"Spreading the BLING-PONG Gospel"

Naomi Yotsumoto appeared in the UFO-like arena in a tight, deep aquamarine-colored top with a gold-sequined collar, a matching miniskirt and something that- at risk of sounding rather tautological- only be described as lacy "fishnet" leg warmers. Also sporting makeup, eyeliner and mascara- and to top it off, her curly hair was piled up in a giant bun and was spliced by what appeared to be a feather.
This wasn't supposed to happen- not the gear, nor the drubbing. Table tennis is supposed to be, well, uncool and anything but sensational. Right?
Naomi has been a high-performing table tennis player for more than 10 years. From Jan.2001 to May2002 she was ranked in the top 150 women in the world. But recently, another aspect of the 29-year-old's game has been scooping the headlines: her stated desire to put more bling into the ping. After the match she reiterated an earlier vow: "I want to start a revolution in table tennis."
She went on: "The sport has an image of being dull and uncool. I want to make it more popular; that's why I've been wearing attractive clothes in competitions."
She began the revolution last year's National Championships, when she appeared in a yellow off-the-shoulder dress with a 15-cm white daisy in her hair. The flower caught the attention of the match umpire, who decided to order it's removal on the basis that it was a non-essential decoration.

One says "There are more people here this year than last year, so maybe her efforts are paying off."

Source: The Japan Times
Feb.17,2008

PS/ As for me, we are all entitled to our own opinion...but it's how Naomi wants and she has all the right to do so. But if there's a rule in that game that's prohibiting that snazzy wear then she'll have to conform with it by all means.

Natural lang at ordinaryong tanawin yan dito sa Japan. Yun ang fashion dito. Pag wala kang mascara at eyeliner ay di ka in. At super ganda ng mascara dito, kahit maligo ka araw araw...3 days na ay andun pa rin siya. At no-smear ha. :D