Site Products
The youngest ever, Tomokazu Harimoto yet again

The youngest ever, Tomokazu Harimoto yet again

(by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor)
The youngest ever, Tomokazu Harimoto yet again
On Wednesday 7th December 2016; Tomokazu Harimoto, at 13 years and 163 days old, became the youngest ever player to win the Boys’ Singles title at a World Junior Championships when he succeeded in the Cape Town; last year on Sunday 27th August, in the Czech Republic, he became the youngest ever player to win an ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles title. At the time he was only 14 years and 61 days old.

Now has added the list. On Sunday 21st January, at 14 years and 207 days old, he became the youngest ever winner of the Men’s Singles event at the Japanese National Championships.

At the final hurdle, in the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, he beat Jun Mizutani, the nine times former winner, a young man who secured his first such title in 2007 when 17 years old. Tomokazu Harimoto won in six games to write his name into the history books of sport (11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 11-2, 6-11, 11-5).

A close first game success was undoubtedly a confidence boost but if there is one player in the world who oozes self-belief it is Tomakazu Harimoto. The opening game secured, he built on the success by winning the second, before in the third establishing an 8-5 lead; resolute Jun Mizutani, won the next six points to reduce the arrears to one game.

Would Tomokazu Harimoto experience a reaction from the loss? The answer was positive and immediate, perhaps not one expected. He won the first ten points of the fourth game. Jun Mizutani, to his credit, responded to win the fifth game, before Tomokazu Harimoto secured the sixth to end proceedings.

For full article, please click here

Latest News

Keep Your Left Arm Up

July 30, 2025
1 Backhand Topspin from Backhand against Topspin to Backhand, 1 Forehand Topspin from middle against topspin to Backhand,… Read More

Nishant Lebaka – Backhand Loop Transition Play

July 30, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Nishant Lebaka is focusing on his Backhand Loop Transition play… Read More

Rogelio Castro – Serve & Shortgame Play

July 29, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Rogelio Castro is focusing on a Serve, followed by a… Read More

Lift the Ball

July 28, 2025
WAIT FUNCTION: 1 backspin serve robot will play 1 random backspin ball anywhere on the table, either Forehand… Read More

Freitas ALC + Dignics 09C + Dignics 05 – Need Mid-Distance Power?

July 28, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) In this video, Coach Brian Pace emphasizes the importance of finding the right equipment setup for… Read More

Consistency and Good Form Lead to Speed and Power

July 28, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Don’t be that guy who spends years smacking shots but also missing over and over,… Read More

Geovanny Coello – Gameplay Sequencing

July 28, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Geovanny Coello is working a player on Gameplay Sequencing https://youtu.be/zGRnfYszoWQ… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Central Florida Table Tennis Club

July 27, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) With its location near the junction of Highway 423 and 441, just northwest of downtown… 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.