Tomokazu Harimoto: Japan's record-breaking prodigy

Tomokazu Harimoto started winning big events at an age when most players are still learning their strokes. At 14 he was already the youngest winner in ITTF World Tour history. Since then he has become the biggest star of Japanese men's table tennis, known for his blistering pace and his shout after points.

This page sums up Tomokazu Harimoto's career, his records, his titles and his playing style.

Who is Tomokazu Harimoto

Tomokazu Harimoto was born on June 27, 2003, in Sendai, Japan. His parents are former Chinese professional players from Sichuan who moved to Japan in 1998. His mother played for China at the 1995 World Championships. Harimoto became a Japanese citizen in 2014. His younger sister, Miwa Harimoto, is also an elite player.

He is right-handed and plays with the shakehand grip. He grew up training with his parents and showed unusual talent from a very young age.

The youngest-ever records

Harimoto collected a string of "youngest ever" marks:

• 2016: World Junior singles champion, at just 13.
• 2017: won the Czech Open at 14 years and 61 days, the youngest singles winner in ITTF World Tour history.
• 2018: won the Japan Open by beating Ma Long and Zhang Jike and, in December, became the youngest ITTF World Tour Grand Finals champion, at 15.

These results made him a reference for a whole generation of Japanese players. The country's tradition in the sport is covered in Japan's table tennis history.

Harimoto's titles

In December 2025, after three runner-up finishes, Harimoto won the WTT Finals in Hong Kong, beating Sweden's Truls Möregårdh 4-2 in the final. He was the event's first non-Chinese men's singles champion.

The "Chorei" shout

Harimoto is also known for the loud "Chorei" he shouts after winning points. Shouting to pump yourself up is common in table tennis, especially among Japanese and Chinese players, and there is more to it than showmanship. It is explained in why table tennis players say "cho". Intensity is one of the trademarks of his game.

Playing style

Harimoto is a two-winged attacker with a very fast, close-to-the-table style:

• The backhand is his main weapon, fast and precise, able to win rallies on its own.
• Early timing, hitting the ball right after the bounce, which rushes his opponent.
• Counterattacking, turning his rival's attacks into his own winners.
• An aggressive return, attacking short serves with his backhand.

This fast game demands quick reflexes and good spin reading. The strokes involved are in table tennis backhand.

Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024

At Tokyo 2020, playing at home, Harimoto won team bronze with Japan. At Paris 2024 he reached the singles quarterfinals and finished 4th in the team event. Japan's home Games are covered in table tennis at Tokyo 2020.

Frequently asked questions