What was transparent about the selection of Sato?
Also, even if it was transparent, fair and democratic. That doesn't mean there aren't other ways to be transparent, fair and democratic about it, while also making better decisions.
Meant to write this after Japan Top 12 but got held up by other things. There're also some misconceptions around the selection criteria. So here goes.
As with other tournaments, the
selection criteria for WTTC 2019 had been released a year ahead of time on the official JTTA website, 2018/3/10 to be precise.
For 2019, the criteria are as follows:
１．男女シングルス代表5名の選出方法
(1)2019年１月発表のWR20位以内の日本人最上位選手：(1名)
(2)2019年１月発表のWR100位以内の日本人最上位選手：(1名)※（１）のWR20位以内の日本人最上位選手を除く
(3)国内選考会の優勝者(1名)
(4)平成30年度全日本卓球選手権大会男女各シングルス優勝者(1名)
(5)2018年1月1日～2018年12月31日までの国際大会(アジア競技大会、ワールドカップ、アジアカップ、ワールドツアープラチナ6大会、ワールドツアージャパンオープン、ワールドツアーグランドファイナル)においてシングルスで2回以上優勝した者の中から1名。(1名)※重複した場合は強化本部にて選出
(6)上記(1)〜(5)により選出された人数が、同一選手が重複して選出させるなどして5名に満たない場合は、次の2点を勘案し強化本部にて選出する。
・2018年1月以降の主要国際大会の実績と内容の評価
・国際競争力向上への高い潜在性があると思われる選手の評価
1. Selection method of 5 men and women singles representatives
(1) Top-ranked Japanese player within WR20 announced in January 2019: (1 person)
(2) Top-ranked Japanese player within WR100 announced in January 2019: (1 person) ※ Other than the highest-ranked Japanese player within WR 20 from (1)
(3) Winner of internal trial (1 person)
(4) All-Japan Table Tennis Championships men's and women's singles winners (1 person)
(5) 1 person from among those who win 2 times or more in singles in international competitions(Asian Games, World Cup, Asian Cup, 6 World Tour Platinum tournaments, World Tour Japan Open, World Tour Grand Finals) from January 1 2018 to December 31, 2018. (1 person) ※ In case of duplication, selection to be made by the development headquarter
(6) If the number of candidate selected in the above (1) to (5) is less than 5 due to the same player being selected repeatedly, etc., the development headquarter will select with consideration of the following two points.
・ Evaluation of the results and contents of major international competitions from January 2018
・ Evaluation of players considered to have high potential for improving international competitiveness
Note the ones underlined. The process of selecting Hirano and Sato is transparent because the JTTA has already stated the
scope of evaluation would be the results during 2018. Below is the JTTA's official position behind their selections.
強化本部推薦を受けたのは世界ランク9位の平野と同12位の佐藤。馬場監督は「2018年1月以降の主要国際大会の実績と内容を評価した。（両選手とも）世界30位以内の選手4人に勝利しており、平野選手は日本人で3番目、佐藤選手は4番目に世界ランクが高い」と説明している。さらに平野については「（2017年の）アジアチャンピオンであり、前回、個人戦で行われた世界卓球2017ドイツ女子シングルスで3位になっている。彼女の特長である高速卓球は中国に通用する部分でもある」と話している。また、佐藤に関しても「カットマンで非常に守備範囲が広い。加えて昨年は攻撃力を増すよう努力している」と成長を評価した。
他候補には世界ランク15位の芝田沙季（ミキハウス）と同38位の安藤みなみ（専修大学）も挙がったといい、この2人も「世界ランク30位以内の選手4人に勝利している」と話した。
Same criteria on the women's side as explained by Mika Baba. Hirano and Sato were picked based on international results in 2018. Same as the men's, Hirano had 4 wins over top 30 players and she is 3rd highest in ranking among Japanese players. Sato had 4 wins over top 30 players, and 4th highest in ranking. Baba noted that Hirano's speed works against China and Sato has been working on her attacks since last year. Shibata and Ando both also had 4 wins over top 30 players, but this time Hirano and Sato were picked over them because of ranking.
Also, JTTA has a tradition of announcing the lineup including the wildcards b/w late Jan to early Feb.
WTTC 2019 -
2019/01/29
WTTC 2017 -
2017/01/23
WTTC 2015 -
2015/01/19
WTTC 2013 -
2013/02/04
WTTC 2011 -
2011/02/01
WTTC 2009 -
2009/01/23
Therefore, Hayata had already missed the window by the time she won the Portugal Open in mid Feb. This is why I wrote the following right after, before the Japan Top 12.
That's why Hayata has to earn her spot at all cost. She has what it takes. This is the time to step up. Don't rely on luck and favoritism, or she'll end up like Ishikawa.
Now, one major difference this year is the final trial, which is composed of 2 stages and is part of the Japan Top 12. In the past, round-robin trials were typically held in Dec of the prior year. This time, stage 1 was still held in the same format in Dec, with the added stage 2 in single elimination.
FYI,
Ishikawa, Ito, and Hirano have never won in past trials.
Many argue they should've waited after the trial before announcing the lineup. While I don't know the reason behind the change, but if we go by the same position as the JTTA, it most likely wouldn't make a difference. Even if we count the Portugal Open, Hayata simply didn't beat enough top 30 players and her ranking was much lower.
The situation is rather similar to how ZJK snatched the London Olympics spot from ML after winning the WTTC 2011 and ML went on to achieve a 51-match winning streak. Same rule for everyone who is made known well ahead of time, and ML failed to deliver.
