BOOK
From Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Jun Mizutani’s “Players who lose do useless practice”
A Player wants to be encouraged. They go back to the bench wanting someone to push them forward when they are unsure, but what are they supposed to do if the coach is unsure too?
Chapter 4: What I Want From a Coach to Win
The difference between Japanese and Chinese coaches. If Japanese coaches reach world-class level, Japanese Players will become even stronger
Japanese coaches tend to hold back with me. I can sense that they think I can probably handle things on my own even without being told much. But in fact, I want them to say more.
If what I’m told is wrong or different from my own thinking, I say what I think. That kind of exchange between a Player and coach is necessary, and I don’t think arguing is a bad thing either, but Japanese coaches tend to pull back at that point.
My current coach, Qiu Jianxin, and I discuss many things. And when I meet senior figures in the table tennis world, such as past champions, they often give me all kinds of advice.
I can’t listen to and act on everything one by one. But among all those pieces of advice and conversations, there are things that make me think, “That makes sense.” It’s not that I refuse to accept anything just because I’m a champion; sometimes there are words hidden in there that can give me a clue. There are words that are useful not only for table tennis, but also for life as a person.
Looking at China, world champions and Olympic gold medalists take advice from head coach Liu Guoliang. They stand there stiffly, almost like middle school students, listening. I think that’s a good thing, and at the same time, there are moments when I envy it. That is probably because head coach Liu Guoliang knows table tennis inside and out, understands top Players, and his advice carries real weight. I think it’s not just a matter of the national system, but also because there is a sense of respect for the coach.
I believe that if Japan also has world-class Players become coaches and give advice to Players, the overall top level will rise even more. Japan has no shortage of promising children. If the level of coaches improves further, they will be able to compete with China as well.
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