Hayata feels she dragged down the WD pair as the senpai and wonders what would've happened if they took the match and wants to reflect on that properly. (Sigh, she is starting to sound like Ishikawa. Reflect on what happened, yet the same pattern next time.)
Harimoto says she was afarid of being a nuisance to the team if she lost both singles. It's said
Kaufmann hardly practiced if at all as she took the university entrance exam "Abi".
Hayata/Harimoto practiced for 2 days including the day of the final.
Former head coach of women's JNT, Murakami points out the decisive difference between Japan and China - the ability of the latter to keep the ball on the table which originates in a strong defense, and not hit low percentage shots at 9:9 or 10:10. Of the 3 members, he picks Hirano as the MVP.
【卓球女子】日本は2大会連続銀メダル 早田ひな「あそこが取れていたら...」張本美和との急造ダブルスで激闘も敗戦 中国が大会5連覇
https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/sports/1ff9afc1915846eb859caf8c3f2cb881
張本美和、２試合目こそ落とすも、４試合目はドイツ圧倒「勝ててホッとしている。２試合とも負けて迷惑かけるのではないかと思っていた」／卓球
https://www.sanspo.com/article/20240809-CSPB6GHJTVOU3NBQPKVSK6OM7Y/?outputType=theme_paris2024
【パリ五輪卓球】日本女子、決勝進出！ 張本美和、1点落とすも最後は11−0
https://world-tt.com/blog/news/archives/202938
卓球・張本美和「負けた以上は差はある」が「努力を続ければ、必ず超えられる」初五輪で中国超えに手応え…担当記者が見た
https://hochi.news/articles/20240811-OHT1T51300.html?page=1
張本美和16歳の表情が…団体決勝で“ある異変”「中国を五輪で初めて本気にさせた」それでも高い王者の壁…元代表監督が現地で見た“決定的な差”
https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/862624?page=3
https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/862624
The "decisive difference" between Japan and China
--While Japan's good performance was noticeable, China's strength and tenacity in the "clutch" moments were astonishing. What is the difference between Japan and China that determined the outcome?
Murakami: The most important point is defensive strength. CNT players have the defensive strength to not let the ball slip past them even if under attack.
And it is because of their defensive strength that they do not hit difficult balls in situations where the score is 9-9 or 10-10. Even if the opponent takes the initiative, they patiently return the ball. JNT players go for the win as soon as the opponent's return is even the slightest bit weak. That is the big difference.
――I feel that Chinese players have strong mental strength when they are on the brink, but is it more about technique than mental strength?
Murakami: People often say that it's a "mental difference," but there is no way to train only mental strength. You can only get better mentally if you surpass them in tactics and technique.
First, train your defense and return the ball properly in any situation. I think that carrying that out is the most important thing. The other thing is to increase your tactical repertoire. For example,
CNT players often serve in the final stages of a match in ways which they have been saving up until then, to induce mistakes in the receiving. Japanese players will also need to increase their hand.
The MVP is not Hayata Hina or Harimoto Miwa...
――I think it was great that the team made it to the final against China, despite the accident of Hayata's left hand injury. They ended up with the silver medal, but they looked very happy at the award ceremony. Why did they become such a united team?
Murakami: Hayata Hina, Hirano Miu, Harimoto Miwa, and reserve Kihara Miyu. Of course, they did a good job, but I think it's not just these four, but also the characteristics of the table tennis world that play a big role. They have team matches from elementary school, and learned to fight as a team, and have built up that knowledge through junior high school, high school, the Intercollegiate Championships, and the T-League. Everyone has known about team matches since they were old enough to understand. There is a sense of security that "no matter who becomes the representative, it will be fine."
--If you had to pick one player as the MVP of the team matches, which one would it be?
Murakami: It would be Hirano, who played the most matches in doubles and singles. She was really good in this tournament, and she played her role well according to the order. Hirano and Hayata are now 24 years old, but in today's sports world, with advances in scientific training and nutritional management, even in their late 20s, they will not fall from their physical peak. If we can just raise our motivation, I think we can still close the gap with China.
