Table Tennis Kanazawa Port: Announcement of Player Hiroki Kobayashi's Contract Renewal

Thank you for your continued warm support for Kanazawa Port.

We are pleased to announce that Kanazawa Port has renewed the player contract with Hiroki Kobayashi for the 2026-2027 season.

Player Kobayashi joined for the 2025-2026 season as a Japanese left-handed doubles specialist, addressing the team's challenge of strengthening its doubles play.

Meeting these expectations, he demonstrated outstanding performance with 12 doubles wins and received the Best Pair Award with Masaki Yoshida, marking his second consecutive year receiving the award.

Furthermore, he is steadily improving his skills, notably securing a valuable single win in crucial situations, and further progress is expected in the future.

Kanazawa Port will fully support and strengthen Player Kobayashi to make the 2026-2027 season, the second year of his three-year contract, a breakthrough year.

We appreciate your continued warm support.

Hiroki Kobayashi 2025-2026 Season Individual Stats

[Comment from Player Hiroki Kobayashi]

"I am Hiroki Kobayashi, and I will be playing for Kanazawa Port in the 2026-2027 season as well.

Although we advanced to the playoffs in the 2025-2026 season, we were unable to win in the final, which left us with a feeling of regret for missing out on the championship.

In the 2026-2027 season, the entire team will unite even more to aim for victory in the final.

Personally, I will continue to work hard to surpass my past results, and I ask for your continued support.

Let's Go Port!"

[Comment from Head Coach Akira Saito]

"We have renewed the contract with Hiroki Kobayashi for the 2026-2027 season, which is the second year of his three-year contract.

Player Kobayashi has played a crucial role in demanding doubles victories, achieving results even under significant pressure, and this season he once again received the Best Pair Award with Masaki Yoshida.

On the other hand, his personal goal is to become a player who can achieve multiple singles victories, and he is steadily improving, as shown by reaching the best 16 in this year's All Japan Table Tennis Championships.

In the 2026-2027 season, we expect him to earn more points in both singles and doubles, contributing significantly more to the team.

We appreciate your continued warm support for Hiroki Kobayashi."