Naomi Osaka says lighting cauldron was ‘greatest’ honor

As the Opening Ceremony at the Summer Olympics was coming to a close Friday night in Tokyo, Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka lit the iconic Olympic cauldron.

Osaka — the No. 2 tennis player in the world and four-time Grand Slam champ who will compete for the host country at the Games — was the final Olympic torchbearer in what’s usually a long and celebrated relay in the months leading up to the Olympics.

As NBC Sports noted, the relay began in March in Fukushima before traveling across Japan for 121 days and reaching Tokyo on July 9. However, this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the public portion of the torch relay was canceled, so torchbearers did not run through the streets surrounded by fans as originally planned.

But the tradition of lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony continued, and Osaka described it as “the greatest athletic achievement and honor” of her life.

Undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honor I will ever have in my life. I have no words to describe the feelings I have right now but I do know I am currently filled with gratefulness and thankfulness love you guys thank you. pic.twitter.com/CacWQ5ToUD

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka)

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pic.twitter.com/KcobZIwVKp

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka)

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Tennis at the Tokyo Games begins Saturday, July 24.

Here’s a closer look at Osaka lighting the cauldron at Friday’s Opening Ceremony.