【Final Review】Nojima T.League 2025-2026 Season

Nojima T.League 2025-2026 Season Concludes

◆March 27 (Fri)
・Men's Final
Kinoshita Meister Tokyo 3-0 Kanazawa Port

Champion: Kinoshita Meister Tokyo
Playoff MVP: #17 Yun-Ju Lin

KM Tokyo Becomes Champion for the 5th Time; Kanazawa Falls Short on 'Third Year's Honesty'

The men's final was a match between KM Tokyo and Kanazawa Port. Despite being a weekday, the match was held amidst loud cheers from supporters of both teams.

In the first match, doubles, KM Tokyo fielded their ace pair, Lin Yun-ju/Yang An, who had a 5-0 record in the regular season, while Kanazawa opted for a new pair, Hiromu Kobayashi/Chang Woo-jin. This encounter, featuring top doubles players from Japan, South Korea, China, and Chinese Taipei, was a high-level contest. KM Tokyo's pair took the first game, maintaining their regular season momentum. The second game saw a shift, with the Kanazawa pair showcasing their power in forehand smashes and rallies, winning the game 11-5. The final game was a nail-biter, with both teams taking timeouts and reaching a 9-9 score, but ultimately, Lin Yun-ju's counter and block secured the lead for KM Tokyo.

The second match featured Yuta Tanaka, whose order was revealed, against the rising star Ryusei Kawakami, who had defeated Tanaka in the domestic qualifiers.
Tanaka, showcasing not only his signature defense but also an unusually aggressive table tennis style, took the first game.
Kawakami, who admitted, 'I was nervous at first and my legs weren't moving at all,' was trailing in the second game with Tanaka taking the lead. However, Kawakami then showed remarkable composure for a 16-year-old, making few errors and turning the tide to level the game count.
Tanaka won the third game with excellent serve placement and a versatile backhand. However, in the fourth game, Kawakami, demonstrating tenacity and superior table skills in a close contest, took the game to deuce.
In the final game, Kawakami utilized his signature two-handed attack to reach game point at 10-7. Tanaka fought back with a net-cord shot, but it wasn't enough. Kawakami, whom acting director Wang Kai of KM Tokyo praised for his 'shocking speed of growth,' secured his first playoff victory, putting KM Tokyo on the verge of championship.

The third match was a world-class encounter between KM Tokyo's Ling and Kanazawa's Chang. From the first game, the match showcased world-class play in every aspect, including Chang's physical strength, high technical skill, and even his fair play spirit in choosing to concede points on questionable line calls.
Ling, who had an advantage in serve and receive, took the first game and, with momentum, the second game as well. Although Chang managed to score points with forehand drives in the third game, Ling maintained control of the match and won in straight sets. KM Tokyo clinched their fifth championship, the first in two seasons.

◆March 28 (Sat)
・Women's Final
Nihon Life Red Elf 2-3 Kinoshita Abiel Kanagawa

Champion: Kinoshita Abiel Kanagawa
Playoff MVP: #16 Miwa Zhangmo

Women's Final: A Historic Epic Battle Lasting '4 Hours and 2 Minutes'

The women's final was between Nihon Life Red Elf, the regular season's No. 1 team, and Kinoshita Abiel Kanagawa, the semi-final winners. 3,145 spectators witnessed this fierce contest.

In the first match, doubles, Nihon Life fielded the pair Asuka Sasao/An Onoue, who had won five consecutive matches as a pair, while KA Kanagawa put forth Miwa Zhangmo/Miyu Nagasaki, the reigning All Japan champions. The first game of the first match extended to a grueling 20-18. While the Nihon Life pair, with their good combination, seemed to gain momentum after winning this game, KA Kanagawa took the second game after establishing an early lead, leading to a final game. Ultimately, the KA Kanagawa pair's successful aggressive two-handed attacks secured victory.

In the second match, World No. 5 Miwa Zhangmo played consecutively after doubles. Facing her was Nihon Life's World No. 9 Hina Hayata, creating a matchup between top-ranked players. Their matches over the past year have often gone to full games, and this encounter was no exception. Hayata scored points primarily with the power of her two-handed shots, while Zhangmo focused on pitch and precise course placement. In the thrilling final game, Zhangmo pressured Hayata from close to the table, winning 11-8. KA Kanagawa was now on the verge of their second consecutive championship.

For the third match, KA Kanagawa revealed their order, listing Chen Yi-ching. Nihon Life countered with Natsumi Akie, who had previously defeated Chen. The match featured Chen's agile footwork and forehand shots against Akie's two-handed close-to-the-table counter. In the third game, with the game count at 1-1, Akie led 8-3, but Chen closed the gap to 8-7. Akie then took a timeout and, breaking Chen's momentum, secured the third game. Riding this wave, she also won the fourth game, leading to Akie's victory with a game count of 3-1.

The following fourth match was between KA Kanagawa's captain, Miyu Hirano, and the rising star Rin Mento, who had won the qualifiers and become a Japanese national team member. In the early stages, Hirano showed her experience, taking a 2-0 game lead and appearing poised for victory. However, Mento then seized the momentum with her improved forehand attacks and her naturally strong backhand, winning the third and fourth games to force a final game. Mento scored points with the power of her two-handed shots, while Hirano countered with skillful technique. Mento found success by incorporating spin serves into aggressive drives, winning a hard-fought match 18-16 and securing a crucial victory to tie the match count at 2-2.

The victory match was a captain's duel: Hina Hayata of Nihon Life vs. Miyu Hirano of KA Kanagawa. This showdown between Japan's golden generation stars materialized. Hirano led early, but Hayata caught up to 8-8. At this point, Hirano made a service error after a net cord. Hayata took the lead for the first time, but Hirano immediately responded with a perfect shoot drive to tie the score at 9-9, bringing the match to its climax. In response to Hayata's next two serves, Hirano powerfully drove the ball with a backhand, ending the 4-hour-plus intense battle.

Reflecting on the victory match immediately after her loss in the fourth match, Hirano commented, 'Why did they put me down for this match?' However, she refocused, thinking, 'Only I can make up for the responsibility of losing my fourth match,' and achieved a tearful victory.

Kinoshita Abiel Kanagawa achieved their first consecutive championship. They also accomplished a joint championship with KM Tokyo, which was also a first for them.

Opening Match of Next Season to be Held Overseas for the First Time!

This newsletter marks the end of the review and highlights for the 'Nojima T.League 2025-2026 Season.' Thank you for your support this season.

The opening match of next season will be held overseas for the first time! It will take place in Hsinchu County, Taiwan.

Date: July 25, 2026 (Sat)
Men's Opening Match: T.T Saitama vs Kinoshita Meister Tokyo
Women's Opening Match: Kinoshita Abiel Kanagawa vs Top Otome Pingpongs Nagoya

Information on the opening match and other schedules for the 2026-2027 season will be announced as soon as they are decided!
Although the Nojima T.League will be on hiatus until July, various events will be held, and information on new contracted players and transfers will be announced continuously.
Furthermore, matches from past seasons are being streamed on the T.League Official YouTube Channel membership. You can rewatch memorable scenes and great matches anytime!

Please continue to enjoy the T.League during the off-season!!!

★Click here for the 'T.League Official YouTube Channel'

Keywords: T.League, Nojima T.League, Table Tennis