With the Chinese table tennis team sweeping all five gold medals at the Paris Olympics, the competition and confrontation in the table tennis events during the Paris Olympic cycle have finally come to an end. From the results, the Chinese table tennis team emerged as the sole winner. Of course, such an outcome is bound to be met with dissatisfaction from some quarters. For instance, the Japanese table tennis team certainly has its own aspirations. However, the Paris Olympics are now a thing of the past, and a new Olympic cycle has arrived! The Japanese table tennis team has also made adjustments, including a change in coaching staff, in the hope of breaking China's dominance at the Los Angeles Olympics.
Recently, the Japan Table Tennis Association announced the appointment of their new head coaches. The men's team will be led by Kishikawa Kento, while the women's team will be coached by Nakazawa Toshio. They are set to officially take up their positions in April this year. Upon learning that Nakazawa Toshio will become the head coach of the Japanese women's table tennis team, many fans are worried about the prospects for the Chinese women's team. Why is this so? Please read on!
Firstly, Nakazawa Toshio's coaching abilities are commendable. In 2016, Hirano Miu won the gold medal at the Women's World Cup, and in 2017, Ishikawa Kasumi clinched the mixed doubles title at the World Table Tennis Championships. Nakazawa Toshio was the mentor to both Hirano Miu and Ishikawa Kasumi. Including current players like Tomokazu Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara, many have been under his tutelage. Many domestic fans have remarked that Nakazawa Toshio is akin to Liu Guoliang, the mentor of the Chinese table tennis team.
Of course, our fans are no strangers to Nakazawa Toshio. He was once Chinese, originally named Wang Rui, hailing from Hebei province. He grew up with Liu Zhiqiang, a current coach for the national team! However, Wang Rui did not demonstrate significant prowess as an athlete, which is why he did not make it into the national team. Wang Rui's career was not long, and he was a disciple of Xiao Yang, the mentor of Sun Yingsha, making him her senior brother. However, he retired at the age of 24 and went to Japan, changing his name to Nakazawa Toshio.
Secondly, as a Chinese person, Nakazawa Toshio is undoubtedly very familiar with the training methods for domestic athletes! In other words, there should be no secrets left for the Chinese table tennis team in front of Nakazawa Toshio! Our main players will also be thoroughly analyzed by Nakazawa Toshio. Once the corresponding tactics are formulated, they will pose a significant challenge to the Chinese table tennis team.
At the press conference, Nakazawa Toshio expressed his honor at being appointed as the head coach of the Japanese women's table tennis team. He believes that the Japanese women's team is very close in strength to the Chinese women's team. The Japanese women's team will compete with the Chinese women's team for gold medals.
Honestly, Nakazawa Toshio now has the confidence, after all, among the top ten women's singles players in the world, they also have four. Just like our national women's team. Although we occupy the top four spots, our lead is gradually diminishing! Of course, the Chinese women's table tennis team need not be overly anxious. As long as the players follow the plan and work diligently, I believe the championship will still belong to the Chinese table tennis team! Do you agree?