The table tennis T-League started at the end of July. The youngest debut last year at the age of 7 was Misora Matsushima, who belongs to Kyoto Kaguyarise. He has won three consecutive national tournaments for elementary school age groups, and has also been selected as a member of the Japan national team for the under-9 age.
"I want to win an Olympic gold medal in singles," says Misora.
Japan is a player who is now attracting expectations as a player who will lead the next generation of table tennis.
Continuing the challenge with Misora is his father and coach Takuji. We visited Matsushima and his son, who are training hard to achieve their goal of becoming the youngest player to win the T-League this season.
(Click the image above to watch the video)
table of contents
Table tennis hall where I have spent my childhood
4 hours on weekdays 8 hours or more practice on Saturdays and Sundays
Overcoming high walls
It's tough during practice, but... Usually kind dad
Misora-san "Join forces with your father"
Open Table of Contents
table of contents
table of contents
Table tennis hall where I have spent my childhood
4 hours on weekdays 8 hours or more practice on Saturdays and Sundays
Overcoming high walls
It's tough during practice, but... Usually kind dad
Misora-san "Join forces with your father"
T-League Kyoto Kaguyarize Misora Matsushima
Table tennis hall where I have spent my childhood
Misora is a fourth-grade elementary school student attending a school in Kyoto City. After school, we head to the practice field.
"Welcome back,"
"I'm here,"
Mom came out at
the entrance. This is a table tennis hall run by the family.
This is Misora when she was 2 years old. Hitting the ball back on the ping-pong table.
Misora's parents are former corporate team players. He had been holding a racket for as long as he could remember.
Misora, who turned 10 this year, has spent a lot of time at this table tennis hall doing school homework and taking naps in addition to practice.
His father, Takuji Matsushima (42),
said, "I've been spending a lot of time at the table tennis hall since I was little, so the sounds of balls and rallies were a lullaby for Misora."
4 hours on weekdays 8 hours or more practice on Saturdays and Sundays
Misora's practice has begun.
His father, Takuji, is a talented player who has also played at the All Japan Table Tennis Championships.
Together with Takuji, we practiced for 4 hours on weekdays and more than 8 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ms. Misora has been gaining strength with her parents and children.
What the two of them are working on now is practicing to improve their control of aiming accurately at the opponent's flank. It's a difficult course to return to your opponent, but if it misses even a little, it will be a great ball. Don't be afraid to take risks and keep practicing hard work.
Overcoming high walls
During the practice, Mr. Takuji continues to give strict guidance.
It is also to overcome high barriers.
Last year, when Misora made her first appearance in the T-League, she played in four matches and won one game against the bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, but she could not win.
Currently, the record for the youngest win in the T-League is 13 years and 2 months.
Parents and children are now aiming to break this record.
Takuji Matsushima:
"Misora herself has said that she wants to participate in the Olympics and win the T-League, so I think it is necessary to make a certain amount of effort to achieve it, so let's work together without compromising each other to achieve it."
Ms
. Misora Matsushima: "I'm a little angry and annoyed, but they say good things about me, so I'm upset, but I think I have to listen properly."
It's tough during practice, but... Usually kind dad
Takuji is strict in practice, but he is usually a family-oriented father.
In between practice sessions and games, I photograph the smiles of the children.
Takuji Matsushima:
"Many of my children have stern faces almost all day, so I would like to take as many photos as possible when they go out to play or are smiling casually."
Misora-san "Join forces with your father"
Misora is aiming for her first T-League victory. He shared his enthusiasm.
Ms
. Misora Matsushima: "After all, you can't become strong alone, so let's work together as two people, and we both will do our best with the desire to move forward."
First win in the T-League. And aiming for the Olympics beyond.