Olympic gold medalist trained with Wii

by Justin McElroy { Aug 12th 2008 at 9:00PM }

It may come as a surprise, but there are a few Olympic gold medals that Michael Phelps forgot to nab, magpie-like, for the gold medal throne we imagine he's begun constructing. One of those, the gold for the men's 100m breaststroke, was won by Japan's Kosuke Kitajima. How did he best longtime rival Brendan Hansen? Why, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, of course.

"See, Mario does the breaststroke," he recently told Yomiuri Sports. "And thus, it's perfect mental training for envisioning the actual Olympic hall."

... Let's, umm ... let's try to keep this from Jack Thompson, OK?

[Via Kotaku]

Tags: mario, mario-and-sonic, mario-and-sonic-at-the-olympic-games, olympics, sega

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Saria the Cat @ Aug 12th 2008 9:05PM

Okay, two things:

1) How much did Nintendo pay him?

2) Justin, this has just become my favorite photoshop on Joystiq, second only to the exclusive pokemanz.

Jon2309 @ Aug 12th 2008 9:06PM

Oh my god, that was scary, same layout of post within seconds of each other...

error2k2 @ Aug 12th 2008 9:53PM

Nintendo didn't have to pay him anything. Kicking Sonic's ass is all the motivation you need, till we get a good Sonic game expect more gold medals.

LaughingTarget @ Aug 12th 2008 11:08PM

Beating Sonic in a swimming event isn't exactly something to write home about.

Justin McElroy @ Aug 13th 2008 9:47AM

Thanks, Saria. That's awful nice of you.

Jon2309 @ Aug 12th 2008 9:05PM

a: That is awesome, as unlikely as I think it has any benefit.

b: That picture made my day. Though it is only 2am.

Fernando Rocker @ Aug 12th 2008 9:05PM

Nice photoshop...

And Mario, you are awesome. I wish I was Goombario.

syrik zero @ Aug 12th 2008 9:06PM

What the hell Justin?! Hahahaha

Trying to make Ludwig happy?

LaughingTarget @ Aug 12th 2008 9:07PM

I know this has been said, like, a billion times already, but that picture is beyond hilarious. Now I wish someone would get him to wear a getup like that when he goes onto another event.

The Fatass of Kickassness @ Aug 12th 2008 9:17PM

I'd have gone with the Wario moustache, but whatever, thats a nice pic too.

j.howlett @ Aug 12th 2008 9:18PM

i can see how since he was already training for the event it could help mentally get right, i don't think mario could make him switch styles. alternatively mmm . . . breaststroke

Taco_Hell @ Aug 12th 2008 9:19PM

So remember kids, if you want to be an Olympic gold medalist, just follow what a fat, Italian plumber does.

Sora @ Aug 13th 2008 12:20AM

So I guess this means it's time to rally for Koopa killing as an Olympic sport!!!

Shaq-Fu @ Aug 12th 2008 9:32PM

Kitajima?

Medal Gear?

yes, I know its a stretch

cuso26 @ Aug 12th 2008 9:39PM

I'm sorry, but this was just way too easy. Thanks for the profile pic ;)

Rodrigo- GO Nathan Hale! @ Aug 12th 2008 9:47PM

ohh yea and wiifit showed me how to walk

DBuck_Eye @ Aug 12th 2008 9:49PM

Am I the only one hear who wanted Hansen to win the 100m?

Shaq-Fu @ Aug 12th 2008 9:50PM

Translated from the article (thanks Babel Fish!):

“[mario] does breaststroke, it is it does. Therefore already, atmosphere of the meeting place image training is perfect. You wanted to be defeated after all, the [tsu] shank which is not” you laughed

Wait, what?