JTTA: Selection System to be Revamped for Paris 2024

[apacible]

Even MS and WS matches are played to best of 5 now?

Stage 1 (Qualifications) Round 1-3 are Best of 5
Stage 2 (Main Draw) Round 4 or R64 till the Finals are Best of 7. This starts on Friday 26 January 2024.

See item (10) in the playing system for All Japan 2024 https://jtta.s3.ap-northeast-1.amaz...2023/12/12120402/2024zennihon_youkou_1212.pdf

This system is the same as in previous editions of All Japan.

"各種目ともトーナメント方式による。男女シングルスの第 1 ステージは 11 ポイント 5 ゲームマッチ、第 2 ステージ（ベスト 32 決定戦以降）は 11 ポイント 7 ゲームマッチ、他の種目はすべて 11 ポイント 5 ゲームマッチで行なう。
Each event will be held in a tournament format. The first stage for men's and women's singles will be an 11-point, 5-game match, the second stage will be an 11-point, 7-game match, and all other events (Junior events and Doubles) will be an 11-point, 5-game match."

 

[zeio]

Even MS and WS matches are played to best of 5 now?

Has been that way for a long time.

Bo5 for MS/WS before main draw (R64), MD/WD/XD and JBS/JGS throughout.
Bo7 for MS/WS from main draw onward.

 

[zeio]

To be fair to Moe Nomura, she's can't be taken lightly either as she has shown the ability to win matches against quality players. In T.League this season she beat Fan Siqi and Sato. Last season in T.League, she beat a series of lower Chinese players such as Wei Wensheng, Li Jiayi, and Jiang Hui. She also beat Doo Hoi Kem, Cheng I-Ching, Kihara, and Mori.

Interesting that you pointed out the curse of winning 4 U15 Titles in the WYC in 2023 for Yuna, who failed to make it past the qualification rounds in All Japan 2024. Miwa Harimoto also won 4 U15 Titles in the WYC in 2021 before losing to Miku Izumo (also dangerous) in the qualification rounds in All Japan 2022. Fun fact, just like Yuna Ojio who would have faced Ito in the R64 of All Japan 2024 had she won, had Miwa made it past qualifications in 2022, she also would have faced Ito in the R64.

And Yuna had arguably better WS results than Miwa before 2023. She was just 1 game away from reaching WS R5/R32 in 2022 (3-1 -> 3-4 TAKAHASHI Azumi). OTOH, Harimoto never reached the barrier of WS R4/R64, having only reached WS R3/R128 only once and on her first try, and has had the privilege of starting from WS R5/R32 since 2023.

Hirano was also just 1 game away from reaching WS R5/R32 in 2014 (2-3 -> 3-4 SO Eka). Hayata actually reached WS R4/R64 on her first try in 2014 (0-4 Fukuhara). Ito had surprisingly never reached WS R4/R64 before and had reached WS R3/R128 only once.

Harimoto's track record
https://www.japantabletennis.com/AJ/result2023/viewList.cgi?name=%C4%A5%CB%DC%20%C8%FE%CF%C2
Yuna's
https://www.japantabletennis.com/AJ/result2023/viewList.cgi?name=%BE%AE%B1%F6%20%CD%AA%BA%DA

Hirano's
https://www.japantabletennis.com/AJ/result2023/viewList.cgi?name=%CA%BF%CC%EE%20%C8%FE%B1%A7
Hayata's
https://www.japantabletennis.com/AJ/result2023/viewList.cgi?name=%C1%E1%C5%C4%20%A4%D2%A4%CA
Ito's
https://www.japantabletennis.com/AJ/result2023/viewList.cgi?name=%B0%CB%C6%A3%20%C8%FE%C0%BF

 

[KiwiPong]

It’s good to see Zeio here! Need him to update us on all the All Japan information

 

[FIXPOINT]

 

[FIXPOINT]

 

[mikeytt]

View attachment 28178

Kenji vs Kenta! That will be fun

Hoping for a 3rd title for Togami

 

[NextLevel]

It’s good to see Zeio here! Need him to update us on all the All Japan information

Very unlikely he will be posting anything at mytt anytime soon. So enjoy!

