Olympic Champion Christa Deguchi Takes On Solo TV Shoot in Aomori
Fresh from capturing a gold medal in the 57-kilogram division representing Canada at the Paris Olympics, Christa Deguchi traded the tatami for the coastal hot-spring town of Asamushi in Aomori Prefecture. Retired from active competition as of March 2025, the judo champion faced her first solo television location shoot for an episode of the ABC Television variety program Aiseki Shokudo, broadcast on October 13, 2026. Stepping into the area known locally as “Tohoku’s Atami,” Deguchi admitted to local residents that she felt as nervous as she would before a major match.
Sharing Abalone and Matchmaking Stories Over Local Confectionery
Walking through the region, Deguchi stopped at an abalone direct sales point and dining facility. She shared a table with a local family, striking up a conversation with a mother who detailed her path through her thirties—including frequent use of matchmaking applications and a deliberate search for a partner who shared her passion for horse racing. The candid exchange drew amused reactions from the show’s studio hosts, comedy duo Chidori.
Craft Beer, Hometown Economy, and Lifelong Judo Goals
Leaving the dining facility, Deguchi visited a combined craft brewery and taproom to taste freshly brewed beer with the shop’s owner. Born and raised in Asamushi, the owner opened the business to contribute to the hometown economy. Their discussion quickly turned toward community involvement and athletic longevity. Deguchi outlined her ongoing mission to promote judo in her hometown of Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture, emphasizing that her goal extends far beyond elite international tournaments to encouraging lifelong participation in the sport.
Ai Fukuhara’s Surprise Zao Appearance Completes the Broadcast
The October 13 broadcast also featured former table tennis competitor Ai Fukuhara visiting the mountain resort destination of Zao in Yamagata Prefecture. Alongside her appearances with local residents, Fukuhara participated in casual hot-spring table tennis while wearing a traditional yukata. The sequence prompted expressions of astonishment from the studio panel as the program maintained its trademark format of pairing elite athletes with unscripted regional encounters.
