the Olympics, Y/n loved sitting by the tv to watch Team USA. Witnessing historic moments and record breaking finishes she was in awe of every athlete who came across the screen. Swimming, diving, track, gymnastics, soccer. So many sports events in a single fortnight. She hoped surfing would become an official sport in the Games. For she too had dreams of an Olympic gold around her neck.

Pausing for a moment, Y/n smiled at the thought of her becoming an Olympic Champion, “I think a lot of us can agree that we’d like to see surfing become part of the Olympic family. It’s one of the oldest sports and has its own professional circuit for decades now—I mean we’ve got people here today from Japan, Italy, El Salvador and Australia. Why not include it? And you can definitely expect me to be training the moment it is.”

It would be four years before Y/n could make do with that promise. On August 3, 2016, two days prior to the opening ceremonies of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, the IOC announced surfing would finally be an Olympic sport.

“Exciting news for the surfing world,” the headline appeared on the screen of ESPN’s afternoon coverage, “the International Olympic Committee has just confirmed the sport will be introduced for the first time in its history at the Tokyo Olympics taking place in 2020–marking 100 years since surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku first started advocating for it to be featured. Professional surfing isn’t new to international competition having debuted at Huntington Beach, California in 1959. Since then there’s been several meets featuring surfers from all over the world—the most recent being the 2016 Rip Curl Pro where ten-time World Surf League champion Y/n L/n claimed the title once again for the fifth time since her senior international debut in 2007. L/n is just one of many professional surfers who’ve advocated for surfing to be in the Olympics over the years and expressed interest in competing for a chance at gold. With the confirmation by the IOC this morning, I’d say we’ll be seeing her at the trials in four years.”

The morning after the announcement Y/n headed to the beach to find her father propping her board into the sound. “So four years, huh?” Y/n crossed her arms over her chest, feeling the wind breeze past them.

“Seems like a long way, but it’ll be around the corner before we know it.”

“We better get started then.”

Morning, afternoon, evening. Every day Y/n was on the water catching waves left and right. Perfecting maneuvers, getting air in her aerials. When taking breaks she’d go on runs and to the gym. She still participated in yearly competitions and surfed with her friends, but her training habits became more intense as she prepped for Tokyo. When she wasn’t sleeping, eating, or competing she was on the water.

By 2019 Y/n had accumulated the most titles won by a female surfer with ten ISA World Surfing Games—formerly the World Surfing Championships, ten Rip Curl Pro trophies, five QuickSilver pro Gold Coast, five-time triple crown winner, and the 2016 champion of The Eddie Aikua Big Wave International. Winning The Eddie and becoming the first woman in history to do so after the event returned from a seven-year hiatus had Y/n on the front page of several sports magazines around the world. It was a huge accomplishment. Pushing Y/n as the favorite to win gold in Tokyo.

Towards the later end of the year, October in fact, Y/n found herself on the sunny beaches of San Diego, California. August to November were the best months to surf in the area, being it was late summer going into fall where the heat wasn’t excruciating. Still one had to wear a wetsuit to even touch the water.

Y/n was in town to visit an old friend from college and to help the Pacific Beach Surf Club with their beach cleanups and participate in a charity competition. Having traveled in San Diego a few times she was no stranger to the club and welcomed with open arms. Volunteering in their cleanups was the least she could do to prepare the beach for the charity event.

When they finished they all changed out of their clothes into wetsuits, wasting no time to hit the waves. “Hey!” Her friend yelled from where she was treading water, tone teasing, “be sure to leave some for the rest of us, yeah?” Y/n threw her head back in laughter.

“I make no promises!”

Anytime Y/n surfed out of training or competition she felt so free. No pressure to be perfect. No shouting from her father. No commentary from the sportscasters or questions from reporters. Only her, her board, and the beautiful sea.

She cheered on her friend and the people in their cleanup group when they caught waves. Complimenting them whenever they did a cool trick. In return they whistled and hollered for her. They soon developed an audience from the shore. Children and adults alike stop to watch them in awe. Instantly drawn to Y/n who glided effortlessly, guiding her board into a tube ride.

Unbeknownst to the surfer, a group of navy pilots had stopped their game of dogfight football to observe the show.

Jake whistled, “Damn she’s good.” Mickey agreed.

“I don’t think I’ve seen someone surf like that. She’s a natural.”

“Probably has been doing it for years,” Bradley commented, fixing his aviators. Natasha and Bob hummed in agreement.

“I think I’m in love,” Javy breathed out, simply in awe of what he was witnessing. The most beautiful woman he’d ever seen showcasing talent on a board he could only dream of possessing.

He wondered what her laugh sounded like, seeing her head tilt back at something her friend said. Even from the distance her smile was breathtaking. Hair pulled back into a tight bun, body adored in a wetsuit to combat the cool water. A cheeky smirk thrown at her peers when she started paddling toward a forming wave. Standing on the board like a pro and making all kinds of turns and tricks Javy knew he’d wipe out the second he attempted them. Speaking of wiping out, she hadn’t done it once.

Jake nudging him from the side snapped him out of his daydream, “Go talk to her.” At the nod of his head, Javy realized she was running across the sand, stopping when she got to an area of coolers, towels, and backpacks.

“No!” He hissed, eyes reading, ‘are you crazy?’

“Why not? Just go up and start complimenting her. Ask her how long she’s been surfing. That’ll start a conversation.”

Javy scoffed, “Easy for you to say, Mr. Ken Barbie Doll who doesn’t need a confidence boost when talking to women.” Jake went to rebuttals but the sound of Reuben coughing stopped him.

“Uh guys….” He lifted a finger, their gazes following to find a family of four approaching the young woman. They couldn’t hear what was being said, but seeing her take a notepad from the little girl before scribbling in what appeared to be an autograph followed by the father snapping a photo with his phone, it was enough to conclude she was someone.

“Are…is she signing autographs?” Javy wondered aloud. He watched her sign the little boy's boogie board, posing for a photo with him before kneeling down to be on both the children’s level and smile for the camera. Hell even the parents wanted a photo, one of her friends coming over to hold the phone while they positioned themselves on either side. Then finally the whole family had a group one, saying their goodbyes and thank you’s to the woman who waved as they left.

“So she’s kinda famous,” Bradley said the obvious, everyone in a daze. Probably trying to figure out who the woman was, as none had recognized her as an actress or singer.

While they were busy investigating, Y/n unzipped her wetsuit leaving her bikini underneath and pulled on shorts with a graphic t-shirt overtop. “What are you guys doing after this?”

“We’re gonna grab some drinks at The Hard Deck. You down?”

“The Hard Deck?” She repeated with a tilt of the head. Never had she heard of the place.

“It’s that bar over there,” Y/n turned to the direction her friend was nodding at, eyes landing on a building not far from where they stood. “Great vibes, but I must warn ya it’s always filled with Navy fellas.” Y/n perked up slightly. Having lived on O’ahu all her life she was familiar with Navy personnel. After all, Pearl Harbor was located just on the coast of the island.

“Really?”

“Yeah, Miramar is not too far from here. It’s where the pilots train so expect to see some in flight suits.”

At around 6 the group packed it up and headed for the bar. Upon entry Y/n saw exactly what her friend had warned. The place was buzzing. Servicemen and women on every corner, music blasting from the jukebox. They approached the bar top to order a round of beers before settling over by the high top tables, splitting the group up since there were about eight of them.

“Check it out, Machado,” Payback clapped his friend’s back, making him turn to where his attention was. Javy’s eyes widened upon seeing the surfer.

“Did they just get here?”

“Looked like it. You should talk to her—especially since this is the second sighting in mere hours.” The pilot rolled his eyes.

“I don’t wanna come off as a creep, Fitch. What am I supposed to say ‘Hey, sorry if this is weird but I saw you surfing earlier—can I buy you a drink?’ She might throw me to the sharks.”

Natasha shook her head, “men.” A moment later Penny arrived with a tray of beers, placing them down on the seat beside Bob where the guys were shooting pool, “delivery for my favorite dagger squad.”

Thanks were sent her way followed by Jake asking, “Say Pen, you know those guys?” The bartender glanced over her shoulder to see who he was referring to, nodding with a smile.

