Asking Miwa Harimoto, winner of the All Japan Table Tennis Championship (Junior Division), about her favorite part of table tennis and her routine

Miwa Harimoto, who won the All Japan Table Tennis Championship (junior division) in January, has joined SUNNY SIDE UP Athlete!

Today, we will present you with a full report of the interview to Miwa：）

Born into a table tennis family, Miwa Harimoto has been very active in the world of table tennis, representing Japan’s U18 national team at 11, and being a candidate for the national team at age 13.

This time we conducted an online interview with Miwa herself, asking her how she felt about winning the All Japan Table Tennis Championships (junior division), what she likes about table tennis, and her daily routine.

Being able to get revenge for last year’s All Japan Table Tennis Championship (Junior Division)

–Congratulations on your recent victory in the All Japan Table Tennis Championships (Junior Division)! Once again, please tell us how you feel.

Miwa：I was very disappointed to finish 2nd in the 2022 tournament, so I am very glad I won this time. I had a strong desire to win this year, so I felt relieved!

–How did you feel during the match?

Miwa：I felt pressured before the tournament, but during the matches I was able to concentrate on my own play. I was able to go into the match thinking, “I won’t lose, I will win.”

Table tennis is a psychological game. I’m happy when I can outwin my opponents

–You started playing table tennis seriously at the age of 2. Do you remember how you fell in love with the sport?

Miwa：I have been playing table tennis since before I can remember, but when I look back at photos and videos, I always see myself very happy when I win, so I think I like the moment when I win the most. There were times when I lost and cried, but now I can look at losing as a sign that I still have areas in which I can grow, and I can be positive about it.

–I see, you have grown from your defeat. What do you like about table tennis?

Miwa：I feel glad that I am playing table tennis when I win! Table tennis is a psychological game, so outsmarting your opponent by reading their moves is really enjoyable.

Back when I was still in elementary school, I had good table tennis skills, but my mentality was still immature. I had a weak desire to win. Things changed when I moved to junior high, and started playing matches against adult players. My desire toward the game changed, and I developed an attitude of “I’m going to do my best without giving up,” which helped me gain confidence.

–Do you have a pre-game routine or a rule you put on yourself?

Miwa：Before games, I stretch and dance while listening to my favorite K-pop music, often songs by TWICE, the group that made me fall in love with K-pop, but lately I’ve been listening to a lot of different groups and trying to memorize just the chorus.

I change the music I listen to depending on my mood. During the All Japan Table Tennis Championships, I listened to NewJeans’ new songs “OMG” and “Ditto” to get hyped.

–What do you consider your strengths as a table tennis player?

Miwa：In terms of technique, I have strong confidence in my backhand! Even my coaches often tell me that I have a good backhand. Other than technique, I think my strength is that I can play cheerfully and energetically.

Always be positive with everything

–Is there anything you keep in mind to be positive in your daily life?

Miwa：I try not to see anything in a negative way. I try to look at the positive aspects of seemingly negative things and think, “There is something to be gained by overcoming this.”

–It is important to think positively, but how do you get through tough times?

Miwa：This clears my mind and makes me feel refreshed and ready to do my best. My family has always been there to support me, so they are the ones I can rely on the most. In the past, when I have had a hard time, I have overcome it together by talking with my family and coaches rather than trying to solve it by myself.

–What do you usually talk about with your family?

Miwa：We often talk about technical stuff when it comes to table tennis, but other than that, I talk about the things I want and the places I want to visit! I live in a dormitory now and have many matches, so it’s hard to go out for fun, but I have been to amusement parks and shopping before!

–Finally, what would you like to challenge or do in the future?

Miwa：I want to try my best for next year’s Paris Olympics. It is not easy to win against adult athletes, but I want to go into the games with the spirit of challenging everything. I also like to eat, so I want to eat delicious food from all over Japan. For example, I have always said rice is my favorite food, so I would like to try rice from Niigata Prefecture, haha.

Miwa has been raising expectations even higher with her victory in the All Japan Table Tennis Championships (Junior Division). It was evident that she loves and enjoys table tennis and always gives in her best!

At the World Table Tennis Star Contender Goa (India) held in this month, she paired up with Miyuu Nagasaki and won the women’s doubles title despite the fact that it was a senior world tournament . In addition, she paired with Shunsuke Togami to win second place in the mixed doubles, and third place in the women’s singles!

SUNNY SIDE UP will continue to support Miwa! We hope you will all look forward to her future!