Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, along with wrestler Yui Susaki set to represent Japan as the flagbearers at 2020 Tokyo Olympics
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The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are less than 20 days away from commencing. After COVID-19 ruined the plans last summer, the Olympics have been shifted to this summer. Very recently, the 12 teams competing for the medals in the Men’s Basketball were announced. Nine of those were pre-qualified, and the other three fought their way to the Olympics.
The 12 teams are divided into 3 groups of four each. Group A features Iran, France, the USA, and the Czech Republic. In Group B, we have Australia, Germany, Italy, and Nigeria. Group C has Argentina, Spain, Japan, and Slovenia.
Out of these teams, Team USA, Argentina, Australia, Nigeria, and Spain are practicing together in Las Vegas currently.
Rui Hachimura to serve as a flagbearer for Japan
The Japanese Olympic team has over 580 athletes competing in the 2020 Olympics. Out of them, Rui Hachimura and Yui Susaki have been selected as flagbearers for their country.
OFFICIAL: Rui Hachimura has been announced as a flag bearer for Team Japan. 🇯🇵#DCAboveAll | @rui_8mura pic.twitter.com/7Pq9YEjKfA
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 6, 2021
“The Tokyo Olympics is the stage I’ve always dreamed of. I am very honoured to have such a big role.” 💪
Hear from the flagbearers who’ll lead Japan at the #Tokyo2020 Opening Ceremony 🇯🇵#UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogetherhttps://t.co/BmJeyzkv1r
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 5, 2021
This is the first-ever Olympics where all participating countries would have a male and a female flagbearer.
As for Japan and their Basketball schedule, they face a rough group. Their groups consist of the defending champions Spain, Luka Doncic and his Slovenian team, and Argentina. Rui Hachimura and the Japanese team have an uphill task ahead of them if they want to move past the group stages.
The Men’s Basketball group stages commence from the 25th of July and would go on till August 1st.
