Top things you didn't know about Japanese table tennis star HARIMOTO Tomokazu
The 18-year-old genius paddler is competing at his first Olympic Games in Tokyo. The world may already know what the pride of Japan can do on the table but here's what makes Harimoto, the person, tick.
Table Tennis
HARIMOTO Tomakazu is considered the golden boy of Japanese table tennis.
The world No. 4 has beaten several precocity records, including being the youngest winner on the ITTF World Tour at just 14 years of age.
But do you what his hobbies and passions are? Here's five things you didn't know about Japan's teen sensation.
1. Baseball fan
He absolutely loves the Japanese national pastime.
The Miyagi native is a self-acclaimed massive fan of his hometown Rakuten Eagles, even throwing out the first pitch once.
He follows them religiously, also when he's on tour overseas.
2. Meeting OHTANI Shohei
If there's one person on the planet Harimoto could meet, it's not a fellow Olympian, a table-tennis legend nor a celebrity.
It's the Los Angeles Angels' two-way superstar.
Get in the queue along with the rest of Japan, Tomokazu.
3. Passion for anime and detective Conan
When Harimoto isn't tearing up opponents and on his down time, he flips through a lot of manga and watches anime.
Detective Conan is his favourite. He's not big into books, though.
"My parents tell me I should read more but I don't think it's for me", Harimoto said.
4. J-Pop lover
Like a lot of athletes, listening to music is part of Harimoto's pre-competition routine.
The song below, by the J-Pop artist Vaundy, is the karaoke lover's latest jam. Check it out:
5. Melons yes, carrots no
Harimoto loves to eat - a lot. He loves his mother's home cooking and Korean BBQ but what he loves more than anything is melons.
"I pretty much eat it everyday", he said.
He's not a fan of carrots.