 

[zeio]

WD R5
Aso/Sasao 2-0 -> 3-2 Harimoto/Hirano
G1 13, 68, 88, 119? 1210
G2 107, 1010, 1210
Hirano has been doing very well from WD R4 (must've spent a lot of time), while Harimoto is dropping tons of points here (slow to start and can't keep up in pace).
G3 18, 28, 211
G4 02, 12, 13, 23, 25, 45, 47, 57, 58, 78 TO for Harimoto/Hirano, 711
Harimoto misses so much on either FH/BH. Aso/Sasao are aiming for her. Will Hirano be fine in WS having to step up and push this hard so early?
G5 10, 12, 22, 23, 33, 34, 44, 45, 65, 66 Sasao served into the net, 68, 88, 810, 1210
It's appalling to see Hirano keep the point in play off the table (by flying around) while Harimoto failed.
Harimoto played like crap.
Like Ishikawa/Hirano, this pair doesn't work either.

 

[fore.n.back]

Matsushima/Oikawa 3-1 Togami/Uda, well guess who won't be coming to Paris, Uda still drop points with his backhand, Togami occasionally miss in short play. They might want to dissolve this pair for good.

 

[driversbeat]

WD R5
Aso/Sasao 2-0 -> 3-2 Harimoto/Hirano
G1 13, 68, 88, 119?
G2 107, 1010, 1210
Hirano has been doing very well from WD R4 (must've spent a lot of time), while Harimoto is dropping tons of points here (slow to start and can't keep up in pace).
G3 18, 28, 211
G4 02, 12, 13, 23, 25, 45, 47, 57, 58, 78 TO for Harimoto/Hirano, 711
Harimoto misses so much on either FH/BH. Aso/Sasao are aiming for her. Will Hirano be fine in WS having to step up and push this hard so early?
G5 10, 12, 22, 23, 33, 34, 44, 45, 65, 66 Sasao served into the net, 68, 88, 810, 1210
It's appalling to see Hirano keep the point in play off the table (by flying around) while Harimoto failed.
Harimoto played like crap.
Like Ishikawa/Hirano, this pair doesn't work either.

But if Hirano and Miwa go to the olympics, this is the pair that Japan will most likely open their team matches with.

 

[NextLevel]

But if Hirano and Miwa go to the olympics, this is the pair that Japan will most likely open their team matches with.

While Hayata deserves her number one seeding, it would be a stronger team if she played doubles with Harimoto and left Hirano in singles. A doubles team without a lefty is a bit expensive.

 

[zeio]

Hirano does what Ito doesn't and bears the blame.

Last time Togami/Uda representing for Meiji University together. Both players thank the other while thinking about their future affiliations.

波乱！ 張本美和／平野美宇、マッチポイントを奪いながら5回戦で敗れる
https://world-tt.com/blog/news/archives/152715

女子ダブルス5回戦、有力な優勝候補だった張本美和／平野美宇（木下アカデミー／木下グループ）が、麻生麗名／笹尾明日香（日本生命）にゲームオール10−12で敗れる波乱！

試合後の記者会見で平野は、「最後はどんどん調子が上がってきたけど、1・2ゲーム目の出足が遅れて0−2のスタートになってしまった。ペア歴が浅いこともあって、最初からエンジンをかけられなかったことが最後の負けにつながってしまった」とコメント。麻生／笹尾はラリー戦で粘り強く相手コートにボールを運び、張本／平野のミスを誘った。

...

「2−0で負けていたところから、簡単に負けずに最後あそこまでいけたのは戦術転換だったり、あきらめない気持ちがあったから。そこは少し良かった部分だと思います。まだ今後の予定は決まっていないけど、もし組む機会があったら、今日の負けを糧にして良いペアになれるよう頑張っていきたい」（平野）

...

