All Japan Championship 2020 Jan 13-19

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We have another new champ - Uda Yukiya.

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Actually I didn't get why you put a picture of Nagasaki when announcing Uda as champ until I read the tabloid today :eek: Such racy 'old' news -gasps-
 
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says Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
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My All Japan Table Tennis Championships Experience

I was fortunate enough to watch the final day of the All Japan Championships live last Sunday during my vacation to Japan. It my first time watching the pros live and the experience was just incredible. Just wanted to share my thoughts and experience with you guys.

I was late in buying tickets, so I was left with non-reserved seats, which were much farther away from the table. The premier seats were sold out as early as December to Early January! Fortunately, I was still able to get a good view despite arriving a few minutes before the start of the first match. I think what separates my experience watching on the computer from watching live in the arena is the atmosphere. The arena last Sunday was packed and you could tell the fans really enjoyed table tennis. Sometimes, we see on TV replays that the fans in the arena are busy with their phones even while the matches are on-going, but there was none of that last Sunday as the fans were really focused on each match.

Ito vs Hayata
I've seen Ito play better matches, but was glad to still see some of Ito's signature punches. There were some good rallies, but not as many as the other games I watched, so I guess this match was more "tactical." In my opinion, the turning point of the match was Game 5 where Hayata's side called an unconventional timeout. She called a TO at 8-8 after winning the 2 previous points to tie the game. It's rare to call a TO after winning 2 straight points, but this was a good decision as after the TO, Hayata shutdown Ito's next two serves to take a 10-8 lead and eventually won the game.

Ishikawa vs Hashimoto
Despite the match only lasting 5 games, I enjoyed the rallies in this match more than the Ito v Hayata match. With Ishikawa's consistency and Hashimoto's ball-retrieval skills, the rallies were long and exciting with the ongoing suspense of wondering when the point would end. Hashimoto showed some of her good attacks against Ishikawa and they were landing during the first 3 games. Unfortunately, her percentages went down as the match progressed and Ishikawa took control late. If Hashimoto uses weaker but more consistent attacks, Ishikawa is consistent enough to block them back on the table while Hashimoto's stronger attacks are lower percentage and prone to missing. The turning point was game 3 with Ishikawa getting an early 4-0 lead then Hashimoto coming back to make it 10-7 in Hashimoto's favor. Then, it was Ishikawa's turn to come back, and she saved 5 game points to win the game.

Harimoto vs Togami
Amazing match and both players made so many incredible shots that you can literally sense the awe in the crowd. I honestly don't remember the match in detail because there were just too many spectacular shots to take note off. I just consider myself lucky to have witnessed it live. This match seems to be the first time I can remember where Harimoto successfully overcomes a 1-3 game deficit, so this is definitely a growing moment for him despite the close scoreline.

Uda vs Yoshida
After two 7-game matches and one attack vs defense match, the program was behind schedule. It was nearly 2pm and I hadn't eaten yet. Unfortunately, my stomach caved and I decided to use this match as my lunch break. I'm glad Uda won though as I was looking forward to another battle between the Japanese Juniors for the Final.

Hayata vs Ishikawa
Hayata was in the zone this match and made a lot of winners. The crowd was in awe with the speed and power of her shots that even Ishikawa supporters couldn't help but applaud. An interesting thing I noticed in this match was that Ishikawa won more points with her BH than her FH, which can't happen in order to beat Hayata. Hayata is better in the BH-BH exchange and while Ishikawa won some of those points, Hayata won more. I think Ishikawa was forced to use her BH because her FH just wasn't on target this match. A lot of her FH shots went out. If Ishikawa went with a less powerful but more consistent FH attack, Hayata would just counter with a more powerful forehand, so I can understand why Ishikawa tried riskier FH shots. Hayata's emotional celebration really touched me, and after following her progress in the past years, I can understand why this win was so important for her given so many "almost" moments.

Harimoto vs Uda
Similar to the Harimoto vs Togami match, there were so many incredible rallies. What I learned from this match and the previous Harimoto match was how much Japan loves Harimoto. When Harimoto was trailing and when he was down match points, there would always be someone in the crowd shouting "Harimoto!" to give him encouragement in difficult times during his game. The crowd was never disrespectful towards Harimoto's opponent and applauded when his opponent made good shots, but with Mizutani retiring from the All Japan Championships, Harimoto is looking like the next Japanese "fan-favorite." The crowd helped Harimoto save 2 match points and I'm sure they'll be providing a tremendous boost again come Olympic time. However, Uda played fantastic this time and deserved the victory.

Final Thoughts
Watching the All Japan Championships Live was the highlight of my trip to Japan, as it was something I've never experienced before. The crowd, the players, the shots, and the atmosphere were all surreal. On top of that, I'm very pleased with the results. Some may express concern that the winner on both the men's and women's side are not Olympians, but I don't see it as a problem. The Olympians who lost still have 6 months to improve and these losses are just something to learn from. The winners, in Hayata and Uda, are both teenagers who have bright futures ahead of them. Winning the nationals just gives them more opportunities to improve and gain experience as they'll be selected more for more major international competitions like the WTTTC this March. This will be instrumental in preparing them for the next Olympic cycle.

