Ito Jota at it again with his weird logic. See how Hirano handles being the oldest for WTTC 2024 and the only one with Olympic experience.
The fact is Ito's
age (as well as her ailing body) doesn't leave any room for her to be selected as the reserve player. She would've earned more praise had she just cut the chase and got to the point. Just admit that she doesn't have the youth and the results and it would've been the end of it.
【卓球】23歳が最年長の女子日本代表 平野美宇「不安なこともあると思う」15歳で初選出の張本美和へ気づかい
https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/sports/8d105a2016b7409fa5a05c4c82e8495d
特に張本選手は15歳で代表初選出。「プレーも本当に大人顔負けだと思う」と五輪でもともに戦う仲間をたたえつつ、「私が初めて世界選手権に出たときも15歳。きっとそのときの私よりもしっかりしているけれど、不安なこともあると思う。なにかあったらなにか言ってあげられるように自分もしっかりしたい」と先輩としての決意を示しました。
In particular, Harimoto is selected as the represetative for the first time at the age of 15. "I think her play is really comparable to that of adults," Hirano said, praising her teammates who will compete alongside her at the Olympics.
"I was 15 when I first competed in the WTTC. I'm sure she is more solid than I was then, but there could be concerns. I want to do my best so that I can give you pointers when something happens," she said, showing her determination as a senior.
「自分が唯一の五輪経験者」パリ五輪代表・平野美宇 打倒・中国＆金メダル獲得へ女子代表をリードする覚悟
https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/sports/e4daf35d6523497ba0126709da937a91
平野選手は東京五輪での団体戦に続き2大会連続2度目の五輪出場。一方で早田選手、張本選手は今回が初の五輪出場となります。「私が唯一五輪に1回出ている経験者なので、自分がしっかりして、自分を頼ってもらえるようにしないといけない」と日本女子卓球代表を先導する覚悟を口にしました。
This is Hirano's second consecutive Olympic appearance, following her participation in the team event at the Tokyo Olympics. On the other hand, Hayata and Harimoto will be participating in the Olympics for the first time. "I'm the only one who has played in the Olympics once, so I have to do my best and make sure people can rely on me," she said of her determination to lead the Japanese women's table tennis representatives.
平野美宇「まさか」唯一の五輪経験者となり自覚「新しい風に」代表入り１５歳張本美和に敬意「私よりしっかりしてる」
https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2024/02/05/0017301648.shtml
東京五輪メダリストの伊藤美誠（２３）＝スターツ＝は落選し、３大会連続出場が消滅した。これで東京五輪団体銀メダルに続き、初のシングルス代表となった平野は唯一の五輪経験者となるが、「たぶん私よりも早田選手も張本選手もしっかりしている。また新しい日本チームをお見せできるんじゃないかと思うので、（過去大会とは違う）新しい風になれるように３人一丸となって頑張りたい」と意気込みを語った。
東京五輪でともに戦った石川佳純さんが昨年引退し、日本女子をけん引してきた同学年の伊藤も落選となった。平野は都内で会見に出席したが、「まさか自分だけが（五輪）経験者になるとは思わなかった」と率直に語りつつ、「でも張本選手も早田選手もすごく強くて、本当にしっかりされているので、私がどれだけしっかりしていけるか（がカギ）だと思っている」と、初出場の２人への敬意を強調。「前回は石川選手や伊藤選手に頼っていたところもあったが、今回は（石川さんが引退して）伊藤選手もいないので、自分ができるだけしっかりして。張本選手もしっかりしているが、少しでも不安があったら（自分に）頼ってもらえるようにしたい」と、年長者としての自覚をにじませた。
会見に同席した張本は「私は一番最年少で年下だが、早田選手、平野選手の先輩方をしっかり見習って、（日本代表として）恥じないようにチームになじんでいけたらいいなって思う」と初々しく語った。
Tokyo Olympics medalist Ito Mima (23) =Starts= lost out, ending her third consecutive appearance in the tournament. This marks Hirano's first singles appearance following her silver medal in WT at the Tokyo Olympics, making her the only person with Olympic experience, but she says, "
Both Hayata and Harimoto are probably more solid than I am. I think we'll be able to display a new Team Japan (different from past tournaments), so I want the 3 of us to work together to create new wind," she said with enthusiasm.
Ishikawa Kasumi, who competed with her at the Tokyo Olympics, retired last year, and Ito, who is the same age has been leading Japan's women, also missed out. Hirano attended a press conference in Tokyo and frankly said, "
I never thought I would be the only one with (Olympic) experience," adding, "but both Harimoto and Hayata are very strong and worked really hard. I think (the key) is how well I can do it," she said, emphasizing her respect for the 2 players who are competing for the first time. "Last time, I relied on Ishikawa and Ito, but this time Ito is gone (Ishikawa retired), so I'm doing my best as much as possible. Harimoto is also doing well, but I hope I can be relied upon if she has any concerns," she said, showing her awareness as an elder.
Harimoto, who was present at the press conference, said, "I'm the youngest in age and lowest in seniority, but I hope I can follow the example of my seniors, Hayata and Hirano, and fit in with the team so I don't feel embarrassed (as a member of the Japan's representatives)," she said innocently.