男子ダブルス5回戦では、前々回の男子ダブルス優勝ペア、宇田幸矢／戸上隼輔（明治大）が前回2位の及川瑞基／松島輝空（木下グループ／木下アカデミー）に1−3で苦杯。及川／松島は試合中に松島が鼻血を出すアクシデントがあったものの、ラリーでの精度とコース取りで宇田／戸上を上回った。

試合後、宇田は「前回と同じラウンドで、同じ対戦相手と同じような結果になってしまった。向こうは最初からやることが決まっていたけど、僕たちは2・3ゲーム目でやることが決まってきたので、向こうのほうが先手・先手だった」とコメント。

ともに明治大の4年生、大学生として全日本でペアを組むのはこれが最後になるが、宇田は「全日本のダブルスで優勝した時もシングルスは負けてしまったり、うまくいかない中でダブルスは救いだった。戸上とたくさん組んでもらって、世界選手権に出たり、タイトルをとったりできて感謝しています」と語った。

パートナーの戸上は「お互い4月以降は所属先が変わってどうなるかわからないけど、大学最後に優勝を目指してがんばっていたので、それが実らずに残念」と語った。ジュニアの時から国際大会でも組ませてもらって、互いに切磋琢磨してきた存在。宇田のおかげで成長できた部分もあるので頼りがいのある存在でした」（戸上）。

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

giving up going to All-Japan. i can't go tomorrow, Sunday i have a competition. Saturday ? but i doubt it

 

[zeio]

Harimoto says he is aiming for 2 titles here, that anything else for singles is equal to R64. He also comments on Miwa's JGS title, WTT CT Doha 2024, his technique (something was different), and the Olympics.

He says it would've been more beneficial for Miwa to win under pressure instead. He decided to play in CT Doha for the WR points because of the Olympics and felt he and Togami made the right decision. He adds that both of them won't be able to give 100% here but despite that he still wants to play with the confidence of winning here.

On the technical aspect after the WTT event, he says he has reduced blocking and could at least counter, so he feels more confident about his game. In response to the improvement, he has to work on the tactics and how to maintain his mindset when leading. He has been able to maintain his weight after dropping 5kg. His muscle mass and body fat percentage have also stabilized. Slowly but surely, he feels he is getting things done, countering shots that he used to block so far and hitting faraway shots.

張本智和「2位以下なら初戦敗退と同じ」。WTTで得た手応えで6年ぶり優勝を誓う
https://world-tt.com/blog/news/archives/152866

張本智和（智和企画）が大会4日目、男子ダブルス準々決勝を終えて、記者会見に臨んだ。記者団からは今回の全日本、大会直前に参加したWTT、そしてパリ五輪についての質問が相次いだが、いつものように淀みなく明確にコメントした張本。今大会のシングルスについては「どんな勝ち方だろうと優勝しか狙っていない」と、力強く語った。

張本「ダブルスは3試合とも簡単ではなく、全員が向かってきて苦しい場面が多い中で、森薗さんとふたりで力を合わせ、リードしても攻める姿勢を崩さずにプレーできた。厳しかったけど勝ち残れて良かったです。

（シングルスは）相手や内容どうこうは関係なく、今年は優勝しか狙っていない。どんな勝ち方だろうと勝つんだという気持ちで、2位以下なら初戦敗退と同じだと思っている。特にオリンピックシーズンなので、絶対今年は優勝したいです。

（妹・美和の活躍について）今年は去年と違ってジュニアは堂々と危ない試合もひとつもなく勝ってくれた。プレッシャーの中で勝ったことは、優勝というもの以上に意義があると思います。次はお互いに一般シングルスで優勝できるように、そのレベルに妹も来ているので、優勝できるように頑張ります。

（全日本直前のWTT出場について）優勝はできなかったけど、全体的には悪くない滑り出しだと思う。オリンピックを考えた時、コンテンダーに出ずランキングを取れなかったら正直後悔したと思うので、バランスを考えて出場を決めた。最後のコンテンダーでポイントを稼げたし、ぼくと戸上選手は良い決断をしたと思う。お互い今大会を100％で迎えられるとは思わないですけど、その中でも勝てるという自信を持ちながら戦いたいと思います。

