JTTA: Selection System to be Revamped for Paris 2024

[NextLevel]

Miyazaki: Hold my beer.
Harimoto's dad: Ditto.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...-be-revamped-for-paris-2024.24977/post-441799
Miyazaki: I think it's Harimoto Miwa-san

Smart

Table tennis is about connecting what you're good at with what your opponent is not

It's like playing shogi on a table tennis table

(In terms of shogi world,) I think she is on the level of FUJII Sota

There are no junior high students like that

Tactics that are difficult to carry out unless you are a smart player

That's amazing

Smartness to toy with the opponents (ZYL: I strongly advise against it. See how I ended up.)

There aren't many junior high students who can do that

So smart I want to cut her into slices and take a look

https://web.archive.org/web/20240124070732/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://mytabletennis.net/forum/2023-zennoh-cup-osaka-11-2526_topic91479_page2.html
Dug up an episode of "Birthday" that aired on 2019/4/7.

Sense of table tennis exceeding that of Tomokazu Harimoto

The father who raised her brother acknowledges that quality

Yu Harimoto: Her training quality is higher than Tomokazu's

Surpassing her great brother

Miwa Harimoto: I will surpass onii-chan and get everyone to call me by my name

They just didn't play Miwa in adult international exhibitions when she was 11 years old and the Japanese ladies are more competitive but the hype is and was always there. TBH just wants to get on the bandwagon on the big ticket while refusing to discuss the nuances of the situation.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

My opinion is that Ito should go even if she's benched if she cares about any sort of future with JTTA. Clearly relationships are strained and she needs to mend them. There are many more milestones in TT besides Olympics which Zeio has also pointed out that Mima has yet to achieve. That said, Mima has appeared burnt out for a very long time and I think she needs some time away from the table after WTTC to reevaluate if 'training to death' for another four years is something that she wants or if she wishes to move on altogether. Whatever she chooses, she's already given us some of the most exciting table tennis this decade and has my blessing.

I'm fine with whatever she chooses, or whatever the coaches choose for her. There's always going to be netizens who say she's selfish for not going, or she's selfish for going and taking someone else's spot. I think she should ignore all that and do what's best for her. The Japanese women's TT team will be fine with or without her so she's not leaving a big hole if she's not there. And table tennis is an individual sport. If Roger Federer isn't on the Davis Cup team, does that really matter to anyone's opinion of him? I agree with you that she's given us many incredible moments to remember. All the best to her.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

I think it's sad that I haven't seen any articles that even mention Kihara as a candidate for the 3rd Olympic spot .... only Miwa and Mima. Kihara clearly went into the All Japan with a doubles focus as that should be vital to the role of 3rd player. She came out as All Japan WD champion and All Japan XD champion. I'm fine with whomever they select, but disappointed that there's no love for Kihara.

 

[Tempest/Comet]

I think it's sad that I haven't seen any articles that even mention Kihara as a candidate for the 3rd Olympic spot .... only Miwa and Mima. Kihara clearly went into the All Japan with a doubles focus as that should be vital to the role of 3rd player. She came out as All Japan WD champion and All Japan XD champion. I'm fine with whomever they select, but disappointed that there's no love for Kihara.

I’m with you on this. Kihara is getting to be a great/dependable partner in doubles. Unfortunately she was out before the semi.
But the bandwagon is about WS, and there’re a lot of hype on Miwa now (unhealthy for a 15 yr old…hope she won’t crash). However this is a TEAM competition, they’re missing on the nuances of flexibility and pairing. Miwa hasn’t shown much propensity in doubles. Who are they thinking to use for doubles ?!
“今の日本は早田と平野 あとは誰を選んでも. 銀メダルは取れます 決勝までは行けます.” - Miyazaki
Miyazaki seems to think that since Hayata & Hirano are in, JNT can put anyone in the 3rd spot and still reach the finals. His logic is hard to fathom.

 

[zeio]

Mizutani comments on Ito in the Morning Show on 1/29, noting how he's felt Ito changed, that Ito's image of defeating strong players has faded.

東京五輪金の水谷隼氏、パリ個人代表逃した“元相棒”伊藤美誠の苦悩を指摘「本人も言ってたんですけど…」
https://hochi.news/articles/20240129-OHT1T51040.html?page=1

　選考レースが２年間に及んだことに触れ、「本人も言ってたんですけど、東京五輪が終わった半年後からパリ五輪の選考がスタートしたんですね。３種目（混合金、団体銀、個人銅）でメダルをとって、リフレッシュしたい気持ちもあったと思うんですけど、選考レースがスタートして、本人はパリ五輪でメダルをとるという準備がまだない中で、いろんな方が『次はパリで金メダルだね』と声をかけていて、そのプレッシャー、最後まで重いものを背負ったまま、なかなかいいパフォーマンスがこの２年間できなかったという風に感じますね」と語った。

　また、この２年間の伊藤について「強い選手を倒す伊藤選手らしいなっていう姿が影を潜めてしまいました」と伊藤の変化を感じたことを明かした。

Needless to say, Ito's comment continues to draw criticism from both sides.

