Kenta Matsudaira - Mr. Tomahawk (Blocking Magic)

[@johncole118]

I have watched this many times and am amazed by the effortless blocks always pushing the power players out of position and then the simple kill block, just awesome 😎

[@federicoclaps5099]

2:48 can we take a moment to appreciate Xu Xin's footwork?

[@rjabrm]

no..

[@robertrowles5450]

When he's on form Kenta is my favourite Japanese male player. He's the ultimate expression of the little guy in table tennis: his touch is even better than Niwa. Kenta winning sets off Ma Long or Zhang Jike, even beating FZD in 2013, is a great achievement. It's all touch, timing and placement. I understand and can appreciate the power of the Chinese, but I'd rather watch Kenta dance his way to victory.

[@inyourface123]

Cannot agree more :-). Both Kenta and Niwa have excellent touch and ball feeling, but Kenta definitely has more tricks up his sleeves and more exciting to see. Unfortunately, I see most people preferring the Chinese-induced style of two players just trying to overpower each other and they cannot appreciate these finer nuances of the game.

[@ibexlove7009]

Well said

[@jwzhu]

+ firendable Interesting. This is the first time that I've heard someone say that the Chinese are boring to watch. It's kind of like saying "I like basketball but I find the NBA boring". Can't say I agree with you, but I do respect your opinion.

[@williamwang8034]

the top Chinese players doesn't just rely on power. otherwise they wouldn't have stayed at the top for so long. Its the combination of power, spin, touch and placement also great athleticism and mental toughness that makes them so strong, Kenta is a great player and a showman but his shots are sometimes too fancy not as effective and high enough quality as the top Chinese that is their difference.

[@Bubaphil]

William Wang l

[@StimulusPact]

2:36 greatest point of all time

[@sameersamadi789]

1:05, 1:51, 2:01, 3:29, 3:43, 4:19 beautiful magic!

[@blueheart9873]

first of all, kenta's serve is by far my favourite. And wow, this video made me wonder why I don't just use some more block instead of trying to topspin the ball back. Block is definitly a strong counter option for players who run around a lot to get a forehand topspin in and position themselfs far from table. Similarly to Waldner

[@bau7917]

because the block is a passive shot and you will lose in the long run against a allround player who stands close to the table and is able to get good angles.

[@labnew6616]

Been watching table tennis for years now , and i can safely say he was one of the most entertaining and best players out there ...even if not consistent...but the best style

[@LL-nw6cd]

I think Kenta has the best backhand of all the players. Amazing control on his backhand and the only one who can consistently attack a backhand shot from way back in the court. That shot is such a joy to watch.

[@RenounceDarkness_]

2:41 KOKI NIWA!?

[@ikickslayer5851]

闇との決別 yea

[@gab5012]

he is the koki niwa before koki niwa (they were taught in similar ways, japanese blockers)

[@ぷりん-k2l]

健太のプレーは感動して泣く

[@inyourface123]

He makes TT look so easy...such effortless blocking, such ball feeling, those sidespin chopblocks which even top palyers like Wang Hao and Ma Long sent back to net...it's a pity that his game suffered the most, of all pro players, after the introduction of the effing plastic balls.

[@NOExplodex]

Can you expand on the problem/controversy with the new plastic tt balls? Sorry, I am very new to the pro tt scene. TT is such an epic sport to watch and to play.

[@samy29987]

But even then, blocking is not for everyone. That amount of touch and feel is not like it is a cake walk. Since there are so many power hitters out there, blocking, if ot done well, will leave you exposed. Dangerous weapon to use. But when done right it is amazingly useful and fun to watch at the same time.

[@inyourface123]

+zynth Well, to start with, the new ball has lesser spin, which is a deterrence to players like Kenta whose game is more dependent on spin than power.

[@inyourface123]

+samy29987 Absolutely. But Kenta has mastered this tough skill in such a way, it looks quite effortless when he blocks those super spinny balls.

[@williamwang8034]

in my opinion, the top Chinese players games suffered way more than Kenta, the lesser the spin the easier it is to block back. Kenta and the Japanese players benefited a lot from the new balls as most of their style is blocking and counterhitting. a lot of Chinese players are having to really change their style because of the new ball as most of their game revolves heavily around spin. Now a lot of them are having injuries cos their body is not used to the new techniques involved in their training which involves staying closer to the table and not using full arm smashes like what they're used to.

[@Hao_1]

The Japanese: a rising titan in table tennis. And a great player is Kenta Matsudaira

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

Hao Han Japan has always been a top team.

[@ongnarukami4451]

韩浩Han