Three-time national champion Sayaka Hirano rallied to beat popular teenager Ai Fukuhara in full sets in the women’s singles final of the Japan Top 12 table tennis tournament on Saturday. Hirano won 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 12-10 at Komazawa gymnasium for her first Top 12 title in three years.
She also defeated 13-year-old sensation Kasumi Ishikawa four sets to two in the semifinals. In the men’s singles final, Kaii Yoshida outclassed Michikazu Tsuboguchi 11-9, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4 to win the title for the third straight year.