“Oh that’s some members of the Pacific Beach Surf Club. They were cleaning up the beach earlier for tomorrow's charity competition. Expect the place to be packed if you drop by, it’s always a madhouse. This year they’ve got some of the best surfers participating.”

“Do you know if she’s one of them,” Javy tried to act cool when pointing out the woman.

Upon Penny’s smirk, the answer was clear, “Unless my eyes are deceiving me, I believe that’s ten-time world surfing champion Y/n L/n.”

“Ten?!” Mickey repeated, “Holy shit.” Around him the others were matching his expression. Javy immediately grabbed his phone to type in the name. Sure enough the image of the woman seated at the table appeared on his screen. Clicking on the Wikipedia page he started to read aloud for the group the opening paragraph.

“Y/n M/n L/n, born y/b/m yb/d, 1990 is an American professional surfer from Kapolei, O’ahu, Hawaii and a ten-time World Surf League Women’s World champion, the most titles won by any female surfer to date. L/n made her debut at the World Surf League Junior Championships at age 14 in 2004 in her native O’ahu, winning three consecutive times before turning to senior international competition where she’s won a total of forty world titles—including becoming a five-time triple crown winner. As of 2016, L/n is the defending champion and first women to win the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. She is set to compete at the first ever U.S Olympic Trials in hopes of making the Tokyo Olympic Team where surfing will make its debut at the Olympics.”

“Well I’ll be damned,” Jake peered over Javy’s shoulder, watching him scroll down to view Y/n’s career statistics. Mickey appeared on the opposite side, whistling under his breath. Natasha took out her own phone to search herself, Bradley, Bob, and Payback all glancing over to see.

“She’s literally called the greatest surfer of this generation,” Bradley pointed out. “Talk about intimidating.”

“Now you gotta buy her a drink, Machado,” Payback concluded, igniting another glare from his friend. “Say you pulled an Olympian.”

“I’ll take it to her,” Penny offered, and before Javy could stop her the woman was back behind the bar. They watched her take a Corona from the cooler, add a lime and proceed to the table the athlete was at. “From the gentlemen by the pool tables,” Penny smiled at Y/n, nodding to the group, “the one the blonde is pointing at.” Turning her head, Y/n saw the guy in question pushing his friend’s hand down, a reddish hue on his cheeks when they made eye contact followed by a wave.

‘Well hello there,’ she thought, smiling at the handsome man. He was in a pair of basketball shorts and t-shirt reading NAVY in bold letters. The group he was with all scattered to make it look like they weren’t eavesdropping when Y/n approached, Corona in hand, “Hi.”

“Hello,” even his voice was attractive. Everything about him was. From his clear smooth skin to his dazzling smile. Toned arms and legs.

“Thanks for the beer.”

“Anytime,” he tipped the one in his hand, Y/n clicking hers against it. “Sorry if this is weird at all. I saw you surfing earlier and was trying to muster up the courage to come talk to you….but couldn’t find the words to say.”

Y/n smirked, gesturing to an empty pool table, “how about a game? Maybe it’ll help loosen your nerves.” Moving to a cue Y/n sees his grin widen, “I’m Y/n by the way.”

“I’m Javy, but you can call me Coyote.”

“Coyote?” She repeats with a chuckle, “That’s an interesting nickname.”

“Callsign actually,” he politely corrects before explaining he was a naval aviator. Grabbing his own cue while she sets up the rack, he added, “Wasn’t my doing.”

“Then how’d you get it?”

“Um…” he made a face, as though he was embarrassed to say. “I’ll tell you if you win this match.” A sound between a scoff and a laugh escaped her.

“So that’s how it’s gonna be.” Javy raises his hands in defense, laughing with her. “And if you win?”

His own smirk appears, “You give me your phone number…maybe even let me take you out.” Biting back a grin and fighting the warm feeling in her chest, Y/n removes the rack leaving the pool balls neatly centered.

“Challenge accepted, Coyote.”

It was safe to say both came out as winners that night. Though Y/n won the game and got the scoop on Javy’s callsign origin, he walked away with her number and plans to have dinner the following night after her charity event. Javy made the promise to come out and watch her surf, excited to see her in action. Hearing Y/n talk about the sport and her accomplishments was even cooler in person than reading it off the internet. From her amateur days to becoming a full blown professional. Winning countless championship titles, being the first woman to win The Eddie and her dream to win gold at the Olympics.

Javy was smitten.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then?” She smiled when they reached her van at the end of the night. They talked for hours to the point they lost track of time. It was 11 o’clock and she had to be up at five.

“You said it starts at noon?” At her nod Javy continued, “I’ll be there. And I look forward to our dinner plans after.” Y/n felt the heat rise, hoping it wasn’t displaying on her face.

“Me too. Thank you for a fun night, Javy,” feeling bold, Y/n leans to place a kiss on his cheek. The action leaves him stunned, smile growing bigger as she pulls away. “See you on the beach.”

Now Javy had loved the beach before meeting Y/n. But his love for it and the ocean only grew the moment he watched her ride the waves. Cheering from the sand as she dropped down and glided the tide with ease. It made him want to stay there forever.

He understood quickly why she was regarded as the greatest female surfer of all time. Yeah it was a charity competition and not a world championship, but Y/n treated the waves no differently. She was a beast. Total control of her board, little to no mistakes.

Their dinner date was filled with laughter, flirty sarcasm, stories so outrageous one would think they were bluffing. Javy spoke of his time at Top Gun and his friendship with Jake. Y/n told him about her college days. Both engaged in conversations about dreams and aspirations. Yeah they had their dream careers, but one can always dream bigger. Dream about friendship, dream about love.

Dream about the future.

When the night came to an end, Y/n laid her head on the pillow with a smile on her face, “I think this might be paradise.”

23 July 2021–The Hard Deck, San Diego California.

“It’s almost time for USA!” Javy hushes everyone, grabbing the remote to increase the volume. The place was packed mostly with the squad's friends, colleagues, the Pacific Beach Surf Club, and college students from UC San Diego. Togethery they were gathered to watch the opening ceremonies of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Tokyo Olympics.

Finally after a whole year of waiting the Games were finally being held. A global pandemic sure would be the only thing to stop the most iconic two-week sporting event in the world.

And Javy’s girlfriend, 12x World champion Y/n L/n, was there to be part of surfing's Olympic debut. Gold on her mind.

The two had been long distance the majority of their relationship, but FaceTimed nearly every day with promises to visit as soon as restrictions were lifted. Y/n traveled to San Diego in the winter of 2020 to mark the couple’s one year anniversary. Then Javy flew to Hawaii in the spring, spending two weeks in Kapolei where most time was spent surfing and late night drive on the beach.

“There’s no place I’d rather be,” he sang at the top of his lungs, windows rolled down .

“Than on my surfboard out at sea,” Y/n followed, smile wide on her face with her hair blowing in the wind.

“Lingering in the ocean blue.”

“And if I had one wish come true.”

Together they sang, “I’d surf ‘til the sun sets beyond the horizon!”

Y/n tilted her head back, “‘Āwikiwiki, mai lohilohi. Lawe mai i ko papa he’e nalu.”

Belting out together once again, their voices echoed in the night, “Flying by on the Hawaiian roller coaster ride!!”

“‘Āwikiwiki, mai lohilohi. Lawe mai i ko papa he’e nalu.”

“Pi’i nā nalu lā lahalaha. ‘O ka Moana hānupanupa.”

“Lalala i ka lā hanahana. Me ke kai hoene i ka pu’e one.”

“Heel, hele mai kākou ē.”

“Hawaiian roller coaster ride!”

During the Olympic surf qualifying event in Huntington Beach the whole squad was in attendance to cheer Y/n on. Javy embraced her in tears, lifting her onto his shoulders to the hollars and whistles of their friends and family.

Y/n was officially an Olympian.

Now usually during the parade of nations of the opening ceremonies Greece is the first to enter the arena followed by the countries in alphabetical order with the hosting nation entering last. Having waited a whole year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the world was excited to get the Games started. But to everyone’s surprise the order of the parade of nations would proceed differently than prior Olympics.

