Chinese table tennis fans slam Harimoto over medical timeout against Wang Chuqin

Chinese table tennis fans have accused Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto of feigning injury to take advantage of a medical timeout as he won the World Table Tennis Champions Yokohama title against Wang Chuqin.

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Harimoto, who was born to Chinese parents, stunned world champion Wang 4-2 at the Yokohama Buntai arena on Monday to win his first WTT Champions crown since lifting the European Summer Series in 2022.

However, Chinese fans cried foul play, posting images of Harimoto calling for a medical timeout and seemingly gesturing towards his left leg, only to have a physiotherapist massage his right leg.

Footage of the match shows Harimoto talking to the umpire with his left leg placed on a step. However, during the conversation, he could be seen pointing to his right knee and pressing his hand against it as he requested a medical timeout.

During discussions with officials and his coaching staff, Harimoto repeatedly pointed to his right knee before a physiotherapist massaged it.

Tomokazu Harimoto (right) stunned Wang Chuqin in the WTT Champions Yokohama final. Photo: AFP

“He told the umpire that he injured his left leg and went off the court to get treatment for his right thigh. In an interview, he said that he injured his knee. So where exactly is the injury?” one popular comment said.

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