[Contract Signing] Kyushu Karina Announces Player Contract with Miu Hirano

Miu Hirano, crossing her arms while wearing the Kyushu Karina uniform.

Kyushu Karina Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Representative Director: Hajime Kawatsura), which operates the professional table tennis club "Kyushu Karina," is pleased to announce that we have signed a player contract for the 2026-2027 season with Miu Hirano, a top athlete leading the Japanese women's table tennis world.

The addition of Hirano, who boasts outstanding achievements and recognition, is a significant reinforcement for our club as we aim to rebound from last season's last-place finish and achieve our long-cherished first championship. We expect her to be a catalyst for revitalizing the entire league.

Background and Purpose of the Contract Signing

Miu Hirano has rewritten the history of Japanese table tennis, winning medals in two consecutive Olympic appearances. Her next goal is to place herself in an even more challenging environment to achieve further growth and evolution as an athlete. With this strong determination, her chosen new environment is "Kyushu Karina."

Meanwhile, for our club, this season marks a major transformation. We have appointed Ai Terada (née Sakata), a former national champion, as our new head coach, and we are poised for a comeback.

This contract signing was made possible by the alignment of Hirano's strong resolve to "further improve myself in an unprecedented environment" and the club's vision to promote the creation of a top-tier team in Japan under the new head coach.

*A press conference regarding this matter is scheduled. Further details will be announced separately for the press.

Miu Hirano

Born April 14, 2000, in Yamanashi Prefecture. Right-handed shakehand, with a reverse rubber on both sides, offensive drive style. In the 2016 World Cup, she became the first Japanese woman to win the singles title. In the 2017 Asian Championships, she won the gold medal, the first for a Japanese player in 21 years. She has greatly contributed to winning the "silver medal" in the women's team event in two consecutive Olympics. Armed with high-speed, ultra-offensive two-wing drives, she continues to evolve. She will begin her new challenge in a new environment.

Hajime Kawatsura / Representative Director, Kyushu Karina Co., Ltd.

Since joining the club in 2021, we have promoted the development of top athletes capable of competing globally and the construction of a world-class sports business model. This season, we have appointed Ai Terada, a former national champion, as our new head coach. Furthermore, we will fully support Miu Hirano's passionate determination as we strive for the team's resurgence.

<Contact Information> Kyushu Karina Co., Ltd. Contact: Marketing Strategy Department TEL: 092-712-8311 Email: info@kyushukarina.com Official Website: https://kyushukarina.com/