Kasumi Ishikawa’s Impressive Adaptability and Likability in Secret Photo Collection

“Amidst the historic buildings and beautiful cityscape, I was able to experience the unique charm of the Paris Olympics!”

 

On August 12, former women’s table tennis player and broadcaster Kasumi Ishikawa (31), who participated as a caster for the Paris Olympics 2024, updated her SNS with behind-the-scenes photos and reflected on the past 14 days. As a caster, she shared her feelings:

 

“When a player won, I was genuinely happy as if it were my own victory. Unfortunately, when a player lost, the pressure was immense, and thinking about the effort they had put in for that day, I found it difficult to find words.”

 

In the comments section, praise poured in, such as, “It was truly an excellent commentary,” and “I was moved by how you focused on interviewing rather than being in the camera’s spotlight.” 

 

“Kasumi Ishikawa has been popular for her refreshing appearance and personality since her active playing days, and she was also highly skilled as a caster. Her consideration to avoid overshadowing others and her respect for the athletes were clearly conveyed through the screen. Her words were easy to understand and straightforward, allowing viewers to receive information and feelings directly. A television network representative even described it as ‘the greatest achievement of this tournament’.” (Private broadcaster sports program director) 

Looking back at Kasumi Ishikawa’s table tennis career, her breakthrough came in 2007 when she reached the semifinals of the All Japan Championships, defeating several seasoned players. She became a sensation, often compared to Ai Fukuhara and referred to as “the second Ai-chan.” At that time, *FRIDAY* conducted a solo interview with Ishikawa, who was a student at the prestigious Shitennoji Habikigaoka Junior High School in Osaka. She confidently stated:

“I didn’t feel any pressure at all. From now on, there will be more research on me, so I think I need to compete with even stronger determination than before.”

She also showed a more youthful and honest side when she admitted,

“I became a fan of Matsumoto Jun from ‘Arashi’ after watching the drama ‘Hana yori Dango.'”

In 2012, she was seen rushing to a bookstore to buy manga after her matches, and in 2023, after her retirement, she enjoyed high-end Chinese cuisine with male athletes. Kasumi Ishikawa has displayed a range of expressions throughout her career. It remains to be seen whether she will have more opportunities to shine in television programs in the future.

“Her charm lies in her refreshing smile and honest, straightforward way of speaking. That has not changed at all since she was a child. I think she will continue to receive numerous offers from television programs in the future, but it is hard to imagine her shifting to a purely entertainment-focused career. Her activities will likely remain centered around table tennis.” (The aforementioned director) 

 

Given that Kasumi Ishikawa’s market value is skyrocketing, it might seem a bit of a missed opportunity, but if she continues to occasionally share her refreshing and charming presence, her fans will be more than satisfied.