In the same Table Tennis Kingdom issue with Hirano’s interview, the Editor-in-chief also did an in depth one with Ito Mima, a full 7 pages long (pg130-137).
The following are some excerpts.
Q: you’re always cool, unflappble, but there were tears when you didn’t make it after the Trials…
Ito: at the time, not only was I weak at TT, I was also psychologically unwell. Mom said many times “if it’s like that, why not give up TT?”
TT has always been a joy for me, but I was tangled up with grief.
I have always played following my heart, playing care-free makes me happy. Although I know once I grew up other considerations will bring change, but I never thought it would be like this. I became someone even myself can’t predict, I felt no one can understand how I feel.
Q: you have mom…
Ito: I can’t show Mom I am fragile, she always thought I was strong. Even with friends in the TT circle, I can’t show my emotions or weakness. I think it’s the same with others?
Q: you feel lonely?
Ito: I do. I think I am more lonely than others can imagine. This is something I can’t tell anyone and absolutely can’t let other players see.
During the Olympics Hina-chan gave me tremendous support thus allowing me to complete free of care and happy. But once the Trials began, we became spot competitors. I couldn’t possibly tell her then. I knew she was extremely concerned about me, but I hid it.
By January’23, I felt if I don’t change the circumstances, I’ll fall into a depression. By then I have joined Nissay, so I can train there, or invite players from Kwansei Univ over to practice, just to change the environment.
I was constantly with Mom and Matsuzaki, but I felt it didn’t have to be that way everyday. I relied on my therapist who knew how unbalanced I was. I just can’t confide in my parents or my coach.
Q: parting with Matzusaki after the ‘23 Nationals was for this reason (change in circumstances)?
Ito: One of them. I felt mentally fatigued with the constant & serious conflicts. I didn’t want to rely on others, nor let them see my frail mental state. I thought once I’m left alone, away from Matsuzaki, I can effect change myself. After that, my moods did indeed become lighter.
Q: be that as it may, a coach is important, a bench coach?
Ito: Although having a coach at the bench definitely has advantage, I felt playing by myself suits me better. A coach is not everything, or who’s on the bench. Sometimes my coach baffled me. Towards the end, our arguments increased, and I can’t think clearly. I felt confused.
Q: mom was ok?
Ito: now that’s interesting 😋 but I didn’t think about it all during the Trials. Even a training partner would be alright, what was needed was someone who can make me relax, the gentle kind is best. Sitting on the bench, all he need to say is “um…um…”
Q: summer of ‘23, Hayata broke free of the pack, it became a duel between you and Hirano…
Ito: Hina-Chan was always on top during the whole Trials, almost without miss. I felt in Japan, she’ll definitely not loose to anyone. Other than myself, nobody can beat her.
In ‘23-06, I beat her once in T-League, but a few weeks later, I lost to her in a Trials SF. I felt she knew my tactics, and has prepared meticulously. She led far ahead of everyone, so it became a duel between Miu-Chan and myself.
Q: objectively, your previous play style was more creative, but this creativity seemed to have gradually declined over time. Previously in every tournament, you used to deploy a variety of play style, avoiding opponents’ familiarity…
Ito: it did indeed. I felt the scope of my play style had progressively narrowed. I wanted to pursue a TT style that is “unbeatable. I thought, if pips can no longer win as before, what should I do?” I’m still searching for the ‘why’.
The previous balls were easier to smash, has a higher spin, but those properties have subtly changed. Even if I change my playing style, it would only benefit my opponents, as constancy makes me a easier to predict target. Even with my smash and flat hits, they can counter attack.
I sensed my advantage was gradually diminishing. Knowing I can no longer win with the old way, I tried in the later stages of the Trials, to get into rallies. But then after I lost to Yokoi in All-Japan, I have reverted back to flat hits and varied unpredictable style. But whatever I do, it seems to have no effect on my opponents.
Q: relative to Tokyo, I noticed you move your body differently and more now…
Ito: even speaking positively, it’s still crude. The Trials and WTT use different balls now. Adapting to them, and still attacking became difficult. Pips are becoming ineffective, smash-into-nets & missed errors also increased. I don’t think I can go on like that.
It’s no longer the unpredictable, whimsical type of play can win, but the traditional, strong in rallies type that do. Personally I find it boring.
Q: after the Nov Trials, it all came down to All-Japan…
Ito: I knew if I didn’t go 2 rounds deeper than Miu-Chan, it’s game over. But I wasn’t particularly anxious, I just felt that I must give it all. I think Miu-Chan endured even more pressure. It was pointless to worry, I can only do my best.
Q: and then in the National…
Ito: I felt I did ok, having come this far. With my mental state, even a lesser ranking was possible.
Renewing my joy in TT was one of my objectives, this I succeeded. Playing alone with ‘no coach’, going everywhere to practice, tracing with multiple players are a lot of fun. I found that feeling again.
Although I felt it’d be nice if I have actively pursued these from the start, there is still that satisfying feeling of winning (gold) that’s hard to convey to others. Even alone, I feel I’m doing very nicely. After All-Japan, someone consoled “you’ve done your best, thanks for your hard work.” This touched me deeply.
Q: during the press conference you said “…feels like ending it…” but there’s also “I can’t quit now, I still want to try some more…” that’s meaningful, are you retiring?
Ito: Firstly, that was the night that I decided to rest my goals to reaching world rank #1. Feeling released but with a touch of regret (not making Team). My therapist said “go do what you like then.”
What I couldn’t do during the Trials was to enter many international competitions. If I canceled my prearranged WTT tournaments, the penalty is in the millions of ¥s plus lost of ranking. From here on I’ll participate in even more international tournaments. If there is an objective, it is to rise to world rank #1. Going to the World Cup and Inchon was decided that night.
Q: during Busan, you were nicknamed “Coach Ito”…
Ito: to be called that felt odd, even weird 😋. It was because of Wantanaba-sama that I was making comments. What I gave was not coaching suggestions, but my perspective as a player, at the table.
To say I’m “coach Ito” is disrespectful to Wantanaba-sama. Before the tournament, he encouraged me to communicate my thoughts and to offer suggestions. Some coaches might dislike this, but it is because of Coach Wantanabe that the team maintained such harmony.
Q: would you consider Mizutani on the bench ?
Ito: NO WAY!😋 we would quarrel. Jun do occasionally say nice things to me, but that’s only 10% of the time😋. Rest of the time it’s gibberish. He’s a genius in rousing my ire. After nice words he’ll add something stupid, which makes me angry😝. On TV he tries hard but the response is negative. He’s unconvincing…right Jun?🤣
Q: you mentioned goal of becoming WR#1, what comes after?
Ito: Still a blank page. But I want to travel. There were many thing I couldn’t do when I’m competing.
I want to go to Paris, not to compete, just as a tourist😋. I like to seeLondon, Milan, also to Cappadocia (Turkey) to ride hot air halons. No more JNT uniforms, just casual wear 😄. I’m really looking forward to these.