Greece still entered first, followed by the Refugee Olympic Team and then the nations paraded in based on where they fell on the Gojūon system. Japan would be the last country to march in, but for the first time ever the hosting countries of the next two Olympics entered before the hosting country. And what were those two countries?

France and The United States of America.

Paris was set to host the upcoming 2024 Games just three years away, and then in 2028 Los Angeles gets the honor once again of bringing the world together. The last time LA hosted was in 1984, and the last time America itself hosted the Summer Games was Atlanta 1996.

“Okay everyone shut up!!” The tv was turned to the loudest volume possible, all in attendance falling to hush whispers.

“Everything changes,” Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s voice echoes through the speakers, his silhouette figure walking into an empty arena. “The longest wait of their lives is over.” The beat of the music gets louder, building in pressure. “And the combination of their blood, sweat, and tears,” his face is revealed under the light, “finally arrives.”

The beat drops in time with the image of fireworks rocketing from the Rio arena, an announcer’s voice stating, “this is the moment that you all have been waiting for.”

“It’s not easy to bring the entire whole planet together,” the Rock states, “and it certainly wasn’t tonight. But, here we are.”

“Finally!”

“It’s finally here.”

“The Olympics are finally here,” Gold Medalist Simone Biles grins.

“Yeah, I’m hyped up.”

“Can’t wait to show the world what I got.”

The image shows Dwayne once again, “Tonight we are all so lucky to witness the hardest workers in the room.” Then it changes to athletes training, from gymnast Sam Mikulak to sprinter Noah Lyles. “The athletes who are a brilliant tapestry of talent, commitment, and drive.”

“Drive, drive, drive!”

“Now what was once considered unthinkable just one year ago has become a glorious reality. We come together united to celebrate the Olympians who exemplify the very best in all of us.”

🎼 legs are shaking, hands aching, 🎼

Simone Biles appears, determination in her gaze as she races down the vault runway. “It’s Simone’s party and everyone else is just a guest,” Tim Daggett’s voice cuts in during the clip of Simone at the World Championships, followed by the Rock.

“She is absolutely the greatest gymnast the world has ever seen. But even if there’s nothing left to prove, there’s a chance to launch herself even higher into the rarest air of immortality.”

As Simone lands her vault, it transitions into Katie Ledecky entering the pool. “The most dominant swimmer in the world.” “It’s just ridiculous!”

“She swims like a machine created to wreak havoc and decimate with impunity.”

“Katie Ledecky smashes her own world record!”

“But in reality she’s about the nicest person you’ll ever meet,” the rock’s face returns, bearing his own smile like Katie. “And kindness matters. Always.” Track star Noah Lyles running takes over. “He makes running as fast as you can look the way it’s supposed to look.”

“NOAH LYLES, WORLD CHAMPION!”

Dwayne grins, “Damn fun.” The next athlete featured was the one they were all waiting for.

“On dry land she’s impressive, in the water she’s simply lethal,” the Hard Deck erupted in cheers, Y/n flashing onto the screens showcasing her drop in during the WSL World Tour.

“That’s my baby!!!” Her name appeared in big bold letters like the others, ‘Y/n L/n. Kapolei, O’ahu, HI.’

“Monstruos wave for Y/n L/n, but she handles it like a pro.” The clip shows her pointing to the sky in victory following her win. “She’s here to prove why surfing should’ve been in the Olympics ages ago,” the Rock looks proud, “and look cool as hell while doing so.”

The tone of the video shifts, bringing forth the raw and emotional reality of athletes who’ve given every inch of their soul to be on the world’s greatest sporting stage. “They’re kids from Minneapolis—.”

“Kenny Harrison!” A girl crosses the finish line in joy, soon embraced by her father. “Raleigh.”

Fellow surfer and native Hawaiian Carissa Moore is shown, “And Honolulu.” A baby in a stroller being pushed by her mother. “They’re working moms with unfinished business.” Allison Felix with her daughter.

“This is what makes all the sacrifice worth it.”

Simone Manuel becoming the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games. “The barrier breakers who’ve proven the power of the platform.”

“I can’t begin to tell you what this means for the sport of swimming in the United States.”

“There’s Jordan—!” A montage of Gold medal winning teams flashed. The Fab Five. The women’s soccer and basketball teams. The women’s rowing team. The Fierce and Final Five of U.S Gymnastics. “And the teams that have dominated for generations with no intention of changing the script for this one.”

“Get the gold medals ready. Again!”

“These awe-inspiring multi-talented athletes are taking on the world.”

🎼 ‘You bring me back to life.’ 🎼

Between the music and feel good montage, some of the viewers in the hard deck were having trouble holding back tears. Chills racking up their body. It made them want to get out and start training to be a world class athlete.

“They really are the best of us. They’re bringing us together.”

“That’s a new world record!”

“And they’re about to give you, at long last, the greatest two-week spectacle the world has ever seen.” Close ups of Team USA’s Olympians rolled, Javy wiping his eyes when Y/n appeared. “It is their Games. It is our Games.”

Absolute chills.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am so grateful to have the honor of presenting to you….Team USA.” At the last word the Rock disappears, cutting to Team USA entering the Tokyo dome—the American flag flying high, “USA! USA! USA!” Though they couldn’t hear the cheers from the Hard Deck across the ocean, that didn’t stop the building from erupting in whistles. It was only the opening ceremonies so one could imagine what it would be like come the 26th and 27th.

When Y/n hits the waves for a chance at Olympic gold.

Tsurigasaki Beach, located 40 miles from Tokyo, was the place where it would all happen. The damp sand beneath Y/n’s toes felt comforting. Although the overcast skies made her worried. Tropical Storm Nepartak caused the waves to be more aggressive and unpredictable. It was going to be an interesting day of competition.

After qualifying with a big score in her heat the previous day, Y/n was set to compete in the quarterfinals that morning. From there the semi-final contestants would be decided, going straight into the event before finals that afternoon. Three events in one day if she made it all the way to the end.

“I’m going to be so sore tonight.”

Shortboard in hand, Y/n raced to the water the second the horn sounded. Instant shivers along her arms from the cold feeling. Cloudy skies prevented the sun from heating the water, “goodness gracious.”

Quarterfinals breezed by. Y/n started off strong with a score of 7 for her first wave, going on to claim two more, another 7 and an 8 bringing her total score to a 15. Putting her, American Carissa Moore, South African Bianca Buitendag and Japan’s Amuro Tsuzuki into the semifinals.

“Stellar performance by Y/n L/n of the United States. She had a bit of trouble on her second wave—which we can’t blame her for; many competitors have been having difficulty today due to the impact of tropical storm Nepartak on the tide. L/n’s score of 15 puts her at the top for the quarterfinals, but that can all change when we return for the semifinals in the next hour. It looks like she’ll be up against Japan’s Amuro Tsuzuki for one of two spots in the gold medal match.”

“That’s how you do it,” Javy clapped at the tv, the footage replaying Y/n’s competition highlights. “Semi-finals here we go.”

During the semis the pressure was on. Y/n could feel it all over, anxiety coursing when the horn sounded. Thirty minutes on the clock, ticking down to eliminate either her or Amuro. Usually her luck turns out for the better whenever she gets the first wave, however, Amuro beats her to it. Catching the next one Y/n focuses on pulling speed and managing her flow into the maneuvers, receiving a score of 6.2 on her first wave, 8.3 on her second and 7 on her third. Unfortunately a wipe out early on her fourth and final wave results in a score of 3.

“Is that gonna be enough?” Jake cringes, noticing the look of unease on his friend's visage. Y/n appeared shaken from the wipe out. Very rare has she ever messed up greatly in competition. But there’s always a first for everything.

Javy had a paper in front of him, writing down Y/n’s scores and the ones of her competitors to predict what she needed and if she was qualified to the final round.

“Her six and seven will be dropped, putting her at 11.30,” he taps the pen on the bar surface, “if Amuro doesn’t get another wave in the next,” Javy checks the time, “two minutes then it should put Y/n through to the finals.”

Amuro did in fact catch another wave before the horn sounded, ending their round in the semis, but it wasn’t enough. Her total score accumulated a 7.43, eliminating her from the final competition.

“One more,” her father/coach took a hold of her shoulders. “You’re almost there, Y/n.” Almost to the gold. “Rest up, you got one hour.”

