Japan’s Shinzo Abe Pops Up as Super Mario for Olympics Closing Ceremony
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe surprised watchers of the Olympics Games closing ceremony by donning a Super Mario costume to celebrate the official handover from Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo.
Abe made the whimsical entrance following a short clip which showed him transform into Mario to try to find the way to Rio. Joined by Pac-Man and anime figures, he jumps into his famous green pipe in Tokyo, and then falls down a tunnel through the earth to the Brazilian Maracana stadium.
Abe then rose up from a pipe in the stadium dressed as the iconic Nintendo video game character, donning a suit and hat and holding a red ball, which he held high in the air. The bit was to commemorate the official handover to Tokyo, which will host the Olympic Games in 2020.
PM Abe appears at Rio closing ceremony dressed as Mario. pic.twitter.com/CK7HjKUk0c
— Nippon.com (@nippon_en) August 22, 2016
Social media immediately went wild, with viewers amazed at the sight of the typically stony-faced Prime Minister engaging in such light-hearted fun.
Looks like I can cross out "Shinzo Abe coming out of a green pipe as Mario" off my "must see list". #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/wdkxygMgTT
— Basith (@aBasithH) August 22, 2016
In only five minutes, the Japanese overshadowed the entire #ClosingCeremony. They absolutely Beyoncéd #Rio2016.
— Fernando (@coverfer) August 22, 2016
I thought that was the coolest entrance – Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as Super Mario coming out of a pipe! #Tokyo2020
— Patricia Hizon (@patriciahizon) August 22, 2016
I used to think Justin Trudeau was a cool PM, but Shinzo Abe just dressed up as Super Mario. Now that's commitment to a gimmick! #Olympics
— Brian Palmer (@the_real_palmer) August 22, 2016