●Nathan Shiga: August 28

This column is not meant for sports episodes alone, but we can’t pass this one by all means. Tomokazu Harimoto, Japan’s proud contribution to the world of table tennis, has achieved a historic feat by winning a World Table Tennis Tour in Czechoslovakia, August 27, the youngest ever to stand atop the world in the sport.

Tomokazu, age 14, was pitted against German’s veteran player Timo Boll, 36, in men’s singles final at the Czech Open. The youngest finalist pulled through a tough game to defeat the former world champion by 4-2.

Tomokazu started off beautifully taking Game 1 by amazing 10-3 outslugging the opponent throughout the game. He visibly made Tim Boll uncomfortable. In Game 2, Tim displayed his superb ball control ousting Harimoto by 10-4.

Both crashed head-on in a see-saw smashing contest in Game 3. At 7-7 Timo charged aggressively to score four consecutive points to grab the game.

Game 4 was another see-saw up until a timeout at 6-5 with Timo a point ahead, after which Harimoto turned offensive to grab the game to even up the score 2-2.

Harimoto smashed powerful backhands at key points of Game 5 to win it by 10-6.

In Game 6 Harimoto sustained his aggressive posture in an attempt to control the game but Timo came back to counter Tomokazu past 5-5 up to 9-9 but no further.

Amid a full-house applause, Harimoto was ready for a deadly finish at 10-9. Timo served, Tomokazu smashed back and Timo netted his return to end the hard-fought match by 11-9.

Quite impressively, Harimoto elegantly placed his racket on the floor the instant of his victory, instead of tossing it into the air as others would. Good show, Tomokazu!

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