Hayata is completely off in the afternoon session. Can tell from her heavy footwork. FH suffers so much. Just like how she lost to FTW at WTT Star Contender Doha.
Stamina problem, that she also acknowledges in a recent interview?
Ishida not calling TO in G3 is puzzling, losing 4 in a row after 9:7. Same scenario in G1 where she blew her lead as well. Too many side-topspin serves.
https://hochi.news/articles/20211118-OHT1T51206.html?page=1
「結果的に無敗で終わることができて、まずは良かった。今回は現地にお母さんに来てもらって、試合だけに集中できる環境をつくってもらえました。食が細いので、試合になると緊張もあって、うどん一人前も食べられないぐらい。大会中にどんどん痩せてしまっていたけど、献立や食べやすいものを考えてもらって、試合の合間におにぎり2個にうどんとか結構食べることができた。体力切れをしなかったことが5冠の要因になったと思います」
これまで故障に悩まされてきた経験も踏まえ、五輪後から体に負担のかからない打ち方も模索してきた。
「体のどこに力を入れたら負担が少なくなるかを考えて、フォームもちょっと変えました。慣れるのに時間はかかったけど、いつもは大会中にテーピングの量が増えていったのが、今回は湿布を1回貼っただけ。全部の試合が終わった翌日にトレーニングをやっているぐらい体が元気でした。自分が一番びっくりしているけど、卓球が変わったと感じることができました」
アジア選手権は同時期に全中国運動会が行われていたため、中国選手は不参加だった。世界選手権で対戦が実現すれば、昨年1月のドイツOP以来となる。
「自分の全体的なレベルは上がったので、以前より勝つチャンスはあるんじゃないかと思います。ただ、全中国運動会の動画を見ていて、今回うまくいったことも、同じようにさせてもらえるだろうかと考えさせられました。中国は世界チャンピオンになれる選手ばかり。そこを倒していかないといけないので、もっともっと、という気持ちを忘れずに練習しています」
世界選手権は女子では唯一、3種目に出場する。
「日本代表として3種目に選んでいただいたことがうれしいし、それぞれ楽しみがあるので、しっかり全種目でメダルを取って帰ってきたい。今はいろんなことにチャレンジして、結果が出ている中で世界選手権を迎えられるワクワクがあります。全日本、アジア選手権と優勝できたので、次に目指すは世界選手権と五輪。まずは1回戦から全力をしっかり出して、1つ1つクリアしていきたい」
親友の伊藤と世界選手権では約2年半ぶりに組む女子ダブルスへの思いも強い。17年に銅、19年は銀メダルを獲得。日本人ペアで54年ぶりの金メダルへの期待が高い種目だ。
「美誠と組むと、卓球の楽しさを知ることができます。世界に自分が通用するんだと思い始めたのも、ダブルスを組んでから。本当に感謝しかないですし、そのためにもしっかり2人で金メダルを取れるように頑張りたいなって思います」
"In terms of result, it's great that I was able to finish undefeated. This time, I had my mother tag along to create an environment where I could concentrate on the matches. Because I ate little, I got nervous when playing matches, and I couldn't even eat a serving of udon. I was getting thinner and thinner during the tournament, but I was able to eat 2 rice balls and udon between matches by coming up with menus and easy-to-eat foods. I think the fact that my stamina didn't run low was the reason behind the 5 crowns."
Based on the experience of suffering from breakdowns so far, she has been searching for a way of hitting that does not burden the body after the Olympics.
"Thinking about what part of the body to generate force would reduce the burden, I changed the form a little. It took me some time to get used to it, but the amount of taping usually increased during the tournament, yet this time I just put on one. I was so healthy that I was training the day after all the matches were over. I was most surprised, but I could feel that my table tennis had changed. "
The ATTC and National Games of China were held at the same time, so Chinese players did not participate. If an encounter happens at the WTTC, it will be the first time since the German Open in January last year.
"I think my overall level has improved, so I think I have a better chance of winning than before. However, watching the video of the National Games of China, I wondered if I could do the same for what went well this time. China has only players who can become World Champions. Since I have to defeat them, I am practicing without forgetting the feeling of working harder."
Hayata is the only woman to participate in 3 events at this WTTC.
"I'm glad to be chosen as a representative of Japan for 3 events, and I'm looking forward to each of them, so I'd like to get medals for all the events and come home. I am excited to welcome the World Championship in the process of challening various things and getting results. I was able to win the All-Japan and ATTC, so my next goal is the WTTC and the Olympics. First of all, I want to do my best from the first round and clear each stage one by one."
I have a strong feeling for the women's doubles that I will pair with my best friend Ito for the first time in about 2.5 years at the WTTC, winning a bronze medal in 2017 and a silver medal in 2019. It is an event with high expectations for a gold medal for the first time in 54 years with a Japanese pair.
"When I team up with Mima, I can understand the fun of table tennis. It was after I teamed up in doubles that I started to think that I'm world-class. I'm truly grateful, and I want to do my best to win the gold medal with her."