He didn’t have to tell her twice. Picking up a water bottle and plotting on the sand Y/n downed the liquid and munched on an apple. To pass time she scrolled through Tik Tok, sent a selfie to Javy—who sent one of him and the squad back—and called her family in O’ahu to calm her nerves. She had already talked with Javy that morning before quarterfinals, promising to FaceTime him after the finals.

It was nerve racking. Regardless of how the event went, Y/n was guaranteed the silver medal. USA would take home both Gold and Silver in surfing’s debut being fellow American Carissa Moore beat out South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag in their round.

One competition left.

Bidding good luck to Carissa, Y/n took her position and waited for the horn. Thirty minutes on the clock. Thirty minutes to a gold medal.

“Here we go,” Payback announced in time with Y/n paddling out to sea. Javy rubbed his hands together, eyes glued to the screen.

“And the two Americans are off in the first ever gold medal match for surfing. Carissa Moore, the 2019 WSL World Champion, and twelve-time title holder Y/n L/n head-to-head to declare who will become the woman to win surfing’s first gold medal. Both have exemplified great performances today—it’s not easy doing a quarterfinals, semi-finals, and finals all in one day, but these pros make it look easy.”

“There she goes!” Nat shouted, earning cheers at the bar when Y/n caught the first wave of the competition.

“Kicking off with the first wave, in just two minutes of the clock starting is Y/n L/n. Dropping in beautifully, easing into the wave…..Straight into an roundhouse cutback, which she does flawlessly. Bottom turn, I think she’s gonna try and do a off-the-lip right here….and she nails it! I think she’s hoping to elongate this wave as far out as she can. Carving now and finishing with a 360 into an Ariel. Wow! That was a great start by Y/n.”

“Yeah that’s what I’m talking about!” Javy shouted over the cheers, grin plastered wide only to brighten more when the score came back a 8.7. “HELL YEAH! LETS GO!”

Carissa’s wave was impressive. She managed to hold it down with complicated moves to earn a 8.5. Both women scored huge on the first waves followed by 7s across the board. Nearing the final five minutes Carissa managed to get a 6.43.

“She can’t get anything lower than a 6.23,” Javy felt sweat pool on his forehead, suddenly feeling hot in the bar despite it being the ass crack of dawn.

“She’s got this,” Nat patted his back.

The clock was ticking down. Two minutes to go and Y/n had yet to find a wave. Placing her palm onto the surface, she took a deep breath, “please, give me a sign.” Not a moment later she felt something in her say to look right.

There, brimming about fifteen feet away, was the perfect wave.

Wasting no time Y/n’s chest planted to her board, paddling as fast as possible. Her heart was pounding, salt water splashing. Positioning herself in front of the forming body, Y/n silently called out to whoever was listening for strength.

“Wow she’s going for that huge current out on the west side. Moore is too far back—it’s gonna be L/n on the final wave of the women’s competition. With one minute to go she’s dropping in—.”

Y/n allowed the adrenaline to consume her, giving it total control as she dropped in. The highest wave of the competition yet, Y/n knew she’d be having a tube ride with how it formed. Picking up speed, she knelt slightly, paralleling her chest with the wall of the wave, the water curving around her. Blocking the world from her view.

It was just her and the sea. No one else.

Closing her eyes briefly, she pictured she was back on O’ahu in the water she grew up in. Sun beating down and gentle hum of seagulls.

Like she was in paradise.

The image left as quick as it came. Y/n snapping out of her daydream to exit the tube ride to the cheers of her father on the beach, curing back into the wave to finish on a high note by performing her signature Ariel. Smiling the whole way down just as the horn signified the end of the competition.

“And there you have it folks. The women’s surfing finals has officially come to a close—Y/n L/n ending her Olympic Games with a remarkable last wave. Absolute perfection with speed, precision, and control. That’s gonna be the highest score for her I feel.”

“C’mon, c’mon,” Javy bit his nail, knee bouncing from the anxiety of not knowing. Carissa’s total score was displayed first, 14.93. Y/n’s lowest was a seven, highest 8.7. Her final wave was amazing, but judging was unpredictable. Anything could happen.

Then in the blink of an eye the hard deck exploded.

“I don’t believe it! Tens across the board for Y/n L/n bringing her total to 17.00!! Y/n L/n has won the gold for the United States—Carissa Moore with the silver. USA goes one and two in women’s surfing at its Olympic debut!!! Take it all in, we are witnessing history,” the screen shows Y/n and Carissa embracing, leaning over their boards to congratulate the other, “Team USA has much to celebrate, the world of surfing has their champion. Y/n L/n adds gold to her name—surfing’s first Olympic Champion here in Tokyo!!”

Y/n laughed the entire time she paddled to shore, raising to her feet to race towards her father. She was soaking wet but he didn’t care. “You did it!” He yelled, kissing her head with tears in his eyes. “You’re an Olympic champion! I’m so so proud of you!” Soon they were greeted by Carissa and the rest of Team USA’s surfing members. The two women were lifted onto shoulders, American flags draped over their backs with photographers surrounding them.

It was a moving image. Two women from Honolulu and Kapolei, Hawaii won surfing’s first Olympic silver and gold medal. If only Duke Kahanamoku could be there to witness.

Back at the hard deck celebratory drinks were served and toasts raised to Y/n. Javy barely contained his emotion, eyes watering the moment her name came back the winner. Natasha and Jake embraced him in a hug, the guys whistling and hollering. Penny rang the bell.

“She won! Oh my God my baby is a gold medalist!! This is the best day ever!!”

The entire podium ceremony Y/n was on cloud nine. Placing the gold medal around her neck, she took a moment to stare at it. Disbelief and awe in her eyes. ‘Wow, I actually did it.’

When the national anthem came to an end Y/n did the traditional bite of the medal for the cameras. Posing with Carissa and Bianca afterwards, Y/n was ushered to interviews.

“Hello, Y/n,” the reporter beamed, “congratulations are in store—what an amazing moment for you. You’re the first gold medalist in women’s surfing at the Olympics. How does it feel?”

“It’s absolutely a dream come true. For years the surfing community has wished for this—to be in the Olympics and for me to be part of its debut, winning the gold medal…I-I can’t put into words how much this means to me. I’m so grateful and honored.”

“You’ve been around for a while now,” the reporter mentioned, “2004 was the first time we saw you and you’ve gone on to have a stellar surfing career. Winning the WSL World Surfing Games twelve times now—competing when it was still called the WSL World Championships and became the first woman to win The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational in 2016. This is your first Olympic Games, surfing will be at the Paris Games in three years. Can we expect to hopefully see you there?”

“I wouldn't rule it out,” Y/n winked with a giggle. “Paris is in three years and I would love to return to the Olympics again. After dreaming for so long I don’t want to let it go so easily. Of course anything can happen between now and 2024 but with my family, friends, and boyfriend cheering me on with their endless support…” she gave a cheeky shrug, “I’m gonna work hard and get back in the water once I’m home.”

“We’ll be rooting for you, Y/n. I don’t think the surfing world is ready to say goodbye to you. Anything else you’d like to say before you have to go. Anyone you’d like to say thanks to?”

Instantly the Olympian brightened, eyes locking on the camera. “I wanna give a shoutout to my hometown of Kapolei on O’ahu—the place where this journey started on the beautiful beaches and waters of my home. To my family and friends, thank you for your love, support, guidance and always cheering me on even when the going gets tough. My dad, who’s been my coach since I was seven is with me here to share this win, I couldn’t have done this without him. To my San Diego family watching, you better save me a beer at the Hard Deck when I come visit next week,” she winks, knowing the squad would get a kick out of it. Then Y/n softens, “and finally to my boyfriend, Javy, who’s with our friends in Fightertown. I love you so much, thank you for being my rock during quarantine and pushing me to do my best. I can’t wait to see you and this is for you.” Holding up the medal, Y/n blows a kiss to the screen before saying goodbye to the reporter.

Upon landing in San Diego two nights later, Y/n was greeted by a celebration from her friends. Members of the Pacific Beach Surf Club were there, as were the dagger squad. Javy met her in the middle the second she exited the terminal, lifting her in his arms. “Finally your back!! I’m so fucking proud of you!” Setting her down, he kept his arms around her and the two jumped up and down like school children in a heap of laughter.

