14-year-old Harimoto becomes youngest table tennis champion in Japan

TOKYO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- 14-year-old Tomokazu Harimoto became Japan's youngest national table tennis singles champion after beating Jun Mizutani 4-2 here on Sunday.

Harimoto defeated Rio Olympics bronze medalist Mizutani 11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 11-2, 6-11, 11-5 in the men's final of the All Japan Table Tennis Championships in Tokyo.

Harimoto also defeated Mizutani at last year's world championships in Germany.

The 14-year-old champion said that he wants to boost this momentum and win a gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Harimoto was born and raised in Japan, while both of his parents are Chinese immigrants and former table tennis players.

Harimoto started training since he was very little and was also the youngest to win a singles title at the World Junior Table Tennis Championships in 2016.

Also on Sunday, 17-year-old Mima Ito defeated Hirano 4-1 to claim the women's singles title following titles in mixed doubles and women's doubles.

The All Japan Table Tennis Championships this year was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium from Jan. 15 to 21.