Site Products
Kai-Yoshida

Keeping it in the family

by Wade Townsend

Younger siblings claimed the limelight during the quarter-final stages of the Men’s Singles event at the All Japan Championships.

In a thrilling matchup between ex-university teammates, Yuki Hirano has progressed to the semi-finals at the All Japan Championships with a narrow 4-3 victory over Takuya Jin.

Yuki’s sister Sayaka was a five-time winner of the Women’s Singles title at the event. Now that she is retired it might be time for the younger sibling to take top position on the podium. If he can, it will be a first in All Japan Championship history.

But Hirano has a tough Sunday ahead of him; his semi-final opponent will be Jun Mizutani.

The defending champion secured his place in the semi-final stage with a 4-1 win over Yuto Kizukuri.

Kizukuri managed to scrape a game, taking the second 12-10. But it was a steady decline after that small taste of hope, losing the next three games 11-7, 11-5, 11-4.

In the opposite half of the draw Kazuhiro Yoshimura defeated Jin Ueda 4-2, earning a place in the semi-final and also a possible place in the history books.

Kazuhiro is the younger brother of Maharu Yoshimura. Maharu is certainly the more well known of the pair, being a member of the silver medal winning Japanese men’s team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and currently ranked within the top 30 players in the world.

He was also Men’s Singles winner at the 2012 All Japan Championships.

Only Maharu and Koki Niwa have defeated Jun Mizutani in the past 11 years of the event, both doing so in the final. If Kazuhiro Yoshimura can make it to the top of the podium it will be the first time brothers have claimed the national title.

In the bottom half of the draw, experience triumphed in the match between 36 year old Kaii Yoshida and 18 year old Tonin Ryuzaki. It was a comfortable win for Yoshida, dropping only one game as he quickly booked his place in the semi-final.

A permanent fixture at the All Japan Championships for more than a decade, Yoshida’s consistent level at the event is outstanding as he continues to be the flag bearer for the penholder style in Japan. Another classic final matchup between Yoshida and Mizutani could well be on the cards.

Semi-final action for the Men’s Singles commences tomorrow at 12pm local time.

And while you’re waiting for the matches, why not checkout Kazuhiro Yoshimura’s Instagram feed and get to know the younger Yoshimura a little better.

Latest News

Butterfly Training Tips with Anqi Luo – Backhand Underspin to Topspin Transition

April 26, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Anqi Lou is working with her student on a Backhand… Read More

USATT Announces Team Roster for World Championships

April 25, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) USA Table Tennis (USATT) has announced the names of the athletes set to represent TeamUSA… Read More

Calderano, Gauzy, and Jha Among Movers in Latest Rankings

April 25, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Lin Shidong and Wang Chuqin remain No. 1 and No. 2 this week,… Read More

The Countdown to Draft Day Starts Now!

April 25, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) Big Decisions, Bigger Moves –  Don’t Miss the MLTT Draft! 🏓 The MLTT… Read More

Butterfly Training Tips with Bob Chen – Looping Against Chop

April 25, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Bob Chen is focusing on looping against chop https://youtu.be/P_EhxMhB3UM Stay “In… Read More

Zhu Yuling’s Comeback Interview: “I Just Want to Purely Enjoy Table Tennis Again”

April 24, 2025
(by Butterfly Global) After winning the World Youth Championships in Bratislava (2010) and Hyderabad (2012), Zhu Yuling quickly… Read More

Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights – 2024 US Open Round of 16 vs Hudson Yang

April 24, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights, Amber Lin breaks down her strategic approach in the… Read More

Liu Guoliang Resigns – Wang Liqin Takes Over CTTA

April 23, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTF) A surprise announcement today as the Chinese Table Tennis Association announced that Liu… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.