IIRC 8-3 , she took the TO at 8-5 and was down 8-9 before winning it 12-10
I first met the Japanese girls around 8 years ago.
still in the junior circuit
They were already ready to move over to senior team and would do so in the new year.
They started to dominate the senior circuit, because they were just so good.
But I thought, child soldiers fighting adult wars....
fast track 8 years now, the pressure has probably influences some of the girls in a way.... Maybe someone who is more qualified than me on this topic can maybe confirm if my view has any merit.
Its not an age thing that you can't take on adults, but it is rather an age thing with the weight all on the kids shoulders.
CNT never had this issue, cause when FZD and Ma Long were 15/16, they were little kids but still had grown ups doing the fighting. They only took on responsibility as the leaders way older.
the Japanese girls were different..... they had to lead the war.
Only CNT leader (in a way) is Guo Yue at age 16 if I recall (Guo Yue didn't carry all, since she still had grown ups around) and Deng Ya Ping (same, she had older players around), and Guo Yue became a "discipline problem". Deng Ya Ping retired out of boredom.
Hayata was probably the only one that didn't face the pressure, and today, mentally and technicality, I think she is the strongest from the few I met back then.