Kansai High School Claims First National Tennis Championship Title
The Taisho Pharmaceutical Lipovitan 48th National Invitational High School Tennis Tournament concluded on March 25th, 2026, at Hakatanomori Tennis Stadium with Kansai High School (Okayama) defeating Yokkaichi Tech (Mie) to secure their first-ever national championship in the boys’ team final.
The victory for Kansai High School was built on consistent effort, team spirit, and a collective desire for improvement. Rather than relying on individual star players, the team focused on developing the skills of all its members.
Building a Team Through Training
Hikaru Hieda, a player from Kansai High School, acknowledged his initial self-doubt, stating he was once considered “the weakest.” However, under the guidance of manager Naoya Maezaki, the team prioritized collective improvement. Players focused on strength training, stamina building, and competitive practice matches, fostering a belief that “everyone can become an ace.”
A Hard-Fought Final
The final match presented significant challenges. After losing the first singles match, Kansai High School faced adversity. However, the team’s resilience and positive attitude shifted the momentum. Hieda and other key players maintained a lively atmosphere, turning the crowd’s energy into a supportive force.
Miyoshi’s Decisive Performance
A pivotal moment came from first-year student Aoi Miyoshi, playing in the second singles match. Despite suffering a leg cramp, Miyoshi persevered, inspired by his coach’s encouragement – “Let’s play Super Miyoshi-kun today!” – and the support of his teammates. He adopted an aggressive strategy, focusing on winning points quickly, and ultimately secured a crucial victory.
Teamwork and Growth Lead to Success
The championship win was a result of strategic player placement and the individual growth of players overcoming their perceived weaknesses. D1 players Ryusei Nakagawa and Hirofune, and D2 players Ryosei Sumita and Kaede Minato Maruyama likewise contributed to the team’s success.
Coach Maezaki emphasized the importance of collective effort, noting that while he had been aiming for a championship for seven years, achieving it with this particular team was especially rewarding. He highlighted the team’s dedication to continuous improvement, stating, “We came here to fight.”
Final Match Results – Men’s Team
- Kansai (Okayama) 3 – 1 Yokkaichi Kogyo (Mie)
- S1: Haida Hikaru (Kansai) lost to Ono Rintaro (Yokkaichi Kogyo) 3-6, 6-2, 2-6
- D1: Nakagawa/Hirofune (Kansai) defeated Okoshi/Onishi (Yokkaichi Kogyo) 7-5, 6-3
- S2: Miyoshi (Kansai) defeated Kataoka (Yokkaichi Kogyo) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
- D2: Sumita/Minato Maruyama (Kansai) defeated Kondo/Nagai (Yokkaichi Kogyo) 6-3, 6-2
- S3: Kaneko Sa Liang (Kansai) defeated Daqie Yijiyao (Yokkaichi Kogyo) 4-3
Upcoming Matches – March 26th
The tournament continues on Thursday, March 26th, with the semi-finals and finals of the men’s and women’s individual tournaments.
- Men’s SF
- Hikaru Hieda (Kansai High School) VS Yoshihiro Sakurai (Shonan Institute of Technology)
- Shito Suzuki (Meikei University Ichison) VS Rintaro Ono (Yokkaichi Engineering)
- Women’s SF
- Misora Kitaoka (Aioi Gakuin) VS Raiharu Ito (Shogaku Okinawa)
- Naho Shimada (Noda Gakuen) VS Yui Kubota (Daisho Gakuen)
The final matches will be held immediately following the completion of the semi-finals.
Interview/Photography: Akemi Hosaka