Japan Grabbed Silver Medals in World Table Tennis

Welcome to another episode on what's happening in/on/to Japan. I'm your navigator, Nathan Shiga.

It's about table tennis today, folks. This afternoon our boys and girls returned from Malaysia with silver medals dangling on their chests. A beautiful work they have done in what was to be a trial ground for Japan's supposedly best teams ever to compete in group’s matches. Both lived up to our expectations - for sure. Of course, the great wall of China still stood high enough but seemed not surmountable.

Mima Ito, the 15-year-old "Wonder Kid", certainly thinks the same way. Asked how she thought she had fared in her first challenge at the world championships, she responded:

"Well, I've learned so much that helps me improve yet more. I'll say I've grown really tough mentally. I now have plenty of homework to do to brush up skill. I will make sure to prepare myself for the Olympics."

Kasumi Ishikawa comments she did a lot better against the Chinese this time outplaying in some scenes and hopes to go for the gold medal at Rio.

Ai Fukuhara, the 27-year-old captain of the women's team, looks back thus:

"I captained for the first time, it was great. My teammates helped me out - so thankful to them. Personally, I played well here and there, and I'll make sure to brush up my skill further to play even better at Rio."

Japan had finished with bronze for four consecutive championships and Jun Mizutani was glad to have won silver this time. He comments;

"Yes, very pleased to have won silver. This means we've leveled up and should have a good chance of challenging higher up in Rio. I want to be a tougher driving force for my team."

As I see it. Japan has come definitely a few steps closer to China.