卓球・伊藤美誠「団体戦出るかはっきり決まってない」に波紋　「何様発言」「精神すり減らしてて心配」
https://www.j-cast.com/2024/01/29477148.html?p=all
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/4fdc5332a54b56825cff58e2745418216ac25abc (over 1000 comments at Yahoo News)

【卓球】世界選手権代表発表　伊藤美誠への批判に「一般人と抱えてる重さが違う」
https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/290649

 

[TensorBackhand]

still many years to go for the Harimoto family.
They could create history if they can over come China in one of these future Olympics

Nah, their real goal is to be "best non-Chinese"

 

[TensorBackhand]

Miyazaki: Hold my beer.
Harimoto's dad: Ditto.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...-be-revamped-for-paris-2024.24977/post-441799
Miyazaki: I think it's Harimoto Miwa-san

Smart

Table tennis is about connecting what you're good at with what your opponent is not

It's like playing shogi on a table tennis table

(In terms of shogi world,) I think she is on the level of FUJII Sota

There are no junior high students like that

Tactics that are difficult to carry out unless you are a smart player

That's amazing

Smartness to toy with the opponents (ZYL: I strongly advise against it. See how I ended up.)

There aren't many junior high students who can do that

So smart I want to cut her into slices and take a look

https://web.archive.org/web/2024012...ennoh-cup-osaka-11-2526_topic91479_page2.html
Dug up an episode of "Birthday" that aired on 2019/4/7.

Sense of table tennis exceeding that of Tomokazu Harimoto

The father who raised her brother acknowledges that quality

Yu Harimoto: Her training quality is higher than Tomokazu's

Surpassing her great brother

Miwa Harimoto: I will surpass onii-chan and get everyone to call me by my name

This was the last thing I wanted to see. I am a big fan of Miwa, but considering Miyazaki's history of bad predictions and overhyping players, he has essentially cursed Miwa.

 

[TensorBackhand]

I have no idea how selection works. Can somebody explain to me.

Ito is currently ranked 10, why is she not selected?

Hirano is ranked lower than Miwa and Ito, why was Hirano selected?

 

[zeio]

I think it's sad that I haven't seen any articles that even mention Kihara as a candidate for the 3rd Olympic spot .... only Miwa and Mima. Kihara clearly went into the All Japan with a doubles focus as that should be vital to the role of 3rd player. She came out as All Japan WD champion and All Japan XD champion. I'm fine with whomever they select, but disappointed that there's no love for Kihara.

You sure? Love for Kihara means hate for Hayata. As the latest Tieba comments show, Hayata's appeal is slowly but surely eroding away.

I warned about this at the start of the race in 2022.
https://web.archive.org/web/2024012...ennoh-cup-osaka-11-2526_topic91479_page3.html (05/05/2022 at 1:01pm)

She may be OFFICIALLY the highest-ranked now, but to be recognized as one of the best 2? Not that easy. The standard now is far higher than it was in 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKBLGe_iZWs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikuebvg8DE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY2p9zoox5E

https://youtu.be/aNotydmR_Qk?t=187

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=942e8tHL7XA

 

[zeio]

I have no idea how selection works. Can somebody explain to me.

Ito is currently ranked 10, why is she not selected?

Hirano is ranked lower than Miwa and Ito, why was Hirano selected?

Yet you are certain Miwa's brother is doomed. I seriously doubt you've lived in Japan now.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

You sure? Love for Kihara means hate for Hayata. As the latest Tieba comments show, Hayata's appeal is slowly but surely eroding away.

I warned about this at the start of the race in 2022.
https://web.archive.org/web/20240124070957/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://mytabletennis.net/forum/2023-zennoh-cup-osaka-11-2526_topic91479_page3.html (05/05/2022 at 1:01pm)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKBLGe_iZWs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikuebvg8DE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY2p9zoox5E

https://youtu.be/aNotydmR_Qk?t=187

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=942e8tHL7XA

I don't buy that love for Kihara means hate for Hayata. That's silly. And I also don't care if this or that Tieba user feels that Hayata's appeal is slowly eroding. Haters gonna hate.

 

[zeio]

They just didn't play Miwa in adult international exhibitions when she was 11 years old and the Japanese ladies are more competitive but the hype is and was always there. TBH just wants to get on the bandwagon on the big ticket while refusing to discuss the nuances of the situation.

