Miwa Harimoto
Japan
Japan
Miwa Harimoto is a rising star in the world of ping pong. Miwa was introduced to table tennis at a very young age and has developed a passion for the sport. Her dedication and hard work paid off as she climbed up the ranks and became one of the top players in Japan. She is widely regarded as one of the best young female table tennis players in the world. Miwa Harimoto is known for her attacking style of play, using her right-handed shake grip to deliver powerful forehand and backhand shots. Her ability to adapt to different playing styles and outmaneuver her opponents has made her a tough competitor on the international stage.
Quick Facts
Biography
Miwa Harimoto is a talented table tennis player from Japan who has made her mark on the international stage. Miwa was born on June 16, 2008, in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. She is the daughter of former table tennis players and coaches Yuichi Harimoto and Yoko Harimoto. Her older brother, the accomplished table tennis player Tomokazu Harimoto, took home the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in addition to numerous previous victories on the ITTF World Tour.
At the age of two, Harimoto Miwa began playing table tennis, and by the time she was six, she had placed third in the All-Japan Bembi championship. The next year, she took home the championship. In the second grade of elementary school, Harimoto won the girls' singles title in 2015, and she later earned the silver medal in 2016.
Because of her talent, Harimoto was formally chosen for the Japan national squad in April 2018. She won the women's doubles in the Japanese Cadet Championship that same year. In Taicang City, she won the mini-cadet championship at the China Junior and Cadet Open competition.
Personal Life
On June 16, 2008, Miwa Harimoto was born in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. She is the daughter of Yuichi Harimoto and Yoko Harimoto, both of whom have played and coached table tennis in the past. Tomokazu Harimoto, her older brother and a professional table tennis player, won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has won other ITTF World Tour tournaments.
Social Media
Miwa Harimoto has a big fan base on Instagram and is active on social media. She constantly updates her followers on her training, tournaments, and personal life with images and updates. Also, her social media pages list sponsorships and endorsements from businesses like Butterfly.
Career
Miwa Harimoto started playing table tennis at the age of two and obtained Japanese citizenship in 2014 with her father and older brother, Tomokazu Harimoto. Since 2018, she has been signed with the Japanese professional league team T-League - Kinoshita Abyell, Kanagawa. Miwa has an impressive list of achievements, including:
- Becoming the absolute champion of the World Youth Table Tennis Championships-2021 among cadets;
- Winning the doubles championship, silver medal in singles, and the bronze medal in the team junior category at the next tournament in 2022 in Rades.
She also won the bronze medal of the 2019 Asian Youth Championship in the team category among cadets. Harimoto's successes continue to increase, having won multiple titles in tournaments across different categories. For players who travel to different venues, use the best ping pong paddles holders, like the Joola bundle set to ensure your equipment stays safe. Miwa Harimoto has had a relatively short career, but her accomplishments at such a young age are impressive.
Playing Style
Miwa Harimoto is a right-handed player who uses a shakehand grip. With a combination of powerful forehand and backhand strokes, Miwa dominates her opponents with ease, leaving them in the dust. And at such a young age, it’s impressive how precise and tactical she is in her gameplay. Her choice of equipment has significantly impacted her performance. According to most reviews, the sturdiest model must for Miwa's aggressive playing style is the Butterfly Tenergy 64 rubbers instead of the Dignics she uses.
Achievements
Miwa has made impressive progress in her table tennis career and has achieved several notable feats. Despite being that young, she has already become a force to be reckoned with in the sport. She has consistently performed at a high level in various tournaments and has won several accolades.
World Youth Table Tennis Championships
Miwa won an astonishing three titles in the U15 and U19 singles and doubles categories at the WTT Young Star Contender Doha-2022 in 2022. At the WTT Youth Contender Berlin-2022 and WTT Youth Contender Platja D'Aro-2022, she extended her winning run.
In addition to her outstanding achievements in youth tournaments, Miwa Harimoto has also made her mark in the adult table tennis world. In a remarkable display of skill, Harimoto and her brother, Tomokazu Harimoto, won the mixed doubles title at the WTT Contender Tunis-2022. By the way, if you're interested in the Harimoto family, you can also check out the profile of Tomokazu Harimoto. She also reached the finals in the women's singles event. Harimoto's incredible record boasts a triple win in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at the 2021 World Youth Championship.
Asian Youth Championship
Miwa has certainly made her presence known in the Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships. Harimoto continued to impress in 2019, winning the National Cadet Singles Table Tennis Championship and becoming the bronze medalist at the 2019 Asian Youth Championship in the team category among cadets. Although Harimoto only made it to the 1/16 finals in the cadet category at the 2019 Asian Youth Championship, she won the bronze medal in the women's doubles category. She used the Dignics 05 rubbers, although the Tenergy 80 would have provided an ideal balance between spin and speed and would have made the match easier for Miwa.
Miwa Harimoto’s Ranking
Despite Miwa Harimoto's age, she has already earned a top 50 world ranking. As of December 2022, Miwa Harimoto's ranking was at 45.
Net Worth and Income
As a young professional athlete, Miwa Harimoto’s net worth and income are not publicly disclosed. However, it is safe to assume that she earns a considerable amount of money from prize winnings, sponsorships, and endorsements. She is sponsored by Japanese table tennis equipment manufacturer Butterfly, which provides her with equipment and clothing.
Miwa Harimoto Equipment
Videos
Final Thoughts
Miwa Harimoto has made a name for herself in the world of table tennis thanks to her exceptional talent, perseverance, and dedication to the game. She will undoubtedly continue to achieve great things in the future; her accomplishments at her age are proof of her talent and hard work. It will be fascinating to see what professional milestones she will hit as she keeps competing and honing her skills. Because of her superb playing skill, fierce competitiveness, and supportive family, Miwa Harimoto is an outstanding role model for young athletes around.