Judo Champion Natsumi Tsunoda Trades Mat for Osaka’s Culinary Scene
Olympic gold medalist Natsumi Tsunoda is swapping her judogi for a foodie adventure on a new Japanese variety show.
- Paris Olympics gold medalist Natsumi Tsunoda will appear on the MBS program “Gulp” (Gobugobu) on December 27th.
- The show will feature a tour of Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, focusing on both gourmet food and World Heritage sites.
- Tsunoda requested the food-focused tour, admitting she’s currently prioritizing enjoyment over weight management.
- Comedian Masatoshi Hamada and Kobukuro’s Shunsuke Kuroda will join Tsunoda on her culinary and cultural exploration.
Olympic gold medalist Natsumi Tsunoda, who triumphed in the women’s judo 48kg class at the Paris Olympics, is trading the competitive arena for a gastronomic journey. The athlete will be a guest on the December 27th broadcast of “Gulp” (Gobugobu), a location program hosted by comedian Masatoshi Hamada of the duo “Downtown” (MBS, Saturday 1:54 p.m.).
Natsumi Tsunoda and Masatoshi Hamada appearing on “Gobugobu.”
Tsunoda, a self-described enthusiast of World Heritage sites both domestically and abroad, requested a tour centered around indulging in local cuisine. “Right now, I can’t lose weight, so I want to eat as much as I want,” she reportedly said, setting the stage for a “Sakai Heritage Bakushu Tour” of Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture.
A Feast for a Champion
The culinary adventure began at “Gin Shari en Sakai,” a popular self-service set meal restaurant known for its long lines since opening at 8 a.m. Hamada was visibly surprised when Tsunoda piled her plate with more than double the number of side dishes he selected. “It’s delicious,” Tsunoda declared, clearly enjoying the bounty.
The duo then visited “September 8th,” a well-regarded sandwich shop owned by Shunsuke Kuroda of the musical duo “Kobukuro.” They found Kuroda himself at the shop, where he revealed, “When I’m not at work, I’m usually at the store.” Skeptical, Hamada and Tsunoda questioned his claim before sampling Kuroda’s signature yakiniku sandwich, which elicited enthusiastic cries of “It’s delicious!” from both.
Ancient Tombs and Unexpected Mishaps
Kuroda continued to accompany the filming crew as they headed to the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a designated World Heritage Site. However, their exploration of the ancient tombs wasn’t without incident. An unspecified event occurred at a hot air balloon spot offering panoramic views of the historic site, adding an element of unexpected drama to the day’s itinerary.
