Jun Mizutani facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jun Mizutani
Mizutani at the 2013 World Table Tennis Championships
Personal information
Nationality	Japanese
Born	(1989-06-09) 9 June 1989 (age 36) Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan
Playing style	Left-handed, Shakehand grip
Equipment(s)	Butterfly, Blade: Mizutani Jun ZLC, Rubbers: Dignics 80 in the forehand, and Dignics 80 in the backhand.
Highest ranking	4 (February 2017)
Club	Kinoshita Meister Tokyo
Height	172 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	68 kg (150 lb)
Medal record Men's table tennis Representing  Japan Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 1 1 2 World Championships 0 1 6 Olympic Games Gold 2020 Tokyo Mixed Doubles Silver 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team Bronze 2020 Tokyo Team Bronze 2016 Rio de Janeiro Singles World Championships Silver 2016 Kuala Lumpur Team Bronze 2008 Guangzhou Team Bronze 2009 Yokohama Doubles Bronze 2010 Moscow Team Bronze 2012 Dortmund Team Bronze 2013 Paris Doubles Bronze 2014 Tokyo Team Asian Championships Silver 2007 Yangzhou Team Silver 2009 Lucknow Team Silver 2012 Macau Team Silver 2013 Busan Team Bronze 2007 Yangzhou Doubles Asian Cup Bronze 2007 Hanoi Singles Bronze 2014 Wuhan Singles Bronze 2015 Jaipur Singles

Jun Mizutani (水谷 隼, Mizutani Jun, born 9 June 1989) is a famous Japanese table tennis player who has now retired. He made history by becoming the youngest Japanese national champion at just 17 years old. He was also the first male player to win five national championships in a row, from 2007 to 2011.

Jun Mizutani competed in four Olympic Games, from 2008 to 2020. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, he won his first singles medal in a major international tournament, a bronze. This was also the first Olympic table tennis singles medal ever for Japan! Later, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, he and his partner Mima Ito won a gold medal in the new mixed doubles event. This was a huge win, as they were the first non-Chinese team to win gold in an Olympic table tennis event since 2004.

Jun Mizutani's Table Tennis Journey

Olympic Achievements in 2016

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mizutani won a bronze medal in the singles event. This was a big moment for him, as it was his first individual Olympic medal. He won the bronze medal match against Vladimir Samsonov.

After his singles success, he also earned a silver medal in the team event. He played alongside his teammates Koki Niwa and Maharu Yoshimura. They played very well but lost to the strong Chinese team in the final match.

Tokyo Olympics and Retirement

In 2021, Jun Mizutani played in the WTT Star Contender event in Doha. However, he was upset in the round of 16 by Ruwen Filus.

Later that year, at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Mizutani achieved a historic victory. He and his partner Mima Ito won the gold medal in the mixed doubles final. They beat the Chinese team of Liu Shiwen and Xu Xin. This was a truly special win for Japan in table tennis.

Mizutani also won another medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He earned a bronze medal in the team event with his teammates Koki Niwa and Tomokazu Harimoto. They defeated the South Korean team to secure their bronze.

Jun Mizutani officially retired from table tennis after the 2020 Summer Olympics. His retirement was confirmed in February 2022. He mentioned that increasing difficulties with his eyesight, which made him wear special glasses during matches, played a part in his decision to retire.

Jun Mizutani's Personal Life

Jun Mizutani got married on November 22, 2013. He shared happy news on his blog on October 14, 2014, announcing that his daughter had been born.

In 2017, Mizutani even appeared in a film called Mixed Doubles. He played himself in the movie!

Major Career Highlights

Jun Mizutani had an amazing career filled with many wins and achievements. Here are some of his most important records:

Singles Success

• Olympics: He won a bronze medal in 2016.
• World Championships: He reached the quarterfinals in 2011 and 2015.
• World Cup: He finished 4th four times (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015).
• ITTF World Tour: He won 7 titles and was runner-up 4 times.
• ITTF World Tour Grand Finals: He won this prestigious event twice (2010, 2014).
• Asian Games: He reached the semifinals in 2010.
• Asian Cup: He won bronze medals three times (2007, 2014, 2015).

Doubles and Team Achievements

• World Championships (Men's Doubles): He reached the semifinals in 2009.
• Olympics (Mixed Doubles): He won a gold medal in 2021.
• Olympics (Team): He won a silver medal in 2016 and a bronze medal in 2020.
• World Championships (Team): He won a silver medal in 2016 and bronze medals four times (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014).
• Asian Championships (Team): He won silver medals four times (2007, 2009, 2012, 2013).