Haruna Hashimoto: My Goal is to Win on the Biggest Stage, the Olympics
Haruna Hashimoto, the Japanese chopper who defeated Chinese player Kuai Man at the World Table Tennis Championships, has expressed her strong desire to win on the biggest stage: the Olympics. In a recent interview with Takuoka Kingdom, she revealed her thoughts on the intense matches and her Olympic aspirations. 
Hashimoto’s focus is set on the 2026 Los Angeles Olympics. Commenting on the selection process based on world rankings, she stated, “Since we aim to win in international competitions, I believe players who achieve results in such tournaments should be selected. Overseas players must be defeated.” She firmly declared, “Since I play table tennis, I want to win. If there’s a place I want to win, it’s the biggest stage. That’s the Olympics.” Her words reflect a deep passion for reaching the pinnacle of the sport. 
During the London Team World Championships, Hashimoto faced Chinese rising star Kuai Man in a match surrounded by a hostile crowd. Recalling the intense rallies, she smiled and said, “I felt like I lacked a decisive finishing move, which was a problem. But my opponent didn’t make mistakes and never gave up. It was really tough as a player on the court.” After enduring rallies lasting 30 to 40 shots, she finally secured the victory, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief. 
Despite Japan winning the silver medal, Hashimoto was deeply moved by her teammate, Hina Hayata, who was in tears on the bench. “Seeing Hina cry, I thought, ‘You don’t have to carry all the responsibility alone,’ and I also shed tears. But I believe this match will be a turning point for her to become even stronger.” She emphasized the importance of team bonds and trust in their star player. 
To achieve her goal of defeating China and reaching new heights, Hashimoto highlighted the importance of taking the initiative. “No matter the situation, it’s crucial to be proactive and psychologically pressure the opponent. As a chopper, I can gradually wear down their mentality during the match.” 
Born on July 5, 1998, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Hashimoto began playing table tennis at the age of five at the “Takushin” club run by her family, with her grandfather as her first coach. 
Her career highlights include:
- Winning a bronze medal in women’s doubles at the 2019 World Table Tennis Championships with her partner, Sato Hitomi.
- Claiming the women’s singles and doubles titles at the WTT Challenger Series Ostrava Open in August 2024, marking the start of her impressive 11-match winning streak against Chinese players.
- Defeating former world champion Zhu Yuling 4-0 in the final of the WTT Regular Challenge Series Taiyuan Open in April 2025 to win the women’s singles title.
- Delivering a standout performance in the World Table Tennis Championships team final in May 2025, defeating Chinese player Kuai Man in the third singles match, although Japan ultimately settled for silver.
