Japan's first serious mixed doubles duo in a long time, these youngsters will be expected to take their country to the next level. They've already been spotted a few times last season, but apparently no thread for them yet. Started a thread because I've been wanting to mention Arisa for a while now. Exciting, jump-smashing player born in 1996 should be good for the next couple of Olympics (barring anything unfortunate). Watanabe is the solution for the lackluster mens team Japan have been struggling with recently. The video is for the Asia Mixed team championships. Despite looking like they're using second hand mats purchased in Malasia, this is the last and deciding match in the tie.
I've been lucky to watch them play at Badminton Mixed Team Championship 2017. Yuta Watanabe is definitely a player to watch in the future. I wish Arisa could be a little bit more consistent at the net and her defense. Her attacks are good, she could smash 5 consecutive shots and won the point when she was forced to play at the back. It was amazing!!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Cross court jump smash against the man? Point! Arisa and Chae YooJung are battling it out in my heart.
they won their match against yys and kim ha na in all england qf, such a thrilling match. hope they can beat cps and gly in sf tomorrow. I've been a fan of yuta since last year esp since watching him playing in the all japan badminton final, can't believe he's only 19...definitely a special talent.
I was watching them courtside in last year's HK Open. They narrowly lost but I was thinking, they are pretty good.
I like watching Arisa and Akane play, Arisa impresses me with her jumping smashes, don't see many woman jumping to smash.
Arisa can improve her defence more, but she makes up for it by being quite capable from the rear court.
Her defence can improve, but at the same time, she also plays some really good defensive shots off. I guess it's too hit & miss?
Just think about 2020. Japan has a great WD, a great lineup of WS, a promising XD and a potential top MS. Even though Japan lost to China in the Sudirman cup, this pair set up the JP team a treat. they should've made it to the finals.
Also started to notice this pair in the last couple of months, took me by surprise that I didn't know of their existence before! Definitely a pair to look out for; with more training and time to improve Arisa will be a good front court/net player.
Agreed. Never took much notice of them before but the match yesterday was quite something. Higashino able to generate power in the backcourt which is quite rare for female XD players coupled with fast and decisive net play ultimately sealed the match. Hope these two will rise to greater heights
