Japan played against China in the men's semi-finals of the team table tennis world championships held in China.
At the group world championship, the Japanese men played against China, who have won 9 consecutive world championships, in the semifinals of the final tournament on the 8th.
In the first match, Shunsuke Togami suffered a straight loss with a game count of 0-3.
In the second game, ace Harimoto lost the first game, but in the second game he won the second game with a tenacious rally and quick-timing backhand, which he is good at, with an 11-8 score. I took it in a row.
At the beginning of the 4th game, we were led 4 to 5, but when we seized the flow with serves and receiving, we took this game 11 to 9 with 6 consecutive points and won with a game count of 3 to 1.
In the third match, Mizuki Oikawa faced Ma Long, who won the men's singles title at the Tokyo Olympics for the second time in a row, and lost with a game count of 1-3.
In the fourth match, Harimoto, who appeared again, faced world number one, Fan Zhendong.
Harimoto took 2 games in a row after taking the 1st game, and the game count was 1 to 2, but from here on in the 4th game, he made use of his unique spin receive "Chiquita" to win 11 games. After winning the 9th game, they aggressively attacked without taking a step back in the fifth game and won the close match with a game count of 3 to 2.
In the fifth and final match, Togami lost with a game count of 0-3, so Japan lost to China 2-3 and unfortunately did not advance to the final.
As a result, Japan won the bronze medal for the first time in two World Championships.
Harimoto: "I was able to get a medal, so I got a passing score."
Tomokazu Harimoto said, "It's frustrating that the team lost. I played both games with the intention of passing on to the next player. I was able to win a medal, so it's a passing score."
Regarding the many scenes where he won long rallies against Chinese players, he said, ``It was a rally because I fought with this team, and it was a rally because the opponent was the strongest in the world.'' I've come this far, so I want to fight with the same members again," he said with a burning fighting spirit.
Togami: “I was able to gain experience that will help me grow in the future.”
Shunsuke Togami, who was entrusted with the final 5th game with a 2-2 score, said, "Harimoto and Oikawa played a good match, so it was a chance, but I'm very disappointed. I was able to make a point difference with my excellent technique. I was able to have an experience that will lead to my future growth."