Finally they calmed, sharing a sweet kiss. “How was your flight,” he walked when they pulled away, moving to grab her carryon back.

“Long,” she moaned, leaning into his side. “But worth it.” Soon she was surrounded by their friends. Congratulations all around, Mickey asking to see the medal, Jake saying all her drinks are on him, Nat telling her how much she missed having another girl around. “I missed you guys,” Y/n pouted, “man I wish you all could’ve been there.”

“Don’t worry, Y/n/n,” Bradley patted her shoulder, “We’ll be there in Paris.”

“That’s quite a bit away, Roo.”

“Yeah,” he shrugged, “but there’s no harm in planning now.”

“Let’s let the woman rest before kicking her training mode into gear,” Javy teased, earning a playful nudge from his girlfriend. Together they got her bags and headed straight for The Hard Deck. They drinked, they danced. Javy and Y/n had a rematch of their pool game.

“This feels a bit like deja vu,” she smirked, chalking up her cue. Javy winked, puckering his lips in an air kiss causing her to laugh.

For a week Y/n stayed in San Diego before flying home to Hawaii with Javy. Again she was greeted at the airport by her family and friends she’d grown up with. The local news station was present, students from schools wanting to join in on the celebration. It felt amazing to be home after two weeks away.

They settled in at her Honolulu home, finding the perfect place to display her medal and ordered take out since neither was in the mood to cook after a 6 ½ hour flight. Once finished with dinner Y/n gave her boyfriend a knowing look, “Wanna watch the sunset?”

She didn’t mean sitting on her porch or even the sand. No, she meant taking the boards and laying out on the sea as the calm surface of the water kept them afloat.

Javy agreed, rushing to get his swim trunks on while she put on a swimsuit. Grabbing their boards they locked up the house and jogged the quarter of a mile to the beach, paddling out to get a front row seat of the descending sun. Colors of bright orange and pink painted the sky. A beautiful contrast to the deep blues of the ocean.

“Is this heaven?” He whispered, finding her eyes staring back at him from where her cheek pressed to the board. All the love conveying in the simple look. And with her gentle words, Javy felt all the worry and unease he ever experienced lift from his soul.

“More like paradise.”

……………….

TGM Tag list: @avaleineandafryingpan , @caitsymichelle13 , @poppyalice2001 , @cutelittlepotatofry , @luckyladycreator2, @americaarse , @elenavampire21 , @back-tooo-black , @wildellaa , @artemissunn , @pinkpantheris

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[thistaleisabloodyone]

RMPG Shirtless Crew

I've got the numbers for - I guess 😂 - the official Rampage Shirtless Crew membership. Yes, this is what I spent my Sunday doing 😂

Of the music videos analyzed, everyone has 33 MV appearances - the vocalists don't appear in Performer's DNA, but the performers don't appear in KIMIOMOU, so it balances out.

I feel like there should be pictures in here, but it's genuinely just solid text, sorry 😅 And I have work tomorrow, so I'm going to bed soon.

Here is the criteria:

Member is visibly shirtless - either with nothing on top or it is obvious that they are not wearing a shirt under a closed jacket or vest (exception: unless everyone is not wearing a shirt under a closed jacket or vest (e.g. Summer Riot). If the standard uniform is sans shirt, only people who deliberately open the vest or jacket are counted, such as Kaisei, Shogo, Zin, etc. in Summer Riot)

Or if member is wearing a shirt, it is open enough to see a significant portion of the chest. I had it at 50% or more of the chest visible as the criteria, so Heatwave counts for both Riku and Itsuki

Or member specifically lifts their shirt to reveal their chest, such as Riku in Fandango or Itsuki in 100degrees

Only MVs that have been released with physical albums or singles were counted, which means MVs that are, as far as I can tell, only available online were not counted. (so ハジマリノウタ was not counted, as it's only available as a documentary video online, for example) (However, that is still a good watch of a MV because it shows them being adorable and tiny)

Here is the spreadsheet if you would like to see it. You can also see which 33 MVs were analyzed.

First things first, shout out to the Never Shirtless Crew: Kenta, YamaSho, Ryu and Takahide. They have met the criteria for shirtlessness in 0 MVs. Takahide's so determined to keep his shirt on, he jumped into the pool fully fucking clothed in Welcome 2 Paradise.

Hokuto and Rui both almost made the Never Shirtless Crew - Hokuto's streak was broken by Living in the Dream and Rui's streak was broken by Silver Rain. They have both been shirtless once in the 33 MVs analyzed.

Shogo, Shohei and Makoto each had 2. Shogo's shirtless showings were the two most recent MVs, Summer Riot and Everest. Shohei was shirtless in Summer Riot and he also removed his shirt to go in the pool in Welcome 2 Paradise. Makoto was shirtless for .002 seconds in Mix It Up and he was also shirtless in Fears for the shots with the wing body paint.

Takuma and Kazuma are both at 3. Takuma's shirtless showings are Summer Riot, Silver Rain and Hard Hit, while Kazuma's shirtless showings are Round Up, Living in the Dream and La Fiesta.

And then we get to the Shirtless Crew 😂 I am counting the Shirtless Crew as members who met the criteria 20% or more of the time.

Tied for fourth place in the Shirtless Olympics, we have Riku and Itsuki, each with 8 MVs meeting the criteria, giving them both a solid 24% shirtlessness.

In third place, we have Zin! He was tied with Riku until I started going through the Battle of Tokyo MVs, where Zin is shirtless in 5 out of 5 MVs. 😂 Well done, buddy. Zin has 12 MVs meeting the criteria, for being shirtless 36% of the time (unless it's Battle of Tokyo and then it's 100% of the time 😂)

In second place, we have Likiya! 13 MVs met the criteria for him and he was shirtless 39% of the time.

And in first place, we have the member who has actually, literally won a "beauty and body" contest to find the best looking man in Japan for summer - Kaisei! 14 MVs met the criteria for him, having him be shirtless 42% of the time.

So, the "official"(?) members of the Shirtless Crew are Kaisei, Likiya, Zin, Riku and Itsuki. (So the oldest three, the last 97 and the first 98 😂 Apparently it's an age cluster thing)

@elenilote Your predictions were correct! It's just Kaisei's shirtlessness was more predominant earlier in their career and Riku's shirtlessness is more predominant recently, so I found Riku's shirtlessness moments earlier

#the rampage from exile tribe #the rampage #and now i am going to bed

[happypuppypuppy]

🇺🇸 Kyle Snider undressing 🇷🇺 Abdulrashid Sadulaev during the Summer Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (credits to best.wrest)

#wrestling #muscle men #guys in lycra #men in lycra #singlet #slavic #lycra bulge #russia #usa

[droshawoluv]

Moments I love from Digimon Adventure (1999) - [5/?]

🌆 R e s o l v e 🌆

Hello, this is my favorite chapter ever. So the whole ep. is the moment I love.

Is it the aesthetic given by a different iconic Director?

the ambient sounds where you can hear your Summer crickets?

the nostalgic and melancholic feeling that this gives you without even knowing why?

the feeling that something is not really ok?

the back and forth of Taichi trying also to figure out what is real and what is going on?

the revelation that is still the same day?

Hikari, my 2nd favorite character being here and kinda creepy with her knowledge?

the protagonist I love showing he's a great brother who loves his sister (a personal biase there as fraternal love is something I got emotional about) ?

the way that all around Taichi feels more mature in this episode being at home and caring about his sister and Digimon partner?

the music that always put you in the mood even if there's a big dinosaur attacking your city (which granted, it's such an amazing piece of music that even featured in the freakin entrance of the OLYMPIC TORCH AT TOKYO 2020 OPENING CEREMONY WHAT)?

the ending part where you can see the tension of the siblings watching Digimons no one can, and an Agumon that shows that rookies can be snappy and good in hands of a nice episode Director?

the whole ending with first Agumon saying goodbye, and Hikari trying to stop Taichi in a heartbreaking moment that probably made me cry %90 of the times with that music?

