Step by step as 2019 progressed, the results achieved, rose in stature.

They won the junior girls’ doubles titles at both the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships in Ulanbaator and at the NSDF World Junior Championship in Korat; that in itself was a most notable achievement, especially considering at the time Miyuu Kihara was 15 years old and Miyu Nagasaki only 17 years of age.

Also you can add the scenario that on both occasions the might of China was present.

Overshadowed

However, those performances were somewhat overshadowed by their success at ITTF Challenge Series tournaments and to a much greater extent on the ITTF World Tour.

At ITTF Challenge Series tournaments, they won the women’s doubles titles in Croatia and Slovenia; on the ITTF World Tour they were semi-finalists in Hong Kong, Japan and Australia before ending the year on the highest note possible.

In October, they were the runners up in Germany; in November, the winners in Austria before being successful in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou at the Agricultural Bank of China ITTF World Tour Grand Finals. Notaby, it was a tournament in which they caused an upset that exceeded all the surprises they had realised earlier in the year. At the semi-final stage they beat the host nation’s Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu, eight months earlier crowned world championships in Budapest, before securing the title at the expense of Korea Republic’s Jeon Jihee and Yang Haeun.

Lifts tension

Success upon success but the important factor is that between points, they look at each other and they smile. I’m no sports psychologist but does that not reduce the tension of the situation make them more relaxed, more able to extol their skills.

It may or may not be the scenario but one things is certain, even at the very highest levels, they show that sport is to be enjoyed, they raise spirits and if at the moment your spirits need a boost, try a cure, just click below and watch Miyuu Kihara and Miyuu Nagasaki.