Table Tennis Life in Japan
USA Table Tennis - usatt.org, Wed, Feb 22, 2006
...I trained with the more advanced youth groups, where the age range was from 10 years the early 20s. It was pretty hard to keep up with these guys. Not only did they have mad skills, but the training was more intense with more jogging, pushups, sit-ups, squats, and a totally new exercise - laps around the table. I had to do laps from one side of the net to the other and beat my opponent who was on the other side of the table. The first person to do 20 laps wins. On Wednesdays, the club holds open junior tournaments, with some of the best juniors participating. One guy was only 11 years old and he was already on Japan's junior national team. I have never seen anybody so small with so much attitude. With his national team jersey and bleached hair, the tot would double pump his tiny fist, stomp his foot, jump up and down, wave his paddle, and yell 'Cho!' after winning every point. If he had to lose, he would step away from a table, and give one of the longest rants, which I would be terrified to translate. Upon returning, he would finish up games in short, methodical steps, always ahead of his opponent. It was like watching a Samurai version of Mini-Me from 'Austin Powers' at work....more...
