Miu Hirano holding her trophy poses for a photo with a Japanese coach in Wuxi on April 15.[Photo by Han Jingjing/chinadaily.com.cn]
Seventeen-year-old Miu Hirano stunned the world of table tennis on Saturday by becoming the first non-Chinese woman to win the singles title at the ITTF Asian Championships since 1996.
But the young Japanese already has an even bigger goal on her mind: Defeating China's biggest stars at the World Championships in Germany next month.
Just minutes after her historic victory and with the cheers for Chinese star Zhang Jike echoing around Wuxi Sports Center, the newly-crowned Asian champion told a packed press conference that she planned to knock the Chinese team off their perch again in Dusseldorf.
"Since I've won this time, I hope to keep up my momentum and win at the World Championships," said Miu. "What matters is to set the goal, not whether I win or not. I have nothing to conceal about this."
If she is to achieve her target, table tennis' newest star will need to repeat her feat of knocking out a string of Chinese opponents. Miu had to beat world number one and China's captain Ding Ning, number two Zhu Yuling and fifth seed Chen Meng on her way to victory in Wuxi.
Miu admitted that the string of victories had surprised even her.
"[Before the tournament,] I had never beaten them, so all I could do was try my best to go for it. I'm shocked that I won at last," said a beaming Miu, glancing at the gleaming gold cup placed next to her.
 |
|
Miu Hirano answers questions at a press conference held on the third floor of Wuxi Sports Center on April 15. [Photo by Han Jingjing/chinadaily.com.cn] |
