Tomokazu Harimoto Declares Loyalty: Support from Home in Japan Gives Me Confidence—Will Do Everything to Beat China

As the World Table Tennis Championships approach, Tomokazu Harimoto has drawn attention with his recent statements. He shared photos on social media after receiving recognition from a local Japanese government and expressed gratitude for the support of the public, while also setting his sights on winning gold.

Earlier this month, Tomokazu Harimoto visited Miyagi Prefecture to receive a special commendation—his fourth from the region. The award was linked to his victory at the WTT Finals last year. During the ceremony, he showed humility and reiterated his determination to win medals for Japan at the World Championships and the Olympics.

In his post, he wrote: “I always feel the support from my hometown, which gives me great reassurance. I’m truly grateful and will continue to work hard to earn such recognition again.”

At a recent media session, he also expressed confidence in Japan’s chances, stating his ambition to help the team reach world No.1.

However, in terms of performance, despite being ranked world No.4, Tomokazu Harimoto has yet to win a title in six tournaments during the first four months of 2026. Whether he can turn his form around at the World Championships remains a key question.