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Australian Open 2019 [Platinum]
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Hi, Nemo. Posted my thoughts on the Japanese Men's Olympic selection on the "Japan Women's Race to 2020 Olympic Singles" thread. Didn't want to derail this thread regarding the Australian Open and the Japanese Men's Olympic Selection process will inevitably affect that Japanese Women's team as well.
Here's the link:
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...pan-Women-s-Race-to-Tokyo-2020-Singles/page15
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Watched ML play and if he's 100 % fit both mentally and physically the reality is that he's lost a lot in his lateral movement. He loses many points out on his wide fh (yes even more than before 
), and vs players he would've destroyed 4-0 three years ago bring him troubles today. Surely he's aging like we all are but the contrast is really there. He's not the same, and I don't think he'll win in Tokyo. So who's gonna win in Tokyo?
), and vs players he would've destroyed 4-0 three years ago bring him troubles today. Surely he's aging like we all are but the contrast is really there. He's not the same, and I don't think he'll win in Tokyo. So who's gonna win in Tokyo?
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You actually have to wait a few decades before you can arrive a this conclusion. It's rare for a 16 year old to be a this level already. He's still developing (in many ways), and the simple fact that young players have to adapt to getting taller and heavier (which happens in spurts) more or less all the time exacerbates the normal, but often already quite stark, shape and form fluctuations all players have.
Give it time. See what he's like at 30 first.
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Watched ML play and if he's 100 % fit both mentally and physically the reality is that he's lost a lot in his lateral movement. He loses many points out on his wide fh (yes even more than before
That's a year out, which is a very very long time.
At this point I'm not even that certain that Tokyo 2020 will even happen. We lack the geopolitical stability that such confidence in a stable future requires, and we're trending downwards, not upwards there.
That being said, a year is a very long time indeed. Pigs may fly and ZJK might rediscover his hunger. The Korean contingent may find inner peace and rise two levels. Xu Xins reinvention of himself may continue. Timo Boll might make his final stance. Who knows?
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very talented + very ambitious +very young +very high expectations of him =burnout. He just needs a little bit more time to get more emotional strength IMHO.
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Yes a year is a long time, but in this case that's only something negative for ML. Unless he's taking 6 months off again to recuperate any injuries and rest up fully and return 1-2 months before Tokyo I don't see him defending his gold in Rio.
Are you referring to these issues in Japan: https://punchng.com/five-challenges-facing-japan/
I wonder what is required for Xu Xin to get the second singles spot in Tokyo.
Are you referring to these issues in Japan: https://punchng.com/five-challenges-facing-japan/
I wonder what is required for Xu Xin to get the second singles spot in Tokyo.
just because ML per your observation has lost a step or two does not mean he will not win gold. You have to provide a more likely winner to make your point
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Losing a step or two is pretty significant for a CNT athlete. I think if selected, Xu Xin has a very good chance of beating ML. He's no longer the clown that LGL thought he was in the past. His BH is now a weapon instead of a liability, and of course he's always had great forehand power. He's going to be extremely motivated having never tasted singles at an Olympics. He's 29 now and will be 30 at 2020 Tokyo Olympics so this very will could be his last chance.
point well taken, XX did well in the last tournament...unless he does the same and beat ML again a few more times, I would not consider him a favourite over ML so this is all speculation, not concrete results
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very talented + very ambitious +very young +very high expectations of him =burnout. He just needs a little bit more time to get more emotional strength IMHO.
I feel like we might be making up excuses for HT.
By this logic, FZD should be in a perpetual state of burnout, since he had an international presence at a young age too. Just think about how long he's been in the top 3 on world ranking.
Even if Harimoto is the only hope of team Japan, it's ok (or maybe even expected) for him to lose to China. FZD was being groomed by CNT, he is expected to not lose to anyone. Even with the recent losses, HT is still firmly the top Japanese player. If FZD doesn't perform well consistently, there are other good players waiting to take his spot.
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Harimoto and Lin Yun Ju are still excellent players, one or two losses or even three losses notwithstanding. I think the drop in ranking will at least make Harimoto more comfortable.
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I really hope HT fixes his forehand stroke. His BH is great, but his FH is a liability. If he doesn't fix it, it will become an even greater liability in the future.
Just look at the beautiful FH strokes of Lin Yun-Ju and WCQ, so quick, powerful, and consistent. They really put Harimoto's desperate FH slaps to shame.
But the chance of Harimoto fixing his FH is not great at this point. Most players have solidified their FH strokes by the age of 13 or 14. Ma Long was already using the same FH strokes when he was 14.
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I remember FZD when he was 15 at polish open, he won final against Zhou Yu. I was there and I saw how much power and consistence he has. Everybody thought he is going to beat everyone everytime in few years. Time passed and he is less consistent then 2-3years ago.
Same situation can happen to harimoto, but still he is the best japanese player nowadays.
IMO Japan should concentrate now how to achieve 2 bronze medals in singles and 2 silver medals in teams. Which is not that obvious.
Timo Boll some years ago was considered to take gold in olympics but he has not even bronze in singles.
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He did lack FH power and maybe still does, but to me that FH looked pretty much like work in progress for most of this year. In transition, under comstruction. For better or for worse, it doesn’t look solidified just yet, while TH has undergone substantial physical development. I’m not ready to write him off as of yet.
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Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
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Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
Harimoto has been working on his FH since his sounding defeat to LJK in Korea Open 2018. The problem right now is not his stroke. It has to do with his stance and footwork. I'll probably post a video and write more on this after this Australian Open.
So busy catching up on these interviews.
So busy catching up on these interviews.
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I have written about this on mytt as well. His stance is way too backhand oriented and he needs to get stronger so he can hit good backhands and forehands from an open position.
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