Japan played against Hong Kong in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics and table tennis women's team, Kasumi Ishikawa and Miu Hirano won the doubles, and Mima Ito and Miu Hirano each won the singles and advanced to the final with three consecutive victories. I did.
In Japan, more than silver medals have been confirmed, and this event will be the third consecutive medal acquisition.
3 people play their part
Japan has won more than a silver medal, which is the third consecutive medal in a women's table tennis team.
In the battle for the singles representative, the three people who competed together decided to advance to the final.
In Japan, in all three games from the first round to the semi-final, Mima Ito, who is third in the world ranking, is in the ace position to participate in two singles games, and captains Kasumi Ishikawa and Miu Hirano are in the first doubles game. I am participating in.
Ishikawa and Hirano competed fiercely until the end of the Tokyo Olympics singles competition, which took a year to compete, and Ishikawa won the right to participate in the singles by a small margin.
Nevertheless, the two thought that the doubles, which will be held in the first match of the group from this tournament, will be an important key to creating the flow of the team, and have constantly participated in the international tournament as women's doubles to deepen their cooperation.
Ishikawa lost the quarter-finals in the singles aiming for medals at this tournament, saying, "The singles were very disappointing and I was not satisfied with the play. I want to do my best so that the disappointment of the singles can be hit in the team competition." I was enthusiastic.
In addition, Hirano, who participated only in groups, cheered at the spectators' seats during the individual events of the first half of the schedule, saying, "I learned from watching the game and I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the venue. I want to do my best to make use of what I have learned in team competitions. "
And Ito, who won the bronze medal in the singles but lost straight to the Chinese player in the semi-final and shed tears, said, "I was ready to switch firmly with the feeling that the Olympics are not over. Everyone enjoyed overcoming the match. I want to win. "
Each of the three played their own role, and the team worked together to advance to the final, scoring a silver medal or better.
Ito won the third medal in this tournament, following the gold medal in the mixed doubles and the bronze medal in the women's singles.
Japan, which was a silver medal at the London Games and a bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games, will face the winners of China and Germany in the final on the 5th, aiming for the long-sought gold medal.