'Excitement over the Japanese Archipelago'! Defeating the 'Great Wall of China' with a championship victory for the first time in 60 years: "Japan has finally surpassed China" — Behind-the-scenes of the ace's remarks [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japanese men's table tennis team has reached the summit of the Asian Games for the first time in 60 years. It was 'ace' Harimoto Tomokazu (23, Toyota Motor, world ranking No. 4) who shattered the stronghold of China, the absolute powerhouse that has dominated the Asian stage for over three decades.

On the 24th, Japan defeated the 'Great Wall of China' with a match score of 3-2 in the men's team final at Sky Hall Toyota in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, during the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Summer Asian Games, securing an emotional championship.

Japan's ascent to the top of the podium in the men's table tennis team event at the Asian Games marks the first time since the 1966 Bangkok Games — a span of 60 years — and is their third overall title.

Japan had suffered the humiliation of winning no medals at the last two Asian Games. However, this time they wrote a miracle drama on home soil.

Most notably, China had not relinquished the top spot even once from the 1994 Hiroshima Games through the recent Hangzhou Games, challenging for a ninth consecutive title. It was Japan that stopped them.

China started with a smile. Matsushima Sora (19, world ranking No. 3), who competed in the first match, took the lead 2-0 by winning the first two games against 'world No. 1' Wang Chuqin (26) using powerful backhand shots. However, amidst chaotic conditions including flash interference from spectators during the match, Matsushima began to falter. Overwhelmed by Wang Chuqin's fierce counterattack, he lost three consecutive games and suffered a comeback defeat, 2-3.

The ace Harimoto emerged as Japan's savior in this critical moment. Competing as the second player, Harimoto displayed superior skill against China's formidable teenage prodigy Yuan Luebo (19, world ranking No. 15), winning 3-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9). The match score returned to a 1-1 tie.

China's counterattack resumed. In the third match, Togami Shunsuke (25, world ranking No. 13) lost 1-3 to China's next-generation star Lin Shidong (21, world ranking No. 8). The match score shifted to a 2-1 advantage for China, putting Japan in a precarious situation where they would have to watch China win on home soil if they lost just one more game.

At this point, Harimoto stepped forward again. In the fourth match against the world's strongest player Wang Chuqin, Harimoto dominated his opponent throughout with seamless offensive and defensive transitions and powerful backhand attacks. Ultimately, he shut out Wang Chuqin 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-9) in just 22 minutes. The match score returned to a 2-2 tie.

Ultimately, the fateful fifth match arrived. Two 19-year-old prodigies clashed once more. Matsushima, who had suffered a comeback defeat in the first match and hung his head low, stepped forward as Japan's final player. China countered with Yuan Luebo. In the end, Matsushima defeated Yuan Luebo 3-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8), securing an emotional gold medal around his neck.

After the match, Harimoto could not hide his overwhelming emotions. According to Japanese media such as Chunichi Sports, Harimoto stated, "While winning itself is joyful, the true meaning lies in the fact that Japan has finally surpassed China and that we have won the team gold medal." He added, "We had been waiting for this moment for over 10 years, and seeing our dream become reality brings indescribable joy."

Regarding his match against Wang Chuqin, he recalled, "What we lacked was proof and confidence that 'we can beat China,' but we finally obtained it. From the middle of the second game onward, I became convinced we could win 3-0. To seize the momentum, I believed a complete 3-0 victory was essential. I took the initiative at every point."

Behind-the-scenes stories were also revealed. Matsushima, who sealed the final victory, said, "After leading 2-0 in the first match, I became complacent and suffered a comeback defeat, which made me feel extremely frustrated and exhausted." He continued, "Harimoto encouraged me by saying, 'I will definitely win and hand over the lead, so just get ready.' It was fortunate that we could achieve results after preparing solely to win."

Meanwhile, in the women's team final held on the same day, China decisively defeated Japan 3-0, achieving a sixth consecutive championship title. Nevertheless, Japan stopped China's dominance by winning its first gold medal in 60 years in the men's category, creating the biggest upset of the tournament in table tennis.

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*This content was translated by AI.