Mima Ito of Japan serves the ball in the women's team final against China during the Tokyo Olympics on August 5 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: VCG

For many Chinese table tennis fans, the defeat in the mixed doubles final at the Tokyo Olympics was a massive disappointment, but hard work pays off for Japan's table tennis star Mima Ito, who captured three medals at her home Olympics.

Pairing with Japanese table tennis veteran Jun Mizutani, Ito made history by winning the Olympics host country Japan's first-ever Olympic table tennis gold medal, stunning China's world champions Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen 4-3 in a tense mixed doubles final.

But the ambitious 20-year-old suffered a straight sets defeat to China's promising ace Sun Yingsha in the women's singles semifinals, but managed to win a bronze medal after defeating Yu Mengyu of Singapore in the third place match, becoming the first Japanese woman to win an Olympic table tennis singles medal.

"I have set up the ambition to overcome Sun during my preparations," Ito told the Global Times on Thursday in an exclusive interview. "I have improved a lot at the Olympics but it seems Sun improved more than I did, that's why I failed to win."

After the women's singles semifinal defeat, Ito was again defeated in a match by Sun in the women's team final, where she conceded 3-1. But it also brought Japan a silver medal in the sport. 

"I think Sun can facilitate my personal improvement," Ito said. "Generally speaking, it is the Chinese players that could push me to improve, as every match against them, no matter win or lose, is beneficial to me."

The ­Shizuoka native, who took up table tennis at the age of 2, said she has to continue to hone her skills as Chinese table tennis athletes are also growing. 

"I had to practice day after day since a very early age to defeat the dominating Chinese players. My skills grow but the Chinese players are also growing," said Ito. "I have to do whatever it takes in practices, and that's why my chances of winning against Chinese players are increasing."

Ito has insisted that she wants to play again against Sun, who recently surpassed her in the world rankings, in the future.

"I want to play against Sun one more time," Ito said. "I want to win. But it takes not only resolve but solid performances to win matches."

Opponent and friend



Outside of competitions, Ito and Sun, both aged 20, are friends.

A 2019 video clip depicting Ito, a fan of Chinese cuisine, offering Sun onigiri, a Japanese dish made from white rice formed into triangular shapes, went viral in China during the Tokyo Olympics. 

However, the pressure and tense match schedule at the Olympics had prevented them from talking with each other as much as they used to be.

"We met very rarely at the Olympics but we did meet a lot at the tours," Ito said, referring to the world table tennis governing body ITTF's series event. 

She revealed that Sun is also a top-level player in the hand game rock-paper-scissors, which "none of the Japanese athletes have won" over Sun.

Speaking of the chance of pairing with a Chinese paddler in the future, Ito said she prefers to play with left handers, as she won the mixed doubles race by partnering with Mizutani.

"At the national team I only play with left-hand players, so I would like to choose Xu Xin, and maybe Wang Chuqin who is as old as me." 

Wang is a reserve player for China in the men's team event at the Olympics, but did not play.

Not a poster girl 

Some Chinese fans consider Ito as a new poster girl for Japanese table tennis for her cute appearance, as former Olympic medalist Ai Fukuhara, who enjoys wide popularity in China, faded away after retiring.

Ito prefers not to be remembered as a "new Fukuhara" but Ito herself. 

"Fukuhara is a predecessor in table tennis who has contributed a lot to improving the level of Japan's table tennis," Ito said. "But I am who I am. I am very grateful that there are many Chinese fans supporting me."

The others chose to believe that Ito is far more dauntless than her appearance, as her serves are often considered "strange" but "lethal." 

"I have lost so many matches to Chinese players since my childhood. But I have to continue practicing day by day to win, even if I could win only one or two matches," Ito said. 

Ito's Olympic campaign also saw her social media account flooded by malicious content, especially after she upset China in the mixed doubles final. But she shrugged them off.

"Though there were some negative comments, as long as there are more people watching table tennis, and more fans know me playing table tennis, I am happy," Ito said. 

She believes China and Japan, where table tennis enjoys wide popularity, could stimulate each other to put world table tennis to a higher level.

"Of course Chinese players are redoubtable, but every time I hear people praising my skills, I am delighted."

"My goal is always to win every game I play. That pushes me forward," Ito said. "But it is the Chinese players who I enjoy playing against, and I want to have more games with them."