Thread about Japanese Players

[Catenaccio]

WTT Champions Frankfurt

MS SF
Sora Matsushima vs Anders Lind 4-2 (6,-6,-12,1,8,2)

MS F
Sora Matsushima vs Dang Qiu 4-1 (8,13,-11,16,9)

WS SF
Miwa Harimoto vs Shin Yubin 4-2 (9,-2,11,4,-10,13)
Hina Hayata vs Mima Ito 4-1 (-7,7,11,10,12)

WS F
Miwa Harimoto vs Hina Hayata 3-4 (4,8,-4,-6,6,-9,9)

Congrats to Hayata and Matsushima on their first Champions titles 🔥

 

[Catenaccio]

When the rankings will be updated on Tuesday, Miwa Harimoto will be #6 (4,000), Mima Ito #8 (3,250), and Hina Hayata #10 (3,100). Sora Matsushima will be #8 (3,080).

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

Sora is the new beast

 

[PhoenixTT]

Sora is the new beast

Yeah. I'd be scared playing against Dang Qiu but Sora 4-1'd him. Very tight scores though.

 

[Tempest/Comet]

From Hayata's IG after Frankfurt win:

Thank you to everyone who came to support us despite the time difference!

I was very happy to win my first WTT title since returning from injury, and at the same time, I felt like all the time I spent facing up to myself was finally rewarded.

Even though my light and shadow were changing at a speed I couldn't control, I was able to fight to the end without giving up, and I am filled with gratitude to everyone on Team Hina who always supports me behind the scenes.

I'm sure I'll face new obstacles in the future, but I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of person I'll become once I overcome them.

I will continue to work hard at my own pace while enjoying the process, so I would appreciate it if you would continue to support me.

Thank you to all the fans for the congratulatory messages!!

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

is this China vs Japan?

 

[driversbeat]

is this China vs Japan?

View attachment 38924

That pretty much sums up top level women's table tennis. I mean did you see the quarterfinal matchups for WTTC 2025? We could possibly throw Shin Yubin and Winter into the mix.

 

[JackJohnson]

is this China vs Japan?

View attachment 38924

With WTT Finals is there no NER limit?

 

[Catenaccio]

With WTT Finals is there no NER limit?

correct

 

[zeio]

That pretty much sums up top level women's table tennis. I mean did you see the quarterfinal matchups for WTTC 2025? We could possibly throw Shin Yubin and Winter into the mix.

JCH rather than Winter. Winter stands little chance against JPN players. I suspect even top THA players can give her a run for her money.

 

[PhoenixTT]

JCH rather than Winter. Winter stands little chance against JPN players. I suspect even top THA players can give her a run for her money.

THA = Thailand?

 

[zeio]

THA = Thailand?

Yes.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/china-smash-2025.37870/post-543335
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/paris-olympic-games-2024.34358/post-471902

 

[Shine]

I agree that peak Hayata is stronger than peak Hashimoto and peak Ito, but that is just one aspect of the overall strength of a player. I would argue that min Hashimoto has been stronger than min Hayata and min Ito in 2025 and this is equally important as the peak aspect imo.

I think people are taking the Hashimoto-philia too much. Granted that she'd shown up and shown out in Contenders and star contenders, She hasn't matched Hayata's performances in the majors. She's still far behind Miwa and Hina in the pecking order. And Ito should be ahead of her if she finds the motivation to grind at every tournament.

 

[5545]

I agree that peak Hayata is stronger than peak Hashimoto and peak Ito, but that is just one aspect of the overall strength of a player. I would argue that min Hashimoto has been stronger than min Hayata and min Ito in 2025 and this is equally important as the peak aspect imo.

Peak Hayata is stronger than Peak Ito?

Curious to hear that rationale considering we have all seen Ito beating the entire Chinese National team in her peak and not loose to a single Non-Chinese player in 2019. If you meant peaks recently this year, a 2025 "washed-up" Ito could still beat WYD quite easily at the majors and win a medal. When was the last time Hayata showed "stronger" performance than that?

Most you can say is Hayata is performing better as of right now than Ito.

 

[Catenaccio]

I think people are taking the Hashimoto-philia too much. Granted that she'd shown up and shown out in Contenders and star contenders, She hasn't matched Hayata's performances in the majors. She's still far behind Miwa and Hina in the pecking order. And Ito should be ahead of her if she finds the motivation to grind at every tournament.

I disagree with you.

People have different opinions and we can agree to disagree. I’ll leave it at that.

 

[Catenaccio]

Peak Hayata is stronger than Peak Ito?

Curious to hear that rationale considering we have all seen Ito beating the entire Chinese National team in her peak and not loose to a single Non-Chinese player in 2019. If you meant peaks recently this year, a 2025 "washed-up" Ito could still beat WYD quite easily at the majors and win a medal. When was the last time Hayata showed "stronger" performance than that?

Most you can say is Hayata is performing better as of right now than Ito.

You bring up a fair point and as I said before, some people might make a case for Ito.

Again, people have different opinions. In any event, 2026 should be interesting.

EDIT: I didn't refer to her peak years in 2019. Instead, I meant peak 2025, but I agree that Ito's best result in 2025 (bronze medal at the World Championships) is more impressive than Hayata's best result in 2025, so I take my statement back.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

2 Japanese took part in Pro A these few days

Kayama Yu won his match
Kotomi Omoda won 2 of her matches, including an 1 hour match against a chopper

100% win record from this trip

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

Wow almost forgot that Mima got bronze by beating WYD in Doha ! ?? How possible ?

And that was 4-1 !!! Strong Mima ! And poor WYD it must have been crushing for her again 2 years after losing Hayata at the same stage

 

[JackJohnson]

2 Japanese took part in Pro A these few days

Kayama Yu won his match
Kotomi Omoda won 2 of her matches, including an 1 hour match against a chopper

100% win record from this trip

Is Kotomi Omoda still playing MLTT this season?

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Is Kotomi Omoda still playing MLTT this season?

yes