(by: Bowmar Sports)

A potential Professional Table Tennis Player

Hikaru Fukushima has undoubtedly left an indelible mark at the recent Grand Prix held in Cuenca, Ecuador. He managed to reach the runner-up position in the U9 category of a competitive event, where his skill, determination and respect for others not only catapulted him to the podium, but also projected him as a great athlete. Leading in the opening rounds, Hikaru advanced to the semifinals with a great performance, while, in the thrilling final, he managed to take the first set of a great match.

Hikaru’s story

Hikaru was born in Japan, in the city of Minoh, Osaka. Her father, Tito Rodriguez, is Bolivian and obtained his PhD in Agronomy at the University of Tsukuba in Japan, while her mother, Ery Odette Fukushima, is Bolivian-Japanese and holds a PhD in Nanobiological Sciences from Yokohama Municipal University. At the age of four, the family moved to the Amazon in Ecuador, and at six Hikaru discovered his natural ability and passion for table tennis. The formative years in such a different and unique environment as the Ecuadorian Amazon not only molded his character, but also gave him a unique perspective on the world and the sport.

In the middle of 2023 Hikaru moved to the city of Quito, and after a process of adaptation he met, in 2024, his current coach Geovanny Coello, with whom in the last two months he has been working intensely to develop his potential in his current club at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. For this reason, and given the appreciations of his coach, Hikaru is currently in the process of naturalizing as an Ecuadorian in order to qualify for the national team and subsequently be able to represent Ecuador in international competitions. This naturalization process reflects Hikaru’s dedicated and persevering commitment to table tennis, which has already become an integral part of his daily routine.

Opinions of his coach and family

His coach, Geovanny Coello, commented on his performance: “Hikaru is an early learner and has put into practice those things he needed to reach the final, always maintaining a good attitude and remarkable respect towards his competitors and respective coaches, showing signs of a great table tennis player”. His father, Tito Rodriguez, added: “Hikaru has improved significantly in the management of his emotions, which has allowed him to apply the techniques learned during the game more effectively”. This emotional improvement has been an important factor in his performance.

Connection with Butterfly

Since his early days in table tennis, family support has played an important role in Hikaru’s development, so he was supported with Butterfly blades and rubbers; initially with a Timo Boll J. blade and Rozena rubbers, which allowed him to quickly adapt to the game, and recently with a more professional blade, the Viscaria FL, which has allowed him to concentrate on perfecting his technique and strategy without additional worries.

Hikaru continues his preparation for future competitions and his main goal is to qualify for the Ecuadorian national team. Many expectations revolve around Hikaru from here on out, and with the support of Geovanny Coello and Butterfly, these will surely become certainties within his sporting career. Hikaru’s story not only inspires young athletes in Ecuador, but also highlights the importance of family and technical support, dedication and choosing the right tools for success in any discipline.

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