Harimoto Suffers Six-Game Collapse, Moved to Tears as Opponent Offers Consolation

On the evening of December 6, the final match of the second stage of the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup saw Japan face off against France in a high-pressure showdown. In a dramatic turn of events, Tomokazu Harimoto lost six consecutive games, becoming a key factor in Japan’s narrow 7–8 defeat. After the match, members of the French team, including Gauzy,主動 stepped forward to console the visibly devastated Harimoto.

Japan’s overall performance that day had already been under strain. They first suffered a loss against China, then unexpectedly fell to France. The defeat to France was particularly surprising, as Japan had built a commanding 5–1 lead after the first two matches, appearing firmly in control of the contest.

However, momentum shifted sharply when Harimoto entered the men’s singles and men’s doubles events. He went on to lose all six games across those two matches, each by a 0–3 scoreline. The sudden collapse weighed heavily on him. After the fifth match concluded and both teams lined up to shake hands, Harimoto’s disappointment was clear to see as he greeted the French players.

Noticing his distress, Gauzy paused during the handshake, spoke with Harimoto for a moment, offered words of encouragement, and gently patted him on the head in a moving display of sportsmanship. The simple yet heartfelt gesture brought a brief smile to Harimoto’s face, creating one of the most touching scenes of the night.

Following the match, a photo of Gauzy comforting Harimoto quickly spread across social media, with one fan asking, “What was Gauzy thinking at that moment?” Gauzy soon replied in the comments: “I think we all felt sorry for Harimoto today. Seeing what he went through truly broke my heart.”

Later, in an interview with Japanese media, Harimoto addressed fans with a sincere apology. “I failed to secure victories and put the team in a difficult position,” he said. “Not only did I lose in singles, but I also affected my partner negatively in doubles. I truly reflect on this. In the end, it comes down to my own shortcomings.”