- [高島規郎]
- ［Takashima Norio Story］
[Takashima Norio Story]
The ultimate chopper blade,
Mr. Chopper put his soul into
Norio Takashima paid attention to every detail, as if he was developing his own racket for the World Championships.
He started playing table tennis in junior high school. By his inherent research spirit and hard work, he became strong player even without a coach. Although he placed third at the All Japan Junior Championships in his second year at Kinki University High School, he reached the finals at the Inter-High School was only as a team and he had never won a national championship during his high school days.
After entering Kinki University, he distinguished himself and was selected to a representative as Japanese team for the World Championships in Nagoya in his first year. When he was in his third year, he became the All Japan champion and won three times in total.
He studied under Shunichi Higuchi from his second year at university, and practiced intensely. Takashima kept hitting balls from morning until night, sometimes all night, and was forced to run 20 km a day. He sometimes ran with stones in his both hands, so people at the university started to say “Takashima was gone crazy”.
“There was no point in doing it after someone else tells you to run 20 km or practice all night. Before I knew it, I had run 20 km and the next thing I knew I had been practicing all night. This is the abnormal behavior of people who become champions.”
“Each individual has their own talent. If you do the same thing as others, it won't become your own. If you don't do something different from others and bring out the talent that only you can do, it won't become yours.”
The racket given from Higuchi before the World Championships was a racket made of three plywood cypress. It is a racket that allows him to keep hitting stringy chop from anywhere in the court, and when he sees an opportunity, he can make a deadly counterattack. For Takashima, backed by intense practice and high technical ability, he felt as if he could return the ball to opponent's court as long as his racket hit a ball. It was the moment when his body and racket became one.
Mr.Chopper, Takashima Nnorio
He then placed third in the World Championships in Calcutta in 1975, but in the semi-final against Stepančić (Yugoslavia), his opponent completely gave up on Takashima’s chop and just when the opponent could no longer raise his shoulders, a rain’s leak caused Takashima. He had to stop playing and his opponent regained his breath. If it hadn't been for that rain’s leak, he might have won the world title.
“We were particular about the three-ply Japanese cypress plywood, and we wanted the feeling that the chop would sink down on the table and the trajectory was close to a straight line. Also, in order to suppress the vibration of the grip, a special material was bonded only to the grip part. We also paid attention to the weight and the part where the thumb hit,” says Takashima. “There are Chinese and Taiwanese cypress, but the unique bitting feel at impact can only be created with Kiso cypress.”
The part where the thumb hits is clearly different from other shake rackets. It is carved with a gentle curve. “When you hold it, your thumb slides into the grip. The grip is also a little short to make it easier to use your wrist for a push and a chop.”
(Takashima)
In addition, there is no cavity inside the grip, and the use of a single board gives the grip an appropriate weight and maintains the overall balance.
“If you make a chop, the ball will fly in a straight line to the top of the net, but from there it will sink as if a brake was applied. It is extremely versatile, including its shape, so even attacking players can use it.” Takashima said.
This is a blade that should recomend for players who are struggling with the stability of their chops, easily attack by their opponents and players who are looking for offensive power even if they are choppers.
Japanese KISO HINOKI, 3 ply woods
The Legend
高島規郎
TAKASHIMA NORIO
●Defensive Shakehand
●3ply Wood
●Grip：ST
●Thickness：6.7mm
●Weight：85±g
●size ／mm
Blade：157×150
Grip：97×24
Made in Japan