Took Baba long enough to spell it out.
Is it safe to assume that Ito has
warmed up to Hirano again because she
got dumped by Hayata (something that Ito has a history of doing) despite being the one
to extend the olive branch?
【卓球】ロス五輪に向けダブルス戦略的強化へ 馬場美香強化本部長「ランキング上位の選手同士のペアに組んでもらいダブルスのランキングを高めたい」 ([Table Tennis] Strategic focus on strengthening doubles for the Los Angeles Olympics; Mika Baba, Head of Development, states:
"We want to pair top-ranked players together to boost our doubles rankings.")
https://hochi.news/articles/20260912-OHT1T51261.html?page=1
(The Japan Table Tennis Association held a board of directors meeting in Tokyo on the 12th and came up with guidelines for strengthening men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
At the Los Angeles Olympics, mixed doubles will continue to be played, and men's and women's doubles will also be held for the first time in six Olympics since 2004. Japan, which was listed as a medal candidate, was required to strengthen its strategy going forward in order to defeat China.
Mika Baba, head of the Japan Association's Development Headquarters, said, "Our aim is to have players with high rankings form pairings and participate in doubles preliminary rounds or matches that will allow them to be seeded in the event of the main tournament, thereby raising their rankings."
Head of Development Headquarters Baba said,
"Starting this year, if we don't narrow it down to a few pairs and raise their rankings within a year, even if they become the national team, our chances of winning a medal will be low. The selection criteria for singles is 1st and 2nd place in the world rankings for both men and women, so I imagine the coaches will basically select pairs from among the players with the highest rankings, acquire seeding rights for the Olympics, and be strategic to avoid facing strong pairs early on."
The events to be held at the Los Angeles Olympics and the number of players to participate are 2 spots each for men's and women's singles, 1 pair each for men's and women's doubles, up to 2 pairs for mixed doubles, and 3 men and 3 men for the new mixed team. 6 events will be held, with up to 3 men and women representing each.)
2025/10/23
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...hat-much-to-begin-with-1169.35128/post-546960
2025/12/14
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/thread-about-japanese-players.38013/post-555503
