At the table tennis team world championships held in China, Japan won the final match of both the men's and women's qualifying leagues, finishing first in their groups and advancing to the finals.
The Japanese women, who have won silver medals in three consecutive table tennis world championships, faced Uzbekistan in the final match of the qualifying league on the 4th.
Japan, ranked 2nd in the world and having won all three games so far, advanced their match against Uzbekistan, ranked 52nd in the world, and Kihara Miyu won the first match with a game count of 3-0.
In the second game, Hayata Hina, who is the top Japanese player and ranked 5th in the world, took the first game against a cut man with powerful shots, and won 11-7.
From the second game onwards, Hayata scored shots aimed at the course from the rally, and won with a game count of 3-0.
In the third match, Nagasaki Miyu scored a straight-set win, and Japan beat Uzbekistan 3-0.
After winning all four matches in the qualifying league, Japan qualified for the finals tournament as the group leader.
Hayata "Cut man countermeasures to gain confidence and go to the game"
Hayata Hina said, "In the practice before the game, I worked with the coach to prepare for the cut man, so I entered the game with confidence."
As she approached the final tournament, she said, "I think I'll be strong no matter what country I'm playing against, so I'd like to refresh myself and do my best in each and every match."
Men also win all round and advance to the final tournament
In addition, the men's team defeated Hungary 3-1 in the final match of the qualifying league, and, like the women's team, won all four games and advanced to the finals tournament as the group's first place.