Japan

Anticipation is rising on Japanese shores ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. “Tokyo 2019” is very much the focus this week, in the form of the ZEN-NOH 2019 ITTF Ream World Cup, where Team Japan are sending out their strongest players to fight it out for glory. Indeed, the extra source of motivation for the women’s team – ranked number 2 in the world – will be to give their fans a preview of things to come next year.

Having reached the final of the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup in London, expectations will be very high for the women’s team event where the effervescent Mima Ito and Miu Hirano will be present, with the former still fresh off two final appearances at the 2019 ITTF World Tour Swedish and German Opens. Helping them along with their immense quality will be 2019 ITTF Challenge Thailand Open winner Hitomi Sato and double Olympic Games team medallist Kasumi Ishikawa (silver in 2012, bronze in 2016).

Hong Kong, China

For the bronze medallists at the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup in London, Team Hong Kong China will want to secure at the very least a similar finish when they arrive in Tokyo. Ranked no.4 worldwide, the women’s squad will be led by the extremely efficient Doo Hoi Kem, who specializes in team and doubles’ events.

Previously seeded third, this time Team Hong Kong China will be aware of a tougher group stage draw in Tokyo. Helping Doo along will be the experienced professional Ng Wing Nam, Rio 2016 Olympian Lee Ho Ching, Soo Wai Yam Minnie and Zhu Chengzhu. Can this dream team get the podium finish again?

Korea Republic

If there are to be some obvious challengers for the crown in Tokyo, it would be unwise to look over the team ranked 6th in the world. The Korea Republic side arriving in Japan will have some household names among their ranks. After finishing 5th at the Liebherr 2018 ITTF World Team Championships, Team Korea Republic secured their group stages position in Tokyo and will want to make it count.

Jeon Jihee has long been a role model for aspiring young players across the country, while the career highlights of Suh Hyowon are always inspiring. The upcoming kid on the block, Shin Yubin will have Yang Haeun lending her experience, as well as the youngster who has a history of beating Japanese athletes: Choi Hyojoo.

Austria

The first European challengers in this feast of talented teams across the world will be Team Austria who finished 5th at the Liebherr 2018 ITTF World Team Championships. The world no.7 side will want to keep their hopes up with the squad sent to Tokyo – and maybe even move past them.

Bronze medallist at the 2019 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup, Sofia Polcanova will endeavour to take Team Austria to the latter stages of the tournament, alongside 2012 Olympian Amelie Solja, 37-year-old veteran Liu Jia and upcoming youngster Karoline Mischek.

Ukraine

Team Ukraine will make their venture into the tournament at Tokyo with the firm mindset of upsetting the ranks and achieving an unforeseen podium finish. Starting out in the group stages, they will need to be at their very best to beat out an overwhelming competition.

The world no.11 team will be commanded by three-time Olympian Tetyana Bilenko, bronze medallist at the 2015 European Championships Margaryta Pesotska, veteran Ganna Gaponova, and Solomiya Brateyko.

Chinese Taipei

Women’s singles quarter-finalist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Cheng I-Ching will lead the way for the world no.3 team of Chinese Taipei, who will be keen to improve on last year’s quarter-final appearance in which they were defeated 0-3 by North Korea.

The final squad further comprises of Chen Szu‐Yu, shakehand grip attacker Liu Hsing‐Yin, and the vastly experienced Cheng Hsien‐Tzu and Su Pei‐Ling. Moving beyond the last eight will be the primary target and with such names on the docket, it would be imprudent to ignore their challenge.

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