Photo/Illutration Miwa Harimoto, left, and Miu Hirano speak at a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 5, following their selection to Japan’s national table tennis team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Kensuke Suzuki)

Fifteen-year-old Miwa Harimoto secured the final spot for the women’s national table tennis team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, being selected over Olympic medalist Mima Ito.

The Japan Table Tennis Association announced on Feb. 5 the three male and female players to represent the country in the Paris Games this summer.

Harimoto will join Hina Hayata, 23, and Miu Hirano, 23, for the team event.

Finishing first and second respectively in the association’s point-based selection system, Hayata and Hirano will also compete in the singles.

Although finishing fourth, the rapidly rising Harimoto was selected over Ito, who won three medals in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, gold in the mixed doubles, silver in the team event and bronze in the singles.

The 23-year-old Japanese ace missed out on competing in her third consecutive Olympics.

For the men’s team, the association selected Tomokazu Harimoto, 20, Miwa's brother, Shunsuke Togami, 22, and Hiroto Shinozuka, 20.

Tomokazu Harimoto and Hayata, the world's second-ranked pair, will play in the mixed doubles.

Except for Tomokazu Harimoto and Hirano, the rest of the team will be making their Olympic debut in Paris.

To qualify for the Paris Games, Japan must reach the quarterfinals at the world championships to be held in South Korea this month.

SELECTED WITH BROTHER: 'IT WAS MY GOAL'

Miwa Harimoto, who said that the Olympics were "nothing but a dream," will be able to compete with her brother, Tomokazu.

"It was my goal, I'm really happy," she said with a smile at a news conference on Feb. 5. "But I'm more nervous and excited (than being happy), I want to grow every day so that I can be proud of myself at the Paris Olympics."

SELECTION BASED ON POTENTIAL, WITH AN EYE ON CHINA

The third spot for the team event was the focus of attention. While Shinozuka, who was third in the selection points, was chosen for the men's team as expected, Miwa Harimoto, who was fourth, overtook Ito, who was third, in the selection process.

The surprise selection is part of the team's strategy with an eye on powerhouse China, which has dominated the sport.

Miwa Harimoto, a middle school senior, has shown remarkable growth in her game over the past year.

Since the fall, she has defeated the top Chinese players in doubles events. In singles, she narrowly lost 2-3 to world No. 1 Sun Yingsha at an international tournament in December.

"I've never seen a 15-year-old play like that, she has a lot of potential,” said Takehiro Watanabe, director of the women's national team. “A gold medal is the ultimate goal for Japan and she is a player who can win in Paris."

On the other hand, Ito has had many recent matches where she struggled against Chinese players, according to Watanabe. Ito also suffered from back pain leading up to the selection process. 

After missing out on a singles spot at the national championships in January, Ito expressed uncertainty about competing in the Paris Olympics.

“I haven't decided yet whether I'll compete even if I'm selected (for the third spot),” she said. 

This comment led some fans and media to question the Japanese superstar's commitment to the upcoming Games.

"We judged that Harimoto was slightly better,” said Watanabe. “We believe this is the best selection," stressing that Ito’s remarks didn’t influence the decision.

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