Many recent Tieba comments (especially after Zennihon Takkyu 2024) have pointed out the hype for Miwa has been overblown, that not only she doesn't have the results of her brother, but also her mental resilience is simply incomparable, using 9:5 to 9:11 in G1 against Hayata as the latest example.

Ito exhibited the same problem back in the WT SF against Solja, dropping 7 points in a row from 9:3 and ending up 10:12 in G5. Harimoto has also shown the same problem in the WT F against WMY at Asian Games 2022, losing 5 points from 10:6 and ending up 11:13 in G4. Deja vu for Paris 2024?

 

[zeio]

I don't buy that love for Kihara means hate for Hayata. That's silly. And I also don't care if this or that Tieba user feels that Hayata's appeal is slowly eroding. Haters gonna hate.

You're fortunate to be living in a bubble. I envy you. You have the makeup for a great politician.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

You're fortunate to be living in a bubble. I envy you. You have the makeup for a great politician.

My bubble includes reality where Hayata proceeds to blow past her competition for the past couple of years in the Paris race based on the rules set by the JTTA. If she isn't deserving of one of the two singles spots, then I don't know who is.

 

[zeio]

I’m with you on this. Kihara is getting to be a great/dependable partner in doubles. Unfortunately she was out before the semi.
But the bandwagon is about WS, and there’re a lot of hype on Miwa now (unhealthy for a 15 yr old…hope she won’t crash). However this is a TEAM competition, they’re missing on the nuances of flexibility and pairing. Miwa hasn’t shown much propensity in doubles. Who are they thinking to use for doubles ?!
“今の日本は早田と平野 あとは誰を選んでも. 銀メダルは取れます 決勝までは行けます.” - Miyazaki
Miyazaki seems to think that since Hayata & Hirano are in, JNT can put anyone in the 3rd spot and still reach the finals. His logic is hard to fathom.

Harimoto is good in WD/XD, even better than Hayata if you ask me.

Hirano/Harimoto, even though the pair doesn't work, is gonna be the priority pair. Hayata forgoing WD is the signal that she will play 2 singles.

It's been dead clear for several months now, ever since they fielded Harimoto in the WT F against China at Asian Games 2022 that Ito opted out of. Kihara/Harimoto then went on to beat SYS/WMY in the WD QF as well on their first try that Ito/Hayata could only fathom after failing for years.

Hayata/Harimoto played once against Bergstrom/Kallberg at XTWC 2023, which worked pretty well, but highly unlikely to happen at Paris 2024 unless an emergency situation arises.

https://youtu.be/a_C2HXwKVlE?t=791

 

[zeio]

My bubble includes reality where Hayata proceeds to blow past her competition for the past couple of years in the Paris race based on the rules set by the JTTA. If she isn't deserving of one of the two singles spots, then I don't know who is.

Blow past her competition? Ito is the first one to disagree. Out of all the trials, how many 7 gamers did Hayata accrue? How many times did Ito fall before she could meet Hayata?

Race to Paris H2H
Hayata 1-2 Ito
Hayata 3-1 Hirano
Hirano 3-1 Ito

Reality
Lion Cup 2022
QF Ito 2-4 Nagasaki (Ito to meet Sato in SF, Hayata in F)
QF Ishikawa 3-2 -> 3-4 Hayata
F Nagasaki 3-0 -> 3-4 Hayata

Zennoh Cup Fukuoka 2022
SF Hayata 1-3 -> 3-4 Ito

Zennoh Cup Hiratsuka 2023
R16 Ito 2-4 Nagasaki (Ito to meet Hayata in QF)
R16 Yokoi 2-3 -> 3-4 Hayata

Nojima Cup 2023
QF Hayata 4-1 Yokoi (one could argue Yokoi drained her)
SF Hayata 2-3 -> 3-4 Ito

Zennoh Cup Tokyo 2023
SF Hayata 4-1 Odo
SF Ito 4-3 Hirano (one could also argue Hirano drained Ito)
F Hayata 4-0 Ito

Zennoh Cup Osaka 2023
QF Hayata 4-2 Odo (Hayata to meet Kihara in SF)
QF Yokoi 1-4 Kihara
QF Ito 2-4 Harimoto (Ito to meet Nagasaki in SF, Hayata in F)
QF Nagasaki 4-0 Hirano
SF Hayata 4-1 Kihara
SF Harimoto 4-2 Nagasaki
F Hayata 2-4 Harimoto

https://web.archive.org/web/2024012...nnoh-cup-osaka-11-2526_topic91479_page31.html (07/04/2023 at 8:48am)

Hayata: "Ito is mysteriously strong only when playing me."

