2025 All Japan (Emperor's/Empress's Cup) 1/21-1/26

[NextLevel]

How do they say "beatdown" in Japanese?

 

[NextLevel]

I wonder what they will say now? Or they will just bury the tombstone instead?

Nah. The tombstone is important to their agenda. They don't realize everything is day to day.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Congratulations Hina Hayata! The queen is back! May this title propel her to even greater victories.

 

[zeio]

Kato: I should not have retired this early.

 

[NextLevel]

Kato: I should not have retired this early.

Haters gonna hate...

 

[driversbeat]

Have to give it to her, I expected an early exit and Harimoto win but Hayata surpasses Ito's record of 3 championships + 2 consecutive championship (2018-2019, 2022) with her own 4th championship and 3rd consecutive win (2020, 2023-2025).

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

How do they say "beatdown" in Japanese?

Literally, no one else in the world does this to Miwa to this degree. She's gotta have a detailed mental notebook of all of Miwa's patterns and weaknesses. And to do this recovering from a major injury just adds to Hina's legend.

 

[zeio]

I hope all the people digging Hayata's tombstone can at least see that a lot of patience is warranted.

She is the one that keeps mentioning it in multiple interviews. 6 months is a long time while she is relatively inactive and she has a history getting injured when it really matters. The real test will be starting next week. The intensity in this Zennihon Takkyu is way lower compared to past editions and the bracket is unbalanced where Hayata gets opponents against whom she has a better H2H.

Remember how Ito also won Zennihon Takkyu 2022 before her sudden decline.

 

[zeio]

Haters gonna hate...

Remember who kept mentioning how Hayata lost to Kato in the WTTC 2019 selection trial.

Also keep in mind the fact that Kato mentioned her focus was on Hirano rather than Hayata ahead of WTTC 2023.

 

[NextLevel]

She is the one that keeps mentioning it in multiple interviews. 6 months is a long time while she is relatively inactive and she has a history getting injured when it really matters. The real test will be starting next week. The intensity in this Zennihon Takkyu is way lower compared to past editions and the bracket is unbalanced where Hayata gets opponents against which she has a better H2H.

Remember how Ito also won Zennihon Takkyu 2022 before her sudden decline.

Yeah but did Ito beat all her major opponents 4-0? My memory is not always the best about these things...

That said, Ito is still a top Japanese player. Let's show some patience with Hayata and not rush to end her career and trust every pessimistic thing she says about her condition which she probably says to remind herself to be careful.

 

[NextLevel]

Remember who kept mentioning how Hayata lost to Kato in the WTTC 2019 selection trial.

Also keep in mind the fact that Kato mentioned her focus was on Hirano rather than Hayata ahead of WTTC 2023.

No, who kept remembering, you? Is anyone other than you bringing up Kato in context of Hayata's current success?

 

[driversbeat]

Yeah but did Ito beat all her major opponents 4-0? My memory is not always the best about these things...

That said, Ito is still a top Japanese player. Let's show some patience with Hayata and not rush to end her career and trust every pessimistic thing she says about her condition which she probably says to remind herself to be careful.

Ito had it relatively easy in 2022. Only notable opponent was Shibata in R5 (4-0). Received a walkover against Kihara in semis as opposed to Hayata who 4-3ed Kato in the other half.

 

[Oliverpool]

She is the one that keeps mentioning it in multiple interviews. 6 months is a long time while she is relatively inactive and she has a history getting injured when it really matters. The real test will be starting next week. The intensity in this Zennihon Takkyu is way lower compared to past editions and the bracket is unbalanced where Hayata gets opponents against whom she has a better H2H.

Remember how Ito also won Zennihon Takkyu 2022 before her sudden decline.

I somewhat agree that Hayata has a very good plan A all out attack but almost no plan B. But it seems like after this latest injury, she has managed to slow down a game somewhat at critical moments but still retain that aggressive attacking threat. Hopefully she can keep this change of pace when needed in the future

 

[zeio]

Congratulations to Matsushima for qualifying for WTTC 2025. The catch? The selection trial takes precedence over Zennihon Takkyu 2025.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Congratulations to Sora Matsushima! This young man is like a freight train when he gets going.

 

[NextLevel]

Congratulations to Matsushima for qualifying for WTTC 2025. The catch? The selection trial takes precedence over Zennihon Takkyu 2025.

He did his job. Kenji Matsudaira will be encouraged to do his lol.

 

[zeio]

I somewhat agree that Hayata has a very good plan A all out attack but almost no plan B. But it seems like after this latest injury, she has managed to slow down a game somewhat at critical moments but still retain that aggressive attacking threat. Hopefully she can keep this change of pace when needed in the future

She mentions that in one of the latest interviews.

Though I'm afraid it is too late now. I've always said Smart Hayata is the way to go after WTTC 2022 but now she is only doing it out of fear of getting injured again (and ending her career for real). Her top gear is no longer there when she needs it and she will definitely need it against the CNT. But props to her personal trainer and current coach 岡雄介/OKA Yusuke for the real change.

 

[dingyibvs]

Damn, Sora looking like WCQ there against Harimoto with his big lefty FHs off the bounce.

 

[NextLevel]

Damn, Sora looking like WCQ there against Harimoto with his big lefty FHs off the bounce.

I can imagine them studying WCQ game plan for ideas. I also think having coaches favors Sora.

 

[FIXPOINT]

All Japan Table Tennis Championships 2025 WS Final

Japanese version​