Five consecutive national table tennis championships between 2007 and 2011 established Jun Mizutani as a dominant force in his sport. His career spanned four Olympic Games and culminated in a mixed doubles gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, marking a milestone for Japanese table tennis on the international stage.
Domestic Dominance and Early Achievements
Born in Iwata in 1989, Mizutani developed his skills at Meiji University. He secured his status as a national champion at 17, setting a record for the youngest athlete to achieve the title in Japan. His streak of five consecutive national titles remains a defining aspect of his domestic career.
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Mizutani participated in four consecutive Olympic Games from 2008 to 2020. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, he defeated Vladimir Samsonov to claim the bronze medal in men's singles, providing Japan with its first Olympic table tennis singles medal. He also earned a silver medal in the team event in 2016 alongside teammates Koki Niwa and Maharu Yoshimura.
Mixed Doubles Gold and Retirement
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Mizutani partnered with Mima Ito to defeat Liu Shiwen and Xu Xin in the mixed doubles final. This victory ended a streak of Chinese dominance in Olympic table tennis dating back to 2004. Shortly after, he secured a team bronze medal alongside Koki Niwa and Tomokazu Harimoto. World Table Tennis confirmed his retirement on 10 February 2022, following vision difficulties that necessitated the use of specialized eyewear during competitive matches.
Professional Engagement and Personal Record
Throughout his professional tenure, Mizutani played for clubs including DJK SV Borussia 07 Münster, Kinoshita Meister Tokyo, Borussia Düsseldorf, TTC Ruhrstadt Herne, Fakel Gazprom Orenbourg, and UMMC. Beyond the court, he appeared as himself in the 2017 film Mixed Doubles. He received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in recognition of his sporting achievements. He married in 2013 and announced the birth of his daughter in 2014.
Fast facts
- Born: 1989, Iwata, Japan
- Education: Meiji University
- Olympic Appearances: 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020
- Major Awards: Medal with Purple Ribbon
- Marriage Date: 22 November 2013
- Retirement Date: February 2022
- Film Appearance: Mixed Doubles (2017)
- Citizenship: Japan
Questions readers ask
Why did Jun Mizutani retire?
He cited increasing vision difficulties that required him to wear special glasses during his final matches.
What was his performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
He won a gold medal in the mixed doubles event with Mima Ito and a bronze medal in the team event.
Achievements
- Medal with Purple Ribbon
- Competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics