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

The Training Headquarters has decided on the men and women representing Japan for the 2024 World Table Tennis Championships in Busan (team competition).

<Male players>

1. Tomokazu Harimoto (Tomokazu Planning)　　　　　*1st place in Paris Olympics singles selection points

2. Shunsuke Togami (Meiji University)　　　　　*2nd place in Paris Olympics singles selection points

3. Daito Shinozuka (Aichi Institute of Technology)　　　*3rd place in Paris Olympics singles selection points

4. Yuta Tanaka (individual)　　　　　　　*4th place in Paris Olympics singles selection points

5. Teru Sora Matsushima (Kinoshita Academy)　　*Recommended by the Strengthening Headquarters



<Female players>

1. Hina Hayata (Nippon Life Insurance Company)　　　　　*1st place in Paris Olympics singles selection points

2. Miu Hirano (Kinoshita Group)　　　*2nd place in Paris Olympics singles selection points

3. Mima Ito (Starts)　　　　　*3rd place in Paris Olympics singles selection points

4. Miwa Harimoto (Kinoshita Academy)　　*4th place in Paris Olympics singles selection points

5. Miyu Kihara (Kinoshita Group)　　　*Recommended by the Strengthening Headquarters

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Blow past her competition? Ito is the first one to disagree. Out of all the trials, how many 7 gamers did Hayata accrue? How many times did Ito fall before she could meet Hayata?

Race to Paris H2H
Hayata 1-2 Ito
Hayata 3-1 Hirano
Hirano 3-1 Ito

Reality
Lion Cup 2022
QF Ito 2-4 Nagasaki (Ito to meet Sato in SF, Hayata in F)
QF Ishikawa 3-2 -> 3-4 Hayata
F Nagasaki 3-0 -> 3-4 Hayata

Zennoh Cup Fukuoka 2022
SF Hayata 1-3 -> 3-4 Ito

Zennoh Cup Hiratsuka 2023
R16 Ito 2-4 Nagasaki (Ito to meet Hayata in QF)
R16 Yokoi 2-3 -> 3-4 Hayata

Nojima Cup 2023
QF Hayata 4-1 Yokoi (one could argue Yokoi drained her)
SF Hayata 2-3 -> 3-4 Ito

Zennoh Cup Tokyo 2023
SF Hayata 4-1 Odo
SF Ito 4-3 Hirano (one could also argue Hirano drained Ito)
F Hayata 4-0 Ito

Zennoh Cup Osaka 2023
QF Hayata 4-2 Odo (Hayata to meet either Kihara in SF)
QF Yokoi 1-4 Kihara
QF Ito 2-4 Harimoto (Ito to meet Nagasaki in SF, Hayata in F)
QF Nagasaki 4-0 Hirano
SF Hayata 4-1 Kihara
SF Harimoto 4-2 Nagasaki
F Hayata 2-4 Harimoto

https://web.archive.org/web/20240124082440/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:mytabletennis.net/forum/2023-zennoh-cup-osaka-11-2526_topic91479_page31.html (07/04/2023 at 8:48am)

Yes, she blew past her competition. She's 374.5 pts ahead of 2nd place. You can look at the points table to put into context how good that is.

 

[zeio]

Yes, she blew past her competition. She's 374.5 pts ahead of 2nd place. You can look at the points table to put into context how good that is.

Yet, Hayata told the media during Zennihon Takkyu 2024 that it took her everything to look after her own and could hardly care about others.

So yes, you're living in a bubble.

早田ひな「なんで２枠しかないの？」平野美宇ＶＳ伊藤美誠の壮絶五輪代表争い決着で率直な思い吐露「残酷」「卓球人生の面白さ」
https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2024/01/27/0017268023.shtml

　連覇を狙う早田は「自分のことで精いっぱいで他の選手を気にしている余裕はない」と前置きした上で、前日の同級生の盟友２人の壮絶な決着を映像で見たといい、「パリ五輪の（シングルスの）切符は２つしかなくて残酷」「なんで（シングルス代表は）２枠しかないのかなって、やっぱり率直に思う」と本音を吐露した。

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Nah, their real goal is to be "best non-Chinese"

at today table tennis, that is a damn good accolade, but you are a tough one to please - everyone knows.
you love cheap clone equipment and wont' settle for originals (everyone knows too)

at lease the siblings are original and are tackling the best of the best, and are the best non-Chinese.
I can list so many top pros throughout the past 20 years that have tried that, and are rated lower than the siblings success to date and they are still SO YOUNG

Like Chuang said (he reached WR3 once), it is just so difficult to beat any of the Chinese (provincial team players), yet alone the elite of the elite from the main team (CNT A team).