Thread about Japanese Players

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@tzifos Sato is sponsored by Nittaku, but the blade and rubbers she uses in matches are not from Nittaku. The video you posted is a Nittaku video, so for that video Sato used some Nittaku equipment. She is definitely not sponsored by Butterfly.

I previously read that she uses long pips on the BH (which rules out DO Knuckle) and @belllfador's guess sounds reasonable.

Yes, that is a bit strange, sponsored by Nittaku but using other company/nies' equipment ! Especially the blade, it shouts "I am BTY" !! And blade is the easiest of all to hide for example using only the handle from other manufacturer!
 
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With her win over Hashimoto, Sato will earn at least 580 points for the US Smash and overtake Nagasaki in the world ranking. If Ito loses to Harimoto, Sato will also leapfrog Ito. In any event, Sato will be the 6th highest ranked Japanese player (or better) and hopefully gain automatic entry for the Europe Smash (the ranking update might be too late for the cut-off date). Fingers crossed that Nakazawa will select the Hashimoto/Sato pairing at the Europe Smash 🍀

Just daydreaming, but imo it would be awesome if Harimoto/Hashimoto/Sato were the 3 highest ranked Japanese players on 3 January 2028 (the cut-off date for Olympics selection) and Hashimoto/Sato would play WD.
 
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With her win over Hashimoto, Sato will earn at least 580 points for the US Smash and overtake Nagasaki in the world ranking. If Ito loses to Harimoto, Sato will also leapfrog Ito. In any event, Sato will be the 6th highest ranked Japanese player (or better) and hopefully gain automatic entry for the Europe Smash (the ranking update might be too late for the cut-off date). Fingers crossed that Nakazawa will select the Hashimoto/Sato pairing at the Europe Smash 🍀

Just daydreaming, but imo it would be awesome if Harimoto/Hashimoto/Sato were the 3 highest ranked Japanese players on 3 January 2028 (the cut-off date for Olympics selection) and Hashimoto/Sato would play WD.
Mima Ito's 2025 US Smash points won't expire until July 13 so she will still be ahead of Sato unless Sato makes the Finals. Most likely Hitomi won't make the Europe Smash based on ranking, but it's very possible (since she beat WMY) she could get a Host Wildcard or WTT Nomination.
 
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With her win over Hashimoto, Sato will earn at least 580 points for the US Smash and overtake Nagasaki in the world ranking. If Ito loses to Harimoto, Sato will also leapfrog Ito. In any event, Sato will be the 6th highest ranked Japanese player (or better) and hopefully gain automatic entry for the Europe Smash (the ranking update might be too late for the cut-off date). Fingers crossed that Nakazawa will select the Hashimoto/Sato pairing at the Europe Smash 🍀

Just daydreaming, but imo it would be awesome if Harimoto/Hashimoto/Sato were the 3 highest ranked Japanese players on 3 January 2028 (the cut-off date for Olympics selection) and Hashimoto/Sato would play WD.
That Hashimoto and Sato are not playing women's doubles is a criminal act. MNSHO....
 
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There is a Calderano line - it divides players who can beat Calderano and players who cannot - I cannot see how Shinozuka crosses that line., In his last match, he hit some of the most powerful shots I can ever remember him hitting - but none of that is here. That players like Felix and Truls and Togami can cross it means it doesn't mean you can't use a different style to do it. But Shinozuka needs to find something. I am rooting for him a little - he needs to break his personal limiter like Saitama.

PS: So happy to be wrong - Shinozuka gets his Saitama moment and can now beat anyone.
 
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Yokoi playing now. IDK her. I don't watch a lot. Just getting back into watching lately. She dropped the first game but dominating with her BH in this second
she failed this time, but next time will the the good one
 
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