says
Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
says
Shoo...nothing to see here. - zeio
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TAKAGI Mina's write-up on Hirano's transfer has some interesting details, further strengthening the notion that the poor team spirit has been a long-standing issue.
平野美宇 ゆかりある九州で「新ハリケーンを見せる！」 移籍の舞台裏から見える卓球選手のリアル【Tリーグ・九州カリーナ入団会見】
https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/tabletennis/news/2026/07/042167.html
She has left Kinoshita Abyell Kanagawa, the T.League team where she played for four seasons from the 2022-2023 season, and transferred to Kyushu Carina, based in Fukuoka. She officially joined the team on July 1st, and held an introductory press conference in Tokyo on the 7th.
Hirano's choice of new team defied the expectations of many table tennis fans. Why did Hirano decide to transfer?
"I am truly grateful for all the support I received from the Kinoshita Group, and I was able to win the T.League four times during my four years there. I am filled with gratitude for being in such a wonderful environment."
At the beginning of the press conference, Hirano first expressed her gratitude to her former team.
Last season (2025-2026 season), she led the team as captain. In the playoff final, she achieved a dramatic victory in the victory match immediately after losing in the singles match, leading the team to their second consecutive championship (their third overall championship). Having fulfilled her mission in the best possible way, Hirano's expression was truly radiant as she headed to a new team.
However, there was considerable internal conflict leading up to this decision.
After all, it was a sudden transfer from a consistently winning team to a lower-ranked team. The news of the transfer, which was unexpectedly reported in early June, was met with surprise.
Before joining Kinoshita Abyell Kanagawa, Hirano had played for Nippon Life Red Elf, a team boasting five annual championships.
Meanwhile, Kyushu Carina, which entered the league as Kyushu Astida in April 2021, achieved a third-place finish in its inaugural season (2021-2022) thanks to the efforts of players like Honoka Hashimoto (Denso), Hitomi Sato (Nippon Paint Group), and Sakura Yokoi (Mikihouse). However, since then, they have consistently finished last, making strengthening their roster a major challenge.
Amidst this situation, 川面創/KAWATSURA Hajime, President and CEO of Kyushu Carina, heard information after Golden Week in May that "there's a possibility that Hirano won't be affiliated with the Kinoshita Group next season," and immediately moved to acquire her.
"Actually, she turned us down once,"
Kawatsura revealed at the press conference. Signing a contract with a top player isn't just about money. The biggest obstacle was the training environment.
Kinoshita Abyell Kanagawa has a dedicated training ground and even accommodation facilities. On the other hand, Kyushu Carina lacks a dedicated training ground.
"To be honest, accepting Hirano presented some difficult circumstances," Kawatsura frankly explained the team's situation.
Hirano herself was also very conflicted.
"Until now, I've been in an environment where I was surrounded by national team players and constantly striving to improve, so honestly, I was worried. It's true that I initially turned down Kawatsura's offer because I was concerned about the training environment."
Another factor was that she had changed her affiliation to "indepedent" on June 15th. Table tennis players, even those affiliated with an organization, often lack dedicated training facilities. In cases like Hirano's, where players operate independently, they must secure their own practice courts and training partners.
Furthermore, while the Japan Table Tennis Association arranges some overseas flight tickets, players are generally responsible for their own arrangements.
With year-round tournaments on the WTT Tour, plus domestic events and media appearances, managing a schedule is extremely complex.
Fortunately, Hirano has management, but becoming an independent player made her acutely aware of the difficulties involved.
At that time, Kyushu Carina promised to fully support all aspects of her activities. Hirano says this "led to a major decision."
In addition, regarding funding, Representative Kawamo earnestly explained the significance of Hirano joining to multiple sponsors, including the main sponsor, Green Cross Co., Ltd., securing their support.
"I believe the biggest factor was the encouragement from all the sponsors," Representative Kawatsura proudly states.
Hirano's challenge, judging solely from the competitive environment, is by no means a safe choice.