The understanding that this is the first time in the show that one of the destined children decided by himself to be in the Digital World, instead of being forced to be there?

the resolution that it implies a turning point to Taichi, to be back to do what he must do?

Maybe a little bit of everything.

Previous posts: [1] [2] [3] [4]

#taichi yagami #Digimon #Digital monsters #Tai Kamiya #Tai digimon #Kari digimon #Kari Kamiya #Hikari Yagami #yagami siblings #taichi yagami gifs #Koromon #Agumon #Bolero #DIgimon OST #Digimon Adventure #Digimon Adventure 1999 #Shouri #Taichi Hikari #Taikari

[futbolfanficpunk]

Pedri gets a friend

Players: Pedri and Gavi Words: 700+ Main theme: Bromance It was winter in Barcelona, Pedri was finally getting better from his long injury after the Olympics. Xavi was now the coach, the team was slowly working on getting back to Tiki-Taka style of play for Barça and Pedri was running at la Ciutat Esportiva with his two physios, almost ready to get back to the group. He looked around, and felt kind of lonely being apart from everyone.

Since the summer Pedri had gotten closer to Eric, spending time during the Euros, in the club, Tokyo Olympics, and sometimes giving Pedri a ride home back when he didn’t have his license. They talked quite a lot during trainings and hung out after training at least once a week but even though they were close, out of everyone in the group, Pedri wasn’t his best friend. Pedri was close to Trincão during his first year, but not outside the club hours though. if anyone was his closest friend during his time in Barcelona, it was his brother, Fernando. Not anyone at the club. There were people in the team who seemed to be closer than most, like Ansu and Eric, Frenkie and Memphis, Nico and Gavi, but Pedri did not have a teammate that he felt a strong connection to, even though Eric had become a good friend. Just after the Christmas break, while in the dressing room, Pedri overheard Nico complain that he had to drop off Gavi at La Masia, yet again. Nico was going out on a date and Gavi was making him late. “Hey, Gavi! I can drop you off, if you want” Pedri said without thinking about it much. “Vale, sí, I don’t want to hear this gilipollas complain anymore” responded Gavi, making Pedri chuckle. Nico said “Gracias, Pedri, I’m glad you can be the babysitter tonight”.  Gavi punched Nico’s left arm. 

The tiktokers and fans were waiting outside and they pulled out of Ciutat Esportiva. Pedri stopped to sign some autographs and take pictures. Gavi didn’t particularly like it, all those strangers in his face, but the memory of being a fan was fresh in his mind, so he took the time to lower his window as well and do the same. After a minute they were out of there.

 “Joder, I’m still not too used to that” said Gavi, taking his hand to the back of his neck with an awkward smile. “Yes, it took me a while, because it’s not like it was in Las Palmas. It’s intense here” said Pedri. “Yea, Barca B shit is nowhere near that” Gavi replied. And they spent the 15 minutes from Ciutat Esportiva to La Masia talking about their experiences of going from being virtually unknown to a not having a lot of privacy as a Barca player, they surprised each other on how  similarly they both viewed the whole thing, the awkwardness they felt but also how they both did not care about the fame game at all. Pedri felt like maybe, he hadn’t thought of Gavi as a potencial mate or friend because of how young he was and how intense he was a training but maybe Gavi could be cool to get to know, he thought as he dropped him off and waved good night.

When Pedri got home to Fernando, he asked Pedri how his day at training went. He explained that he was about to join the group trainings, injury was 99% done with, but he was the most excited to tell him that he spent some time with Gavi today. “Gavi, the 17 year old with the undone shoelaces? You think he’s cool?” Fernando said with an incredulous face. “Yea, he seems very down to earth, and kinda mature for his age….I think” Pedri said while raising his shoulders. “Well, que guay, maybe you won’t be Eric’s bitch anymore” said Fernando as he laughed “Oh, shut up!” screamed Pedri.

Just then his phone lite up and made a noise “@pablogavi sent you a message”, Pedri opened his instagram’s DM. “Hey Pedri, Thanks for the ride, bro. Here’s my number, I don’t think you have it, +34***********”Maybe another Nico-substitution is not out of the question for another day, por fa?”

“I think I made a new friend” Pedri said to himself with a grin on his face.

#pedri #pedri gonzalez #gavi #pablo gavi #football imagine #football fanfic #football fandom #futbol fan fiction #futbol imagine #futbol fan fic #football fantasy #futbol fantasy #pedri x gavi #bromance #fanfic #pedri imagine #gavi imagine

[for-yoongi0309]

EVENTS (2015-2016)

2015

HYYH Epilogue Tour

Highlight mini US Tour

WAKE UP IN JAPAN Tour

150101 Countdown in Seoul

150124 Live Expo Tokyo

150128 4th Gaon Charts Awards

150212 Hi-touch in Tokyo

150224  Sungshin Women's College's entrance ceremony

150505 KBS Cool FM Super Juniors Kiss The Radio

150508 music bank

150515 SInchon Fansign

150517 Cheongnyangi fansign

150523 Dream Concert

150524 Myeongdong fansign

150525 Daegu fansign

150529 KBS1 concert at Gyeongbokgung Palace

150603 MWAVE Meet & Greet

150612 Star interview in Shanghai

150620 FOR YOU release event in Tokyo

150627 fanmeeting in Busan

150702 KBS Gwangju Summer Universiade

150703 KBS 'I Am Korea'

150704 Yeouido fansign

150807 Press Con in Thailand

150815 Summer Sonic in Osaka

150810 MBC ISAC

150818 Fanmeeting in Osaka

150905 iFun Music concert in Shanghai

150911 SH power house music festival in Jakarta

150913 Show Champion in Yokohama

150920 ALL FORCE ONE

151003 Gangwon Kpop festival

151009 ONE K concert

151011 Asia Song Festivial

151016 World Changing Quiz show

151023 Republic Of Korea share concert

151028 Seoul Brand launching event

151029 VLive Halloween party

151030 Kpop World Festival

151031 Asia Dream Concert

151104 Korea-China Song Festival

151107 MMA in Seoul

151202 MAMA in Hong Kong

151210 Gangnam fansign

151211 Sinchon fansign

151212 Super Seoul concert

151213 Gwanghwamun fansign

151216 ilsan fansign

151217 Gangnam Fansign

151218 music bank/Yeouido fansign

151219 Infinity Challenge Expo

151220 Incheon fansign

151221 Jongro fansign/Hallyu K-Road

151222 Gimpo Fansign

151229 SBS Awards Festival

151230 MBC Gayp Daejejeon

151231 MBC Gayo Daejejeon (D2)

2016

160109 TTV Red & White Festival in Taipei

160102 Myeongdong fansign

160114 Seoul Music Awards

160115 MBC Infinity Challenge Expo

160118  Idol Star Athletics Championships

160119 Gala Vietnam Top Hits

160121 Golden Disk Awards

160122 fanmeeting in Guangzhou

160217 Gaon Kpop awards

160307 WKBL Award Ceremony

160402 PUMA fansign

160424 Power Of K in japan

160512 Cultwo Radio show + Mokdong Fansgin

160625 KCON in NY

160721 BBQ 풀파티

160725 Ilsan summer festival

160731 KCON in LA

160810 Korea-China Martial Art Culture Exchange Festival

160903 Show Champion in Manila

160907 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Concert

160930 Kpop World Festival in Changwon

161008 DMC Korean Music Wave Festival

161013 Cultwo Radio show

161016 Mokdong fansign

161015 Bundang fansign

161017 Sinchon fansign

161018 KBS 1 Open concert

161020 Myeongdong fansign

161021 Hongdae fansign

161022 Myungdong fansign

161023 Busan fansign + Busan Asia One Festival

161027 m!countdown in Jeju

161028 Yeouido fansign

161029 Jongno fansign

161106 Gimpo fansign

161031 Omokgyo fansign

161116 Asia Artists Awards

161118 KBS Music Bank special 🔥!

161119 MMA in Seoul

161128 fanmeeting in Japan vol.3

161201 MAMA in Hong Kong

161202 MAMA (D2)

2016 not done

#For-yoongi0309's masterlist #fy0309.events #events.2015-16

[barbielore]

I was always loosely under the impression that the first Olympic tie-in doll in the Barbie range was Olympic Gymnast Barbie for the 1996 Atlanta games, but as it turns out this is not the case.

