2025 All Japan (Emperor's/Empress's Cup) 1/21-1/26

[fore.n.back]

Day 5
WS QF
11:00 JST
T1 Hayata vs Shibata (Shibata looks really hungry and she knows how to make Hayata suffer, much like Kato)
T2 Odo vs I
12:00
T1 Ito vs Hirano
T2 山﨑 唯愛/YAMASAKI Yua vs Harimoto

MS QF
14:00
T1 Harimoto vs Tanaka
T2 Sone vs Matsushima
15:00
T1 Shinozuka vs Uda
T2 岡野 俊介/OKANO Shunsuke vs Tanigaki

With Togami gone, I'm rooting for Uda to enter the finals, but Shinozuka and Tanigaki won't be easy. On the other branch Tanaka should grab this chance and get himself some sponsors

 

[backspacer]

Man, I want to catch up on Hashimoto's loss, but the archive keeps buffering.

 

[Tempest/Comet]

Hayata may withdraw from the next round because of arm issues.

 

[zeio]

WS QF
Hayata vs Shibata
G1 44, 104, 105, 115?
G2 117
G3 66, 76 TO for Shibata, 88, 810, 1210
G4 510, 810, 811
G5 115
Shibata completely lost her flow after 4:4 in G1 and didn't find her way until G3. Could've been a different game had she gotten G3.

Yamasaki vs Harimoto
G1 06, 59, 119
G2 109, 1113
G3 79 edge for Yamasaki, 89 TO for Harimoto, 119
G4 1012
G5 411
G6 34 TO for Yamasaki, 611
The two nets for Yamasaki starting from the endgame of G1 totally disrupted Harimoto's flow. Her well-hidden shovel serve won her a lot of points.

 

[fore.n.back]

Her well-hidden shovel serve won her a lot of points.

Beside the serve, nothing from her stand-out tbh

 

[driversbeat]

is the stream loading for anyone

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

is the stream loading for anyone

Miu / Mima starting now

 

[zeio]

Ito vs Hirano
G1 66, 69, 79, 710, 810, 811
G2 31, 94, 104, 107, 117
G3 51, 52, 72, 73, 83, 84, 94, 95, 115
G4 13, 33, 37, 47, 48, 58, 510, 610, 611
G5 41, 42, 52, 57, 67, 610, 710, 711
G6 02, 12, 13 TO for Ito, 23, 24, 44, 45, 65, 68, 78 endline edge for ITO and TO for Hirano, 79, 89, 810, 1210
G7 40, 41, 61, 64, 74, 75, 95, 96, 116
Locker room tactic for Hirano after G3 worked out but still a repeat of Singapore Smash 2024.

Odo vs I
G1 118
G2 119
G3 1312 TO for Odo, 1412
G4 15, 25, 211?
G5 65 TO for I, 66, 77, 87, 88, 98, 99, 109, 1010, 1210

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

wow its getting very interesting ! a decider between Hirano and Ito !
Hirano was 8-7 in G6 but lost 10-12 ! some incredible reflex shots from both side !

 

[driversbeat]

Hirano fumbled two matchpoints.
Comes down to game 7.
Is she developing a metal block against Ito? Can't seem to cross the finish line in tight matches.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

Hirano fumbled two matchpoints.
Comes down to game 7.
Is she developing a metal block against Ito? Can't seem to cross the finish line in tight matches.

they are rivals since they are kids and know each other so well. its not just about world ranking or skills between those 2

Mima wins it ! 11-6 in G7

 

[driversbeat]

they are rivals since they are kids and know each other so well. its not just about world ranking or skills between those 2

Mima wins it ! 11-6 in G7

In recent years, whenever Hirano wins its 4-0. whenever Ito wins its in the decider. I think Hirano has only won in the decider once out of the last 4 times.

Hirano's All Japan Singles medal drought continues. 7 years running now.
Ito gets her first medal since 2022.

I feel this match was quite significant since the other three semifinalists are Hayata, Miwa, and Odo who are at the moment prime candidates for LA2028. Hirano and Ito are essentially fighting to stay in the core team.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

LA is still far away. WTTC2025 is gonna be much more important

 

[zeio]

Hirano fumbled two matchpoints.
Comes down to game 7.
Is she developing a metal block against Ito? Can't seem to cross the finish line in tight matches.

She wouldn't have won yesterday if that were the case. Her domestic record against Ito during the selection was 3W1L and that loss happened in the same manner. I'd say she's overworked like Tomokazu who also has a problem closing out matches.

 

[zeio]

In recent years, whenever Hirano wins its 4-0. whenever Ito wins its in the decider. I think Hirano has only won in the decider once out of the last 4 times.

Hirano's All Japan Singles medal drought continues. 7 years running now.
Ito gets her first medal since 2022.

I feel this match was quite significant since the other three semifinalists are Hayata, Miwa, and Odo who are at the moment prime candidates for LA2028. Hirano and Ito are essentially fighting to stay in the core team.

That also applies to Hayata against Ito. Hayata either won 4-0 (the last time) or lost 3-4 (the first 2 times) during the selection. Before that, the last time Hayata won was 4-3 at Zennihon Takkyu 2020 and then she lost 3-4 and 1-4 in 2021 and 2022 (after getting through Kato 4-3).

In a nutshell, Ito knows what to do against Hirano and Hayata whenever it comes down to the wire.

This edition of Zennihon Takkyu has the least stake and usefulness in projecting the future. 2025 = 2017.

 

[zeio]

LA is still far away. WTTC2025 is gonna be much more important

If Hayata didn't lie about her hand here (similarly for previous mixed-zone interviews), then she is in the most danger right now.

It's approaching 6 months now and if she is still feeling pain in her forearm once the intensity hits a certain level then her career is really as good as over.

 

[Janard]

Hirano is probably safe now that Rui is the head coach and seems to think well of her. Ito is likely the one who needs the results more I guess.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

sorry, stupid question, i didn't really understand what this cup is about and who can participate.

All Japan, is Japan's national table tennis championships.
you need to qualify for this tournament by having positions within your districts and from there you can take part in All Japan.

So even the first round looser, are top 3 players from their districts - which isn't an easy task.
You have junior and senior (open) category and this is Japan's most important tournament in the year.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Japan is the best reputable nation. They never using boosters, Nor they trading boosters at all. Some favourable contrast to China the kingdom of frauds.

many Japanese use booster
many Japanese stores sell booster - last time I sent you links, but you pretend to not see it.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Why does Miwa bother with juniors when she's already All Japan senior and Asian champs runner-up?

probably, her district wants her to play.
she is not just playing for herself, but for her district and there is money involved