At the World Team Table Tennis Championships being held in South Korea, the Japanese women's team defeated Hong Kong to advance to the finals, and will face China on the 24th for the first gold medal in 53 years.
At the team table tennis world championships being held in Busan, South Korea, the Japanese women's team, which is ranked second in the world and has already qualified for the team and two singles spots at the Paris Olympics, will compete against the world No. 6 team in the semifinals on the 23rd. We played against Hong Kong.
Japan's 15-year-old Miwa Harimoto was the first player to play, and they were forced into a corner by taking two games in advance, but from here on, she showed her high ability to make corrections by hitting shots that hit the course and making her specialty backhands. We won three games in a row and achieved a come-from-behind victory.
This created a flow, and the next ace player, Hina Hayata, landed a powerful forehand and a backhand that she had strengthened one after another to win in straight sets, and the third player, Miu Hirano, responded with a speedy attack that hit back with her favorite quick timing. I kept them at bay and won in straight sets.
Japan, whose three players have been selected to represent the Paris Olympics, showed their competitive strength, defeating Hong Kong 3-0 and advancing to the finals.
On the 24th, Japan will play against China, who have won the tournament for the first time in 53 years, for their first gold medal in 53 years.
Miwa Harimoto, Hina Hayata, Miu Hirano, 3 player statements
Miwa Harimoto, a 15-year-old player who participated in the tournament as the first player and won a close match, said, ``Up until now, I was the second player to participate in a match, so I was more nervous to participate as the first player. We had a bad start to the game, but I'm glad we made good adjustments in the end and were able to win."
Hina Hayata, the second ace to win in straight sets, said, ``Harimoto beat the opponent's ace and connected, so I was able to ride that momentum and secure a solid win.I was just one step away from winning. The walls are too high and too thick, but we want to do our best and work together to make sure we don't have any regrets," he said, expressing his desire for the finals. I showed it.
Miu Hirano, who was the third player to win in straight sets, said, ``I was 2-0 up and wanted to score here, so I'm glad I was able to score.The coach on the bench and Mima Ito gave me advice. Thanks to that, I was able to win."