The 1970s brought us "Gold Medal Barbie", including a range of different Olympic-themed outfits. To break down further, there were also a range of Barbies showing her and her friends competing in different events.

I believe, however, that Olympic Gymnast Barbie in 1996 was the first to be tied in to a specific Games, as well as the start of the trend of having Barbies representing the US in consecutive games going forward with specific tie-ins.

I have talked about Olympic Gymnast Barbie in many other posts before, because this is specifically a doll I remembered growing up with so she is always fresh in my mind.

If I talked about all the Summer and Winter Games tie-ins this would be such a long post that it would probably make people block on sight, so I'll save the Winter Games for a follow-up post.

Sydney 2000 had a wide range of dolls as tie-ins, including Swimming Champion Barbie, Paralympic Champion Becky, Olympic Fan Barbie and Olympic Pin Collector Barbie. There are probably several others as well that I have overlooked.

Barbie took a break again from the Games through 2004, 2008 and 2012 (though there are some non-Barbie fashion dolls produced by companies other than Mattel who are identified on reseller sites as a Barbie), making a kind of return in 2016 in a different way. Although there were no dolls that specifically tied into Barbie as a competitor, the 2016 Games inspired a few tie-in collectors Barbies in the likeness of specific Olympians.

Laurie Hernandez, a solo silver medalist and a team gold medalist gymnast at the Rio Games, and Ibtihaj Muhammad, bronze medalist fencer, were among the "Sheroes" honoured this way.

The 2020 (technically 2021) Games in Tokyo brought a new wave of Barbie competing as an athlete, in a variety of sports.

Most of her outfits heavily featured Barbie pink, alongside a Tokyo 2020 jersey.

No Barbies yet have dropped for Paris 2024, but I have to assume it is only a matter of time, as a range of athlete Barbies really fits with Mattel's branding of the doll right now.

#barbie #barbie history #vintage barbie #olympic barbies

[magdasabs]

Nathalie Björn about the football World Cup, the girlfriend and the dream of becoming a pathologist

As a warm-up for the soccer World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, we meet national team star Nathalie Björn, who talks about the blue-yellow golden chances, everyday life in Liverpool with teammate and life partner Aurora Galli - as well as the secret dream of becoming obducent.

It's a homecoming hero settling down with a cappuccino in the flourishing Josef Frank armchair. We'll meet at Soho House in Stockholm, the international members' club housed in a top-renovated old Methodist church on a discreet back street in Östermalm. Nathalie Björn is on a temporary visit to Sweden to forge golden plans with the rest of the Swedish national team squad.

- I want a gold medal. That's just the way it is, says the 26-year-old defender with a smile.

Nathalie Björn in a jacket from Tiger of Sweden. Necklace, Enamel Copenhagen

Nathalie has just been named Player of the Year after her second season at Everton, an award that feels extra honorable as it is her teammates who have voted for her. The big club finished in sixth place in the English Women's Super League, but instead of a long well-deserved holiday, it was just a matter of changing the Everton jersey for the blue-yellow national team uniform and heading home to Sweden for the preparations for the World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

- It still feels good to get a short breather at home before we go on to the WC. I have a few days now where I can disconnect from football and feel normal before I recharge mentally for New Zealand and Australia.

Easy to forget that I'm actually living the dream

The Swedish national team has been among the top in the world since the end of the 90s and continues to be at the forefront even when the general development in women's football has caught up and more national teams have become increasingly better. In last year's European Championships, Nathalie and the rest of Blågult made it to the semi-finals where they went out against the host nation England. In this summer's world championships, they are hungry for revenge and have great chances for a medal.

- You are so strict with yourself and just want to move on all the time. It's easy to forget that I'm actually living the dream. I represent Sweden in front of packed stadiums, which I dreamed of when I was little. Stepping out of the players' tunnel in front of all the blue and yellow supporters and singing the national anthem together with the best players in Sweden is the best feeling in the world. Nothing beats the pride you feel then.

Playing against the roommate in the football World Cup

The fact that the football World Cup is played down under means that we in Sweden get to follow many of the matches for breakfast, sometimes with kick-off as early as seven o'clock Swedish time. The fact that Sweden ended up in the same group as Italy also means that Nathalie is face to face with her partner Aurora Galli , the Italian midfielder with whom she plays everyday at Everton.

Nathalie Björn and partner Aurora Galli. "It was love at first sight."

Photo: Nathalie Björn/Private

- She signed for Everton at the same time as me, but came to the club earlier because I played in the Olympics in Tokyo. It sounds so corny, but it was love at first sight. I had never had a girlfriend before. I knew I was drawn to personalities whether they were boys or girls, but I had only had boyfriends before. When I came to England I had just broken up with a guy and suddenly I met Aurora and felt it was more than just friendship. It was just such a strong feeling and so it became us. Now we have been together for a year and a half.

Everton FC is based in Liverpool, the classic working-class city in the north of England that gave us both The Beatles and the latest Eurovision Song Contest with Loreen as the winner.

- I like Liverpool. It is an old harbor town, so it is always close to the water, which creates a nice atmosphere. It is a nice town with many good restaurants and shops.

Nathalie and Aurora live in the Liverpool suburb of Huyton in a typical British two-storey red brick house.

- It looks exactly as you imagine. A British terraced house with carpet everywhere except in the bathroom, and a small scrub under the stairs like in Harry Potter where we threw in shoes and bags and all sorts of crap. Outside there is a small garden with artificial grass and a fence.

Nathalie Björn in a dress from Dagmar. Earrings, Pilgrim. Photo: Sanna Dahlén

British suburban life is set in stone, not least for an elite level footballer.

- I won't say it's boring, but it's the same thing all the time. The alarm clock rings just after eight, then we register the day's form via an app on the phones. There you enter how much you have slept or if you have calf pain. When it's finished and sent to the club, we fall asleep again and sleep for another hour or so. At ten o'clock there is breakfast at the training facility, which is ten minutes from home. Classic English breakfast with white beans in tomato sauce, toast, eggs, fried tomato and mushrooms. Afterwards, we warm up with various exercises before going out and practicing football for an hour and a half. Then we shower, eat lunch, work out in the gym, shower again and go home at two. We have a match on Sundays, then it could be the bus down to London and stay there one night in a hotel. We are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. That's what life looks like.

Dreaming of a big house in Sweden

Nathalie and Aurora are, to say the least, a high-achieving couple who represent their respective home countries in football when they are not playing side by side in one of England's most storied clubs. Despite that, or maybe because of that, they talk about everything but football when they get home.

- It happens that we discuss football in the car on the way home from training, but when we get home we want to talk about other things. It's really nice.

In addition to the house in Liverpool, which the couple rents from the football club, Nathalie has just bought an apartment in her childhood city of Uppsala.

- I want to have my own home in Sweden. A fixed point. I'm so tired of living in a suitcase or in a guest room with mom or dad, especially when you're used to living on your own.

Nathalie grew up in the district of Årsta in Uppsala. Mother worked in elderly care and father was a plumber. The parents divorced early and Nathalie was an only child for a long time, but today she has younger siblings on both her mother's and father's side. It was her father who got her to start playing football at the age of four.

Nathalie Björn in a sweater from Adnym Atelier. Trousers, Baum und Pferdgarten. Earrings, Pilgrim and Glitter. Loafers, Vagabond. Photo: Sanna Dahlén

- He was an old footballer himself and made me invest in football instead of dancing, even though I still love to dance. Dad often visits England and has been to all the championships, except the Olympics in Tokyo when we played without an audience due to the pandemic. Mother doesn't have time to come as often, but she is there as often as she can. Both mum and dad are very proud of me. I really feel that.

In the future, Nathalie dreams of a big house in Sweden and another one in Italy.

- I'm not so much in favor of burning money on sports cars, but I want to save up and build my own house near my family and friends. The dream is to have a house in Uppsala and a house in Italy. Maybe in Tromello where the girl is from, it's a small village in northern Italy, an hour outside of Milan. The girl says you can't have two houses because it costs too much money, but we'll see.

Any plans for children lie further ahead and are not as straightforward as for the colleagues on the men's side who can let wives, girlfriends and nannies do the grunt work. Nathalie glances at how her older national team mates solve that part.

