In the 2024 ITTF Table Tennis Men's and Women's World Cup held in Macao on April 15~21, Japanese players Tomokazu Haramoto and Miwa Haramoto won the bronze medals in men's singles and women's singles respectively. The two became the first brother and sister pair in World Cup history to win a medal together, and at the age of 15, she surpassed the record of 2016 tournament champion Miu Hirano (then 16) to become the youngest player in World Cup history to finish in the top four. Miwa Zhangmoto, who ended her journey to this World Cup, was interviewed by Japanese media after returning home.
The 2024 ITTF Table Tennis Men's and Women's World Cup Women's Singles Bronze Medalist is the winner of the women's singles
Q.What do you look back at the conference?
Miwa Zhangmoto: I didn't expect to be able to play like this at the conference, and I didn't know that I would get a medal. At first, I just tried to get through the qualifiers as the top team in the group, but now I think about it.
Q.The main reason for winning a medal
Miwa Zhang: The fight against China's Wang Yidi came in the first round of the knockout round. It's not like we didn't have a chance to win the last time we faced each other, so this time I feel like I'm confident and prepared. I didn't expect to win against her in the end, and Dias, who faced her across the net in the next round, was a strong opponent who swept me in the last match, so I think the hard work in these two matches is closely related to the final medal.
Wang Yidi made Zhang Benmeihe play confident
Q.About the first victory over a top Chinese player
Miwa Zhangmoto: Because I won once, although I fell behind 0-2 in the semi-finals against Wang Manyu, I don't think there is anything to be afraid of. Although it is difficult to get a game and score a point no matter which player you play against, it is definitely a growth for me to find the feeling of playing against a Chinese player.
Q.About being the youngest medalist
Miwa Haramoto: I was incredulous to learn that there would be a medal and a commendation ceremony after winning the match against Dias.
The Zhang brothers and sisters who reached the semifinals together at the 2024 Macau World Cup
Q.The siblings won a World Cup medal for the first time together
Miwa Zhangmoto: I've been catching up with my brother, so I think it's great to be able to stand on the podium and win a medal like this. Since it's a brother and sister, it's impossible to be compared anyway, but after all, it's a brother and sister, so I feel that it doesn't matter if I lose. Of course, I want to surpass him, but I also respect him in my heart (Tomokazu Zhangmoto), the results he has achieved so far are very powerful, if you can't surpass him, it doesn't matter, just follow the established plan and follow your own path.