However, her words, "I think it's a good choice to leave a privileged environment, become an individual, and strengthen myself in a new environment," are reassuring.
At the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships in Doha about a year ago, she entered the tournament having lost sight of her goals after the Paris Olympics, and was unable to perform to her full potential, suffering a surprising defeat in the second round of singles.
She became so convinced that "I have no value unless I win" that she was pushed to the brink, even considering retirement.
What helped Hirano recover from that despair was the support of the fans she met in the T.League.
"When I turned pro after graduating from high school, I was completely preoccupied with myself. But as I continued to work as a professional, especially in the T.League where I travel all over Japan for matches, I was able to communicate with many fans, and my fan base grew steadily. Their support was a tremendous source of strength for me."
The 2026-2027 season, which begins in August, will be Hirano's ninth season. Having won the annual championship seven times in eight seasons, this "championship-winning player" aims to surpass the team's best-ever result of third place, and confidently states, "I want to lead the team."
Personally, she is actively participating in overseas tours and expresses her ambition to "steadily improve" her current world ranking of 31st.
She is also looking ahead to representing Japan at the 2028 World Table Tennis Championships (team competition) to be held in Kitakyushu City.
In fact, Hirano has a connection to Kyushu.
It is well known that she was born on April 14, 2000, in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, her mother's hometown, and grew up in Chuo City, Yamanashi Prefecture, her father's hometown. However, when she was six months old, the family of three lived in Miyazaki Prefecture for about six months with her father, who was a student at Miyazaki Medical University (now Miyazaki University School of Medicine) at the time.
"Until now, Kitakyushu City has been strongly associated with Hayata Hina's hometown (laughs). But I also have ties to Kyushu. As a representative of Kyushu Carina and as a representative of Japan, I would be happy if everyone in Kyushu could see me play."
Coincidentally, the press conference was held on Tanabata, Hayata's birthday.
Hirano wrote her resolve on a tanzaku (a strip of paper for writing wishes), including her nickname, "I will show a new hurricane at Kyushu Carina!!" vowing to make great strides in her new environment.)
平野美宇 ゆかりある九州で「新ハリケーンを見せる！」 移籍の舞台裏から見える卓球選手のリアル【Tリーグ・九州カリーナ入団会見】
https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/tabletennis/news/2026/07/042167.html
(Hirano Miu, a two-time Olympic medalist, has embarked on a new stage in her career.
She has left Kinoshita Abyell Kanagawa, the T.League team where she played for four seasons from the 2022-2023 season, and transferred to Kyushu Carina, based in Fukuoka. She officially joined the team on July 1st, and held an introductory press conference in Tokyo on the 7th.
Hirano's choice of new team defied the expectations of many table tennis fans. Why did Hirano decide to transfer?
"I am truly grateful for all the support I received from the Kinoshita Group, and I was able to win the T.League four times during my four years there. I am filled with gratitude for being in such a wonderful environment."
At the beginning of the press conference, Hirano first expressed her gratitude to her former team.
Last season (2025-2026 season), she led the team as captain. In the playoff final, she achieved a dramatic victory in the victory match immediately after losing in the singles match, leading the team to their second consecutive championship (their third overall championship). Having fulfilled her mission in the best possible way, Hirano's expression was truly radiant as she headed to a new team.
However, there was considerable internal conflict leading up to this decision.
After all, it was a sudden transfer from a consistently winning team to a lower-ranked team. The news of the transfer, which was unexpectedly reported in early June, was met with surprise.
Before joining Kinoshita Abyell Kanagawa, Hirano had played for Nippon Life Red Elf, a team boasting five annual championships.
Meanwhile, Kyushu Carina, which entered the league as Kyushu Astida in April 2021, achieved a third-place finish in its inaugural season (2021-2022) thanks to the efforts of players like Honoka Hashimoto (Denso), Hitomi Sato (Nippon Paint Group), and Sakura Yokoi (Mikihouse). However, since then, they have consistently finished last, making strengthening their roster a major challenge.
