Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO has the chance to become the youngest ever ITTF World Tour Champion, after the 13-year-old made it into the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour India Open Men’s Singles final.
The 2016 Junior World Champion will play world number six, and London 2012 bronze medalist Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) in the final today for his chance to write his name into the history books again.
HARIMOTO, who is coached by his father is no stranger to breaking records, being the youngest ITTF World Tour under 21 champion at just 12 years of age, and the youngest Junior World Champion at 13. Today HARIMOTO is now the youngest ever finalist at 13 years and 237 days old, but if the Japanese sensation wins, he will break YU Ziyang’s (CHN) record of being the youngest ITTF World Tour winner at 16 years and 30 days old when YU won the 2014 ITTF World Tour Japan Open.
On heading into the biggest match of his life, HARIMOTO stated: “I have been practicing long long hours. I was around 4 years old when I started playing table tennis. I have been working hard ever since.I never expected that I will be in finals, so I am very happy.”
“This is my first final at the World Tour, I am thrilled to be here. I am not thinking about the rankings and records. The crowd has been fantastic, and I am looking forward to the final.”ÂÂÂ
This feat will not be easy, as OVTCHAROV has won his last two events over the past weeks, and has regain the form that has made him the most feared European player.
The women’s final will be contested between Sweden’s Matilda EKHOLM and Japan’s Sakura MORI.
Watch all the action from 7pm local time (+5.5 GMT) live on tv.ITTF.com. Find out all the information on the India Open at http://www.ittf.com/