- Right now I don't want children, but one day. I have no idea how long I will play football. Caroline Seger is 38 and Hedvig Lindahl 40, so there is a lot of time left. It can be difficult to start a family during your career. If you could do like Elin Rubensson and have children and then come back to the national team, it would be awesome. Also, I'm with a girl, which can also prolong the process, so I have no idea. Regardless, it's marriage that counts first and foremost, my girl jokes. She is Italian and traditional. But there is no stress.

Nathalie Björn lives in a terraced house in Liverpool with her girlfriend and teammate Aurora Galli. Photo: Sanna Dahlén / Sanna Dahlén

Expected to have an opinion like a football player

The football world is more politically charged than ever. Last year's controversial men's World Cup in Qatar was more about politics than football and was marred by protests, boycotts and wild debates. When it became clear earlier this year that rainbow colored captain's armbands will also be banned during the women's soccer World Cup this summer, just like for the men in Qatar, the debate flared up again. Although the discussions make sense and it's never wrong to use your platform to highlight important issues, the idea of ​​football as a non-political arena can feel more attractive than ever. As a player, it is not enough to spend all your waking hours pushing your body and psyche to the limit in order to be the best, but you also have to have an opinion about rainbow bandages and the gender pay gap, and be fully educated about how small desert nations stand on human rights.

Nathalie Björn in the national team jersey. Photo: FREDRIK JONASSON / STELLA PICTURES

- You are always expected to have an opinion, especially as a female footballer, but sometimes you don't. Most recently, it was the rainbow ties and the prize money in the World Cup that people were talking about. Often you haven't even reflected on these political things and try to answer as best you can. Then it looks as if you are whining in the media.

Managing the media is difficult. British tabloid press is notorious and Nathalie steeled herself before moving to a country as football-crazy as England, but today she feels that British media are far more stimulating than the Swedish ones.

- You always hear that the British press is so terrible, but I feel that they are much nicer than the Swedish media. Even if we win, there will often be complaints afterwards, critical questions asked and negative views. Perhaps it is typically Swedish. We are celebrated in a completely different way in England.

Nathalie Björn in top from Viktoria Chan. Pants, Teurn Studios. Jewelry, Nootka. Slippers, Birkenstock.

Nathalie Björn in top from Viktoria Chan. Pants, Teurn Studios. Jewelry, Nootka. Slippers, Birkenstock. Photo: Sanna Dahlén

When Nathalie is not playing soccer, she wallows in blood and murder. Crime series such as Criminal minds , True detective and Mindhunter replace each other in front of the TV sofa at home in Liverpool and the interest in murder mysteries does not stop there.

- I studied forensic psychology to learn how the brain of a serial killer works. It was part of the course to attend a trial, so I brought Caroline Seger with me when we both played in Rosengård. It was a drug case where a guy had been smoking weed and we happened to be late. All eyes turned to us as we stepped into the minimal courtroom. The perpetrator and the prosecutors understood nothing: What the hell is the Swedish national team doing here? It was so stiff.

Dreaming of becoming a pathologist

The 26-year-old has a secret plan B for the day it's time to put the football boots on the shelf.

- I have a strange dream and it is to become a pathologist. I want to be able to say: Okay, this is the cause of death. I don't know if I want to be a pathologist, but I definitely could have been a nurse and then an assistant medical examiner. I've looked that up a bit, and it's only a three-year degree.

Nathalie Björn looks out over the grand hall at Soho House, bathed in the kaleidoscopic summer light of the church windows.

- But first I have to win the WC.

The Swedish national soccer team showed its support for Iran's women at an international match against France last fall. Back row from left: Nathalie Björn, Amanda Ilestedt, Zećira Mušović, Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig and Magdalena Eriksson. Front row from left: Filippa Angeldahl, Elin Rubensson, Kosovare Asllani, Olivia Schough and Jonna Andersson. Photo: BJÖRN LARSSON ROSVALL/TT / TT NEWS AGENCY

#nathalie björn

[touchlikethesun]

yknow what it's okay that kags' parents don't go to his games, like you'd think they'd maybe be a bit proud considering he went to his first olympics at age nine-fucking-teen and is on track to attend his third this summer but they don't care, and that's okay because you know who does care? you know who does go to as many games as they can? karasuno. all his teammates from karasuno support him, they hype him up, and they check up on him. suga calls him as much as he can, asahi helped him find a flat when he moved to tokyo, noya helps him with his italian, tsukki and hinata orgnaise vacations with him, hinata hasn't and will never stop pushing him to be the best he can possibly be, tanaka shimizu and yachi are flying to paris to cheer him on in person and you just know tanaka is going to be the loudest cheerleader team japan has ever had. kags' family is karasuno and god do they all love him so gd much

#this is half headcanon half not i'm sorry i got a bit swept up in my emotions i'm not trying to mislead people #who needs supportive parents when you have the loudest most caring ex-teammates in the world????? #found family #i can't today there was too much information thrown at me #kageyama tobio #haikyuu

[fornshinoyaz]

★ — CHAPTERS :

01. 6:30 in tokyo

❝ YOU ARE MY STARLIGHT ! ★ ☆

you knew as soon as iwa texted you that you were in DEEP shit. it wasn’t often he even TEXTED you. you had been keeping the secret from for about a week, which was new since you two usually told each other everything.

iwa, since you met when you were five years old had been at nearly every volleyball game you played at. he was one of your biggest supporters. he always believed you would even end up going to the olympics.

it wasn’t that far fetched when your grandfather and uncle had both played in the olympics.

the gc is always this chaotic. sometimes you guys would have conversations until 4am literally just arguing. however since both nishinoya and oikawa are out of the country, you guys try to respect the time zone difference.

this is the busiest the gc has been in a while. your sleep schedules almost never match up. usually, there’s the three or four texting in the gc, but everyone is active now.

oikawa was originally suppose to go argentina the week you and tobio broke up, but he stayed for an extra three weeks to make sure you were okay. while oikawa is very flirtatious with you, everyone knows you guys have been friends for a long time and don’t take it serious. he’s your star boy after all.

the gc has a couple of duos and people who are often seen together, those include; you & oikawa, you & kenma, kuroo & kenma, iwa & kenma, iwa & oikawa, nishinoya & you, nishinoya & bokuto, bokuto/kuroo/nishinoya.

ok iwa will get angry, but he’ll always tell it to you straight. he’s not your dictator, he just cares a shit load about you. trust and believe, every single breakdown you had (after the breakup) he was there. but sometimes, it’s like he knows you better than yourself.

now you’ve convinced to be the manager for the boys’ club. just great. what could possibly go wrong! (hello kageyama)

>          ♡ ̷  m. list /  next. / previous.

synopsis refresher : he was your sun, the center of your universe. you thought you were the sun of his world too. but tobio kageyama was always too selfish for his own good. with both of you being bitter exes, sparks fly when you become the boys’ manager for your ex’s rival volleyball club. or where bitter exes turn into bitter rivals & kageyama can never seem to stay away from you even if it feels like choking on stardust.

a/n: longer chapter, but i didn’t think it would be wise to split into two bcs of the way it goes down. events are unfolding! thanks for reading 🖤 i’m feeling inspired rn so there may be another update later today. i update whenever i feel like i want to, or whenever i have inspiration. because it is summer, updates will be regular (every week or multiple times a week). i made some notes in between the chats because i felt like it was too much. hopefully it provided some breathing room. thanks again for reading!

#haikyuu smau series #smau #smau series #social media au #haikyuu smau #hq smau #hq #haikyuu #haikyuu kageyama #haikyuu x reader #hq x you #hq x yn #haikyuu tobio #kageyama tob io #tobio kageyama #kageyama x reader #tobio x reader #hq tobio x reader #hq angst #hq crack #hq fluff

[wtfgaylittlezooid]

Just randomly thought "What was the first recorded use of a stick figure?" and accidentally made a vague idea for an AvA oc. The concept is rough because it's either I use like old cave art stickfigures or the first international use of stickfigures which was apparently in 1964 during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. :thumbsup:

The Olympic one sounds awesome!! Though another cave stick would be SICK