Popular comedian Shizuyo Yamasaki will serve as a member of the Japan Boxing Federation’s committee for the enhancement and popularization of female boxers in preparation for next year’s Tokyo Olympics, Yamasaki, popularly known as ‘’Shizu-chan’’ for short, told an online press conference on Sept. 2.

Yamasaki, who forms the comedy duo Nankai Candies with Ryota Yamasato, said, ‘’I have always wanted to repay the federation’s favor on many fronts as I was trying hard to participate in the 2012 London Olympics. Though I was not able to qualify myself for the Olympics, the efforts at that time served me in good stead in my life. Therefore, I have always wanted to do something good for the federation.’’

Tsukimi Namiki of the flyweight and Sena Irie of the featherweight have already been qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, the first time Japanese female boxers have been qualified for the Olympic Games.