Honoka Hashimoto's Basic Chop Swing [Forehand Chop] (Part 1)

THE CHOPPER. HASHIMOTO Honoka

As of June 2026, she is ranked No. 13 in the world. Honoka Hashimoto can be called the world’s strongest Chop player at this point. In the third match of the China vs. Japan Final at the 2026 World Championships London in May 2026, she defeated Kuai Man, showing her strength and potential as a Chop player.
Let’s introduce her basic Chop technique, filmed in August 2025, with her own commentary.

PHOTO Remy Gros / Manabu Nakagawa

Model / Commentary
Honoka Hashimoto

Born July 5, 1998, from Aichi Prefecture. She started playing table tennis at Takushin Club at age 5. Bronze medalist in women’s doubles at the 2019 World Championships and winner of women’s doubles at WTT Finals Fukuoka 2024. She won her first WTT Singles title at WTT Contender Taiyuan. Right-handed shakehand, forehand rubber on the chop side, backhand short pips. World ranking No. 13 (June 2026)

How strong can the world’s spotlighted “Honoka Hashimoto” get!?

　Over the course of eight WTT events in one year, from Feeder Otohmoultz in August 2024 to Contender Almaty in September 2025, Honoka Hashimoto faced Chinese players 19 times.

　Her record was an impressive 17 wins and 2 losses, with the two losses coming against Sun Yingsha at Champions Yokohama and Wang Manyu at Europe Smash. During that same period, those were the only two matches Hashimoto lost in WTT to foreign players, including Chinese players. The only other losses were against Japanese players, and no Japanese player in recent years comes to mind who has shown such a high win rate against overseas opponents.

　In world-class women’s table tennis, where shakehand attacking play with a more masculine style has become mainstream, Hashimoto’s style of cutting down strong opponents as a Chop player is drawing attention from around the world.

　Fans are captivated not only in Japan but also overseas by her beautiful Chops that return shot after shot, and by her back Smashes unleashed by suddenly stepping in whenever there is an opening. At Europe Smash and Contender Almaty as well, cheers of “Hashimoto! Hashimoto!” could be heard from the stands.

　Before explaining the technique, let’s first look at Hashimoto’s grip. It is a slightly deep but orthodox grip, making both Chops and offense easy to execute.

Honoka Hashimoto’s Grip

“As for my grip, I don’t have any particular obsession with it. I hold it naturally so it doesn’t become a habit. I open the racket face just a little so that Chops and Pushes are easier to make.” (Hashimoto)