I have chosen Naomi Osaka as my eminent person this year, not only for her success in her tennis career, but because she is an influential woman that leads by example. Naomi is not one to court the spotlight, yet the way she conducts herself at centre stage is very mature for her age. Over the years Naomi has gained a massive following and has used her platform to inspire millions.
Naomi always pushes herself to speak up for what she believes is right, even though it causes her a great deal of anxiety. After George Floyd’s death in May 2020, Naomi wore masks honoring seven victims of racial injustice during the U.S. Open. She later decided to withdraw from the tournament because she believed there were more important issues at hand than watching her play tennis.
“I think it’s important to use my voice, because for me I feel like I often hold back a lot, and I often worry about what people think of me. But if you have a platform, I think it’s very important to use it.” – Naomi Osaka
The next year, during the 2021 U.S. Open Naomi took another very powerful stance, shedding light on the importance of mental health. She decided that she was not going to speak to the media or partake in press conferences to preserve her mental health. Many fans, members of the media, and fellow tennis players frowned upon Naomi’s decision, but she stood up for what she believed in. Naomi uses her platform to spread positivity and to stand up for what she believes is right which is one of the many reasons I consider her eminent.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT NAOMI OSAKA
In many years from now when we look back on the greats in tennis history, the name Naomi Osaka will cross the minds of many. At the age of twenty-one, Naomi became the first Asian tennis player to hold the number one spot in the world. She is currently twenty-four and throughout her tennis career has achieved so much, including winning the 2018 U.S. Open against her childhood idol Serena Williams.
Along with her passion for tennis, Naomi takes great pride in her passion for fashion. Naomi is a trailblazer in the fashion industry, collaborating with popular brands such as Louis Vuitton, Nike, and LEVI’S. She also had the opportunity to co-host the 2021’s Met Gala wearing an outfit that paid tribute to her Japanese and Haitian heritage. While experimenting with her style, Naomi takes inspiration from “the vibrant colours of Haiti [and] the electric ensembles on the streets of Japan” (“Fashion,” n.d.). Naomi takes her passion for fashion and weaves it seamlessly with other aspects of herself, which is very inspiring.
I aspire to have the strength and leadership qualities that Naomi Osaka has. Throughout the years Naomi has taken many powerful stances on social justice issues. From the masks she wore at the 2020 U.S. Open, to the posts she makes on social media regarding mental health. Naomi uses her platform to shed light on important topics and make a positive impact in the world. I also look up to Naomi for the pride she takes in who she is. Despite constantly worrying what others think of her, Naomi pushes herself out of her comfort zone by speaking up for what she believes in and experimenting with her sense of style. Naomi Osaka is an influential woman that leads by example, which is why I believe she is eminent.
Naomi Osaka has been a very fulfilling eminent person to research. During my research, I have not only learned more about Naomi Osaka, but I have also learned more about myself. This research project has given me the opportunity to reflect on how I carry myself through life and what makes me who I am.
For the next phase of my research, I am shifting to more film sources rather than articles. I am going to watch interviews, the Naomi Osaka docuseries on Netflix, and maybe some of Naomi’s tennis matches. Watching videos will give me another perspective on who Naomi is as a person, rather than only reading articles about her. The next phase of my research will also include eminent person interviews. I am going to take this weekend to figure out how to best approach the upcoming interviews and maybe find some time to watch an episode of the Naomi Osaka docuseries.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER TO NAOMI’S DOCUSERIES
References:
Fashion: ASIDE FROM MY TENNIS, MY MOST TREASURES PASSION IN FASHION. (n.d.) NAOMI. https://www.naomiosaka.com/fashion/
Binner, A. (2021). Naomi Osaka: international Day of the Girl exists because opportunities aren’t the same for girls. Olympics. https://olympics.com/en/news/naomi-osaka-increasing-sport-opportunities-girls
Canova, D. (2021). Naomi Osaka says she won’t speak to media at French Open. FOX NEWS. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/naomi-osaka-wont-speak-media-french-open
Hess, L. (2021.) Naomi Osaka’s Met Gala Look Is a Powerful Celebration of Her Heritage. VOGUE. https://www.vogue.com/article/naomi-osaka-louis-vuitton-met-gala-look
Naomi Osaka among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. (2019). https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/04/b84c4a97df4f-naomi-osaka-among-time-magazines-100-most-influential-people.html
Naomi Osaka Wiki, Boyfriend, Family, Biography & More. (n.d). WikiBio. https://wikibio.in/naomiosaka/#:~:text=Naomi%20was%20born%20on%2016%20October%201997%20%28age-,father%E2%80%99s%20side%20and%20Japanese%20from%20her%20mother%E2%80%99s%20 side.
Osaka, N. (2021). Naomi Osaka: It’s O.K. Not to Be O.K. TIME. https://time.com/6077128/naomi-osakaessay-tokyo-olympics/
Quinn, D. (2019). Tennis Champ Naomi Osaka Talks Success: I Have to Be the Best or I’m Going to Be Homeless. https://people.com/sports/naomi-osaka-allure-interview-success-have-to-be-the-best/
R, R. (2021). Naomi Osaka on International Day of the Girl: I often worry about what people think of me, but if you have a platform it’s important to use it. https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-naomi-osaka-international-day-girl-i-often-worry-people-think-me-platform-important-use-it
Sports Illustrated. (2020, Dec, 7). Sportsperson of the Year: Naomi Osaka | Sports Illustrated [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg6FYOlYu9c
Links to Images in Fashion Collage:
- Naomi-Osaka-fashion.jpg (631×849) (hottennisbabes.com)
- image (1126×1090) (meredithcorp.io)
- jpg (2400×3263) (vogue.com)
- xNaomi-Osaka1.jpg.pagespeed.ic_.ztJ5-lhihJ.jpeg (2000×2500) (hashtaglegend.com)
- naomi-osaka-allure-magazine-usa-august-2019-issue-7.jpg (1280×1864) (celebmafia.com)
- naomi-osaka-in-gq-magazine-japan-december-2018-5.jpg (1200×1566) (hawtcelebs.com)
- naomi-osaka-louis-vuitton-dress-met-gala-2021.jpg (728×1046) (popsugar-assets.com)
Hello Makenna. Exceptional blog post! Your post was very insightful and highlighted the many ways Naomi Osaka uses her platform to inspire millions of people. I liked how the various links, pictures and quotes you included helped make your post feel cohesive and added depth. I do not have any criticism, keep up the excellent work, and try challenging yourself by exploring the other features the editor offers (the custom HTML block opens up many possibilities). Great job, and I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your project.
Very cool blog post. Loved the way all the information flows together and how nice the formatting is. Loved the quick links to the videos. Also liked the image quote!
Hi Makenna! Your post on Naomi Osaka was very organized, aesthetically pleasing, and insightful! I liked how you had so many different points explaining how eminent Naomi is, but I think you could have had more points explaining how you connected to her. Other than that, I learned so much from your post and found it very enjoyable.
Nice blog post! I like where you put the quotes and pictures; it tied the blog together nicely. If I were to change something, I would have liked to learn more about how you connect to her, but otherwise nice job with your blog!