Amidst this situation, 川面創/KAWATSURA Hajime, President and CEO of Kyushu Carina, heard information after Golden Week in May that "there's a possibility that Hirano won't be affiliated with the Kinoshita Group next season," and immediately moved to acquire her.
"Actually, she turned us down once,"
Kawatsura revealed at the press conference. Signing a contract with a top player isn't just about money. The biggest obstacle was the training environment.
Kinoshita Abyell Kanagawa has a dedicated training ground and even accommodation facilities. On the other hand, Kyushu Carina lacks a dedicated training ground.
"To be honest, accepting Hirano presented some difficult circumstances," Kawatsura frankly explained the team's situation.
Hirano herself was also very conflicted.
"Until now, I've been in an environment where I was surrounded by national team players and constantly striving to improve, so honestly, I was worried. It's true that I initially turned down Kawatsura's offer because I was concerned about the training environment."
Another factor was that she had changed her affiliation to "indepedent" on June 15th. Table tennis players, even those affiliated with an organization, often lack dedicated training facilities. In cases like Hirano's, where players operate independently, they must secure their own practice courts and training partners.
Furthermore, while the Japan Table Tennis Association arranges some overseas flight tickets, players are generally responsible for their own arrangements.
With year-round tournaments on the WTT Tour, plus domestic events and media appearances, managing a schedule is extremely complex.
Fortunately, Hirano has management, but becoming an independent player made her acutely aware of the difficulties involved.
At that time, Kyushu Carina promised to fully support all aspects of her activities. Hirano says this "led to a major decision."
In addition, regarding funding, Representative Kawamo earnestly explained the significance of Hirano joining to multiple sponsors, including the main sponsor, Green Cross Co., Ltd., securing their support.
"I believe the biggest factor was the encouragement from all the sponsors," Representative Kawatsura proudly states.
Hirano's challenge, judging solely from the competitive environment, is by no means a safe choice.
However, her words, "I think it's a good choice to leave a privileged environment, become an individual, and strengthen myself in a new environment," are reassuring.
At the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships in Doha about a year ago, she entered the tournament having lost sight of her goals after the Paris Olympics, and was unable to perform to her full potential, suffering a surprising defeat in the second round of singles.
She became so convinced that "I have no value unless I win" that she was pushed to the brink, even considering retirement.
What helped Hirano recover from that despair was the support of the fans she met in the T.League.
"When I turned pro after graduating from high school, I was completely preoccupied with myself. But as I continued to work as a professional, especially in the T.League where I travel all over Japan for matches, I was able to communicate with many fans, and my fan base grew steadily. Their support was a tremendous source of strength for me."
The 2026-2027 season, which begins in August, will be Hirano's ninth season. Having won the annual championship seven times in eight seasons, this "championship-winning player" aims to surpass the team's best-ever result of third place, and confidently states, "I want to lead the team."
Personally, she is actively participating in overseas tours and expresses her ambition to "steadily improve" her current world ranking of 31st.
She is also looking ahead to representing Japan at the 2028 World Table Tennis Championships (team competition) to be held in Kitakyushu City.
In fact, Hirano has a connection to Kyushu.
It is well known that she was born on April 14, 2000, in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, her mother's hometown, and grew up in Chuo City, Yamanashi Prefecture, her father's hometown. However, when she was six months old, the family of three lived in Miyazaki Prefecture for about six months with her father, who was a student at Miyazaki Medical University (now Miyazaki University School of Medicine) at the time.
"Until now, Kitakyushu City has been strongly associated with Hayata Hina's hometown (laughs). But I also have ties to Kyushu. As a representative of Kyushu Carina and as a representative of Japan, I would be happy if everyone in Kyushu could see me play."
Coincidentally, the press conference was held on Tanabata, Hayata's birthday.
Hirano wrote her resolve on a tanzaku (a strip of paper for writing wishes), including her nickname, "I will show a new hurricane at Kyushu Carina!!" vowing to make great strides in her new environment.)
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