The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer games are nearing their end, but we’ve seen a lot of medals being given out and in turn a lot of celebrations. Most of them have been your standard fare of fist pumps, waves, and points. But some of them have been special, and we’ve been taking notice. A couple, in particular, have paid homage to the popular anime and manga series One Piece, through some celebrations that have resembled moves performed by some signature characters.
Take Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece for example. Not content with just winning the gold medal in the men’s long jump, he then went on to replicate One Piece protagonist Monkey D. Luffy’s Gear Second pose. That’s something we nerds at The Nerd Stash can absolutely get behind and it seems like the staff behind the long-running anime and manga series has agreed with our sentiment and offered their thanks to the athletes that have featured One Piece celebrations via drawing special manga images featuring those celebrations. The first one was written in Greek to recognize Tentoglou and features an illustration of Luffy doing his signature pose.
Αγαπητέ άλτη από την Ελλάδα, Μιλτιάδη Τέντογλου:
Πραγματικά γιορτάζουμε και μεις, μαζί με τους φίλους μας ανά τον κόσμο. Νιώθουμε απεριόριστο σεβασμό για την προσπάθεια και τα επιτεύγματα σου! pic.twitter.com/l298Fv9Crg
— ONE PIECEスタッフ【公式】 (@Eiichiro_Staff) August 5, 2021
We really celebrate, together with our friends around the world. We feel unlimited respect for your effort and achievements!” – rough translation
The second paid tribute to USA shot putter Payton Otterdahl, who may not have finished with a medal in the men’s shot put at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but he has earned something perhaps even more valuable – recognition from the team over at One Piece after Otterdahl performed Franky’s “Super” pose in front of the American flag, even appearing to utter the words “super” while doing so. He also received a tweet of thanks with Franky doing his signature pose with the following caption:
We sincerely celebrate the activities of our “NAKAMA” around the world with the utmost respect for your efforts and achievements.”
Dear USA shot putter; Payton Otterdahl
We sincerely celebrate the activities of our "NAKAMA" around the world with the utmost respect for your efforts and achievements. pic.twitter.com/wSpnifZyK4
— ONE PIECEスタッフ【公式】 (@Eiichiro_Staff) August 5, 2021
Another athlete, Italian Massimo Stano won the 20km race walk gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and appeared to celebrate with Luffy’s Gear 3 pose, although he later admitted it was for his daughter. That didn’t stop the One Piece team from offering their own thanks.
Caro marciatore Italiano Massimo Stano
Celebriamo sinceramente le attività dei nostri "NAKAMA" in tutto il mondo con il massimo rispetto per i vostri sforzi e risultati. pic.twitter.com/wQeD3pyYCs
— ONE PIECEスタッフ【公式】 (@Eiichiro_Staff) August 6, 2021
What do you make of this series of tributes? Do you agree with us and think that it’s a very endearingly nice recognition by the Tokyo 2020 Olympic athletes by the One Piece team? Are there any other One Piece Olympics celebrations you could do if you won? Leave us a comment down below with your thoughts.
