Kiku Matsushima launches project for 2028 Olympic gold

Japanese table tennis player Kiku Matsushima has launched ‘TEAM MATSUSHIMA’, a comprehensive support project aimed at securing a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Matsushima, born in 2007, reached the world number one ranking in men’s singles on October 5, 2026, becoming the first Japanese male player to achieve this feat in 46 years. His recent successes include winning two ‘Grand Smash’ titles—the US Smash and the China Smash—which are considered the highest level of international competition organized by World Table Tennis (WTT).

The ‘TEAM MATSUSHIMA’ initiative seeks to create a world-class competitive environment by integrating a specialized team of coaches, trainers, nutritionists, data analysts, and management professionals. The project will focus on enhancing technical skills, physical conditioning, and recovery strategies over a three-year period leading up to the 2028 Olympics.