Some Random Photos (Log-in to see enlarged photos)

There was a Nippon Life booth outside the stadium where fans could write any message. Spot my message in ugly handwriting on the top right. It's the only message in English haha. It says: "All the best Miu and Hina from your TTD fans." All Japan Table Tennis Championships - 1.jpg

Went to the Zen-Noh Booth too and got myself some Ishikawa rice porridge. ;)
All Japan Table Tennis Championships - 2.jpg

The stadium was already packed before the start of the game. Those empty seats are those who went to the bathroom or got a meal during the break between the Uda v. Yoshida match and the Hayata v. Ishikawa match. Unfortunately, some of the reserved seats were never filled meaning some people bought tickets but were no shows. Those could have gone to some of us at the back. :(
All Japan Table Tennis Championships - 3.jpg

Hard for your eyes not to tear up when Hayata herself is emotional. She couldn't close out some opportunities last year. She got the result she needed one year late, but it's better late than never.
All Japan Table Tennis Championships - 7.jpg

Hayata never faces our side of the Arena when holding the trophy so had to be content with taking a picture of the big screen. :D
All Japan Table Tennis Championships - 9.jpg
 
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Many thanks !
(And I will reprimand Hina Hayatа today ... On her Facebook fan page ..... So that in the future she would pay attention to all the stands ...:eek:
True, I'm not sure what she will read .. But maybe her mother will read ...):eek:
 
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says Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
says Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
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It's a tactical defeat for Ito this time. She was outgunned. Ito admitted as much. She's glad it didn't end 0-4. OTOH, she has gotten better at stamina management after the last 2 times. She's tired but she still has strength to "move" her head.

Hayata said she used to hit diagonal shots all the time. In order to get into rallies, she essentially took a page from the age-old tactic by drawing Ito to the FH before finishing the next shot to her BH.

Ito got used to Hayata's pace after 2-2, but still it was difficult to get 1 point, as if she was playing a CNT player as she kept changing her serves and receives.

https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2020/01/19/kiji/20200119s00026000131000c.html
...また「優勝以外は負け。負けて良かったとは思わないけど、負けたからこそ頑張れる。1ゲーム目は楽しくなかったけど、2―2になってからは私自身しっかり考えられて楽しかった。0―4で終わらなくて良かった」と試合を振り返り...

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20200120-00000031-dal-spo
 それでも、偉業を目指した3年間の過程は大舞台へつながっている。3種目に出場して1日3、4試合を戦う全日本選手権。一昨年、昨年は終盤に疲労困ぱいだったが、補食や仮眠など工夫を重ねた3年目は「体力はまだもっている」とうなずく。「疲労はたまっているけど、頭が動かせるようになってきた。すごい練習になった」。団体戦を含む3種目に出場する東京五輪への、大きな収穫だ。

https://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20200120/tab20012005040001-n1.html
...最終第7ゲーム6-4で、フォアサイドのボールをストレートに打ち返すと、伊藤は一歩も動けなかった。

 「以前ならクロスにしか打てなかったボール。思い切って打てたし、そこから伊藤選手にも焦りが出た」。ベストショットだと振り返った。

https://www.mizuno.jp/tabletennis/news/zennihon/3-39.html
以前は攻撃に意識が偏り、強打の威力はあってもラリーで体勢を崩しやすかった早田だが、伊藤戦では冷静にラリーを組み立てた。変化のある伊藤のバックではなく、フォアサイドにボールを集め、連打で台から離して空いたバックを攻める。
「実力はほとんど出しているので、実力負けだなと思います。早田さんが戦術も工夫してきていた。ラリーに持ってきたり、一発があるので、私自身が対応しきれなかった」と試合後の伊藤。小柄な伊藤はフォアサイドを厳しく攻められると、どうしてもラリー展開が苦しくなる。そして以前なら決まっていたボールがもう1本多く返ってくる。それは早田の成長の証明だった。
...
 「2−2になってから早田さんのスピードにも慣れてきたけど、本当に1点を取るのが大変だった。毎試合毎試合、サービスもレシーブの仕方も変えてくる選手なので、中国選手とやっている感じになります。今後は練習するのみですね。たくさん試合をやったので今日はしっかり休みます。3種目出させてもらって、それはしっかり練習になっている。オリンピックにも、3種目出たこの経験は生かされると思います」
 
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says Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
says Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
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As for my idol, she has this to say. She had a hard time playing lefties like herself and struggled reading Hayata's serves from start to end.

https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202001190000887.html
ラリーになると大型の早田に分がある。サーブに苦戦し、有効的なレシーブを返せなかった石川は、最後までペースを握れなかった。「サーブの回転が最後まで読めず、レシーブがうまくいかなかった。左利きの相手は苦手」と敗因を語った。ただ決勝まで駒を進め「昨年より成長できた。五輪に向け、あらゆる戦型にも勝てるようにしていきたい」と話した。

https://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20200119/tab20011920580015-n1.html
同じ左利きの相手に「右利きに比べて得点パターンがすごく少ないと感じた。ずっと向こうのペースだった」と悔しさをにじませた。

 1本ずつ回転数が違うサーブに翻弄され、得意な強打を打ち込まれた。「強く攻められて自分も変えていけなかった。練習して勝てるようにしたい」と厳しい表情だった。
 
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Who's name will be bigger in 10 years, Hina Hayata or Tomkkazu Harimoto?

I will not venture to guess .... This is difficult ... I just hope that Mima Ito will not repeat the fate of Gu Ye .....
And that Harimoto will not burn ahead of time ... The loads are too great for his current age - emotional stress, responsibility ....
 
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