Olympic gold medalist credits Wii with helping him mentally prepare

Look folks, we won't deny that hardcore usage of the Wii could result in weight loss, but we have all ideas Japan's Kosuke Kitajima relied a lot more on swimming laps religiously and eating a set diet than playing Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, the Olympic gold medalist, who snagged said medal in the men's 100-meter breaststroke earlier this week, did mention that he used the game to prepare his mind. "See, Mario does the breaststroke," he stated, "and thus, it's perfect mental training for envisioning the actual Olympic hall." We'd say that's being mighty generous, but whatever gets you to the other end first, right?

[Via Joystiq]

[kingofwale @ Aug 13th 2008 8:31AM]

so... since Mario does breaststroke, it's a way for him to train?

Someone is taking video game worshipping to a new level. Look out, Tom Cruise!

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Aug 13th 2008 8:55AM]

Wouldn't beating Mario in the swimming only equip the guy for beating the Italian swim team?

HAR HAR HAR

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Aug 13th 2008 8:56AM]

I'd also like to credit Halo CE for allowing me to stay celibate throughout high school.

[engadgetier @ Aug 13th 2008 11:03AM]

OK people, i would like to officially announce that the nintendo wii has help me overcome the last level in zelda. that u wii.

[Hexing @ Aug 13th 2008 4:39PM]

Hmm... Can he play Crysis?

[Jon MacDoanld @ Aug 13th 2008 1:49PM]

Malarky

[quomen @ Aug 13th 2008 8:35AM]

Sigh.

[Nick @ Aug 13th 2008 8:41AM]

Saw this on gizmodo yesterday pretty funny.

[thatrotierkid @ Aug 13th 2008 9:45AM]

everytime i see your avatar it makes my day

[whatishalo? @ Aug 13th 2008 2:39PM]

Pleaes no wii in the pool!

[avester @ Aug 13th 2008 8:52AM]

I bet that this has NOTHING to do with the hollow solid-gold Wii case filled with Benjamins that Nintendo gave to him.

[farfisa @ Aug 13th 2008 9:01AM]

mentally prepare... to kill?

What? no? oh, so it's THAT kind of video game story.

[Kit @ Aug 13th 2008 9:06AM]

Whoa.... can you tell me how much did the PR company paid you?

[EI8HT @ Aug 13th 2008 9:12AM]

this is probably some ploy from nintendo to boost sales in their country. does the phrase "dirk diggler, now that you've won the superbowl, what are you going to do?" ring a bell? disneyland and mcdonalds pay athletes millions to answer that question.

[John @ Aug 13th 2008 9:35AM]

Does Nintendo really need a ploy to boost sales, especially in their country?

[EI8HT @ Aug 13th 2008 4:22PM]

john, does mcdonalds or disneyland really need a ploy to boost sales in the united states (let alone the rest of the world). come on, any company america, japan, etc. would pay top dollar to have one of their top athletes endorse them.

[Don Corleone @ Aug 13th 2008 9:12AM]

Oh, so that's why Phelps kicked so much ass.

[Rogue_Genius @ Aug 13th 2008 12:28PM]

yes, because Michael Phelps swims for the Japanese team. exactly.

[projekt84 @ Aug 13th 2008 9:46AM]

for the love of god:

MARIO DOES THE BREASTSTROKE IN SUPER MARIO BROTHERS GAMES IN WATER LEVELS, NOT IN SOME STUPID WII OLYMPICS GAME.

[sabrewulf @ Aug 13th 2008 10:03AM]

Sounds like Nintendo made a generous deposit into Phelps account.

[tiuk @ Aug 13th 2008 10:11AM]

I hate to be one of those "read the article" guys, but it's in the damned summary. It wasn't Phelps.

[Don Corleone @ Aug 13th 2008 10:25AM]

The Phelps refs are sarcastic. duh.

[Odo @ Aug 13th 2008 10:27AM]

'Olympic gold medalist credits Wii with helping him mentally prepare and steroids for the rest.'

[Redbeaver @ Aug 13th 2008 10:44AM]

dang...

but i suppose with a gold medal u can pretty much joke some shit around and still smiles....

[strang @ Aug 13th 2008 10:51AM]

Nintendo needs to get this guy on their cover.

[kevin @ Aug 13th 2008 12:29PM]

Aren't you going to mention his name in the post? This is freaking Michael Phelps we're talking about - give the man some credit!

[AL @ Aug 13th 2008 12:59PM]

Parents all around the world are now being bombarded by their kids: "Mom, buy me a Wii so that I can get a gold medal at the next Olympics."