（WTTを経て技術面では）全体的にブロックが減り、最低でもカウンターするというプレーができているので、プレーに自信は持っていい。技術は向上したので、戦術やリードした時の気持ちの持ち方などが課題かなと思います。（年末にランニングに取り組み）体重は一気に5kg落としてからキープできていて、筋肉量や体脂肪率などの数値も安定している。今までブロックしていたのをカウンターしたり、遠いボールを飛びついたり、少しずつ確実にできている気がします。それでも発展途上で、まだまだ強化できると思います。

（パリ五輪の緊張感については）正直、直前だという緊張感はまだない。まずはオリンピックへ向けてのポイントを取ったり全日本で勝ったりと、まだその時期だと思います。そこを乗り越え世界卓球が終わってから、本当にオリンピックしか考えられない、人がおかしくなってしまうくらいの緊張感になる。それに対する準備の期間と思います」。

 

[fore.n.back]

Last time Togami/Uda representing for Meiji University together. Both players thank the other while thinking about their future affiliations.

what a somber way to end their partnership, just the other day I found out they used to have a share twitter account to post things about each other

 

[zeio]

what a somber way to end their partnership, just the other day I found out they used to have a share twitter account to post things about each other

I guess Uda couldn't get his back and condition in shape in time.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...ld-cup-2023-chengdu-12-4-10.31810/post-431821

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

big day tomorrow with 3 singles rounds on the same day !
IIRC they changed the programmation this year, they used always to put doubles everyday and only 2 singles rounds on the same day ? today was doubles only.

 

[zeio]

Due to the pandemic, 2021 also had 3 singles rounds on the same day and IIRC Harimoto et. al. mentioned it had a negative impact on their stamina.

What's new for 2024 is the different and tighter scheduling for JBS/JGS/MD/WD/XD. Those events used to have the early rounds more spread out. Now they are much more concentrated. XD now takes place on Day 3/4/6 when it used to be Day 1-4, making the event much more significant. MD/WD now go from R1 (R256)-QF on Day 3/4 (R2-QF on Day 4) when they used to be Day 2/3/4/5. JBS/JGS now go from R1-R5 (R256-R16) on Day 1/2 (R2-R5 on Day 2) when they be Day 1/2/3.

There have been talks about separating the junior and doubles events for future editions.

2019
https://www.japantabletennis.com/zennihon2019/schedule
2020
https://www.japantabletennis.com/zennihon2020/schedule
2021
https://www.japantabletennis.com/zennihon2021/schedule
2022
https://jtta.or.jp/special/4132
2023
https://jtta.or.jp/special/10268
2024
https://jtta.or.jp/special/16395

2025年1月の全日本選手権は一般シングルス・ジュニアと、ダブルスが分離開催。肥大化に歯止めか？　大会史上初の試み
https://world-tt.com/blog/news/archives/140914
最後の7種目開催の「全日本」になるのか。1年後の分離開催に今から戸惑う選手と関係者
https://world-tt.com/blog/news/archives/149234

 

[NextLevel]

Harimoto says he is aiming for 2 titles here, that anything else for singles is equal to R64. He also comments on Miwa's JGS title, WTT CT Doha 2024, his technique (something was different), and the Olympics.

He says it would've been more beneficial for Miwa to win under pressure instead. He decided to play in CT Doha for the WR points because of the Olympics and felt he and Togami made the right decision. He adds that both of them won't be able to give 100% here but despite that he still wants to play with the confidence of winning here.

On the technical aspect after the WTT event, he says he has reduced blocking and could at least counter, so he feels more confident about his game. In response to the improvement, he has to work on the tactics and how to maintain his mindset when leading. He has been able to maintain his weight after dropping 5kg. His muscle mass and body fat percentage have also stabilized. Slowly but surely, he feels he is getting things done, countering shots that he used to block so far and hitting faraway shots.

張本智和「2位以下なら初戦敗退と同じ」。WTTで得た手応えで6年ぶり優勝を誓う
https://world-tt.com/blog/news/archives/152866

This was pretty obvious throughout the tournament, much more counterlooping especially on forehand and less blocking. Like I said, he just needs to catch up to people who have been doing this for years, when and if that will happen is anyone's guess. But of course, until and when this happens, the usual suspects will naysay our eyeballs out.