The Japanese Table Tennis Association has made significant changes to its coaching staff as preparations ramp up for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. During a press conference held on January 19, 2025, it was announced کہ Rui Nakazawa, aged 45, will take the helm of the women's national table tennis team, replacing Takehiro Watanabe. Simultaneously, Seiya Ishikawa, 37, was introduced as the new men's team coach, succeeding Kunihito Tase.
Nakazawa, who is originally from China, expressed his gratitude and sense of responsibility for the new role, stating, "I'm honored to take on such an important position, and I feel the weight of the responsibility. I want to build on the invaluable experiences of the previous coaches and create an even stronger team. My goal is to achieve at least a silver medal in the team event at the Los Angeles Olympics, and I aim to increase the number of personal medals as well." Nakazawa also made it clear, "The theme is gold medals only!"
With experience coaching at various levels, Nakazawa previously worked with Olympians like Kasumi Ishikawa and Sayaka Hirano during his time with the Mikihouse Table Tennis Club. He later became the coach of the women’s national team and managed the JOC Elite Academy since 2017. His accolades include leading the Kanagawa Prefecture team to its first league championship during the 2022 season.
The women's team under Watanabe had significant success prior to the coaching transition, capturing silver at the Tokyo Olympics and again at the subsequent World Championships, solidifying their status among the top contenders globally. Their gold medal win at the Asian Championships was particularly notable, as it marked Japan's first gold medal in the team event in 50 years.
On the men’s front, Ishikawa, who represented Japan at both the 2008 Beijing and the 2012 London Olympics, is now focused on enhancing the team’s competitive edge following their fourth-place finish at the last Olympics. His competitive experience abroad, particularly with the German Bundesliga, adds a valuable perspective to the national coaching staff.
“Having missed out on medals at the Paris Olympics, achieving podium finishes will be the theme for the men’s team moving forward,” Ishikawa commented during the announcement. His appointment aims to revitalize and charge the momentum of the men’s team heading toward the Olympic Games.
Both coaches will begin their new roles officially on April 1, 2025, embarking on strategic plans to develop their respective teams over the next four years. Their focus not only lies on immediate competitions but also fostering the next generation of athletes within the sport.
Both Nakazawa and Ishikawa bring with them aspirations and ambitions to not just maintain, but exceed the legacy of their predecessors. The transition reflects the Japanese Table Tennis Association’s commitment to excellence as they aim for the highest honors at the Los Angeles Olympics.
With high hopes from the table tennis community, the anticipation and preparations for the upcoming Olympic games have officially begun. These strategic appointments come as the Japanese table tennis teams hold their position among the top international competitors, making the discussions around these changes even more pivotal as they approach the 2028 Games.