[Dancing on the World Stage ~Dancing Around the World, Part 2] Honoka Hashimoto: “I want to win on the biggest stage. That’s the Olympics.”

“Since I play Table tennis, I want to win. When I think about where I want to win, I want to win on the biggest stage. That’s the Olympics.”

■Profile　Honoka Hashimoto
Born July 5, 1998, from Aichi Prefecture. She started playing Table tennis at age 5 and received coaching at the Takushin Club, founded by her grandfather. After attending Shitennoji Habigaoka Junior High School, she went on to Shitennoji High School, finishing runner-up at the Inter-High in her second and third years. After graduating from high school, she joined Miki House and is currently affiliated with Denso. In 2019, she paired with Hitomi Sato to place third in the women’s doubles at the World Championships, and in the World Team Championships in London in May 2026, she helped Japan finish as runner-up. Right-handed shakehand forehand reverse-pimpled backhand chop type, world ranking No. 13 (announced June 15, 2026)

The match against Kuai Man was really tough haha. It was a match where I really couldn’t afford to lose focus.

●－At last, the Final against China drew near, and as the matches went on, more and more Chinese supporters filled the venue. On the final day, it was packed to capacity.

Hashimoto　It was amazing. The atmosphere was completely away from home, but I’m used to that, and there were so many supporters for Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu. My Opponent was Kuai Man, so I didn’t really mind the cheering that much. At first, when I did Chop, the crowd would murmur a bit, and that bothered me slightly, but after a while I was able to stay focused and play the Match.

●－Were you told the day before which number you would play in for the Final lineup?

Hashimoto　I was told I would go in third, and since there was a strong chance China would field Kuai Man or Wang Yidi, I was told to prepare for both. I think China may have chosen to play Kuai Man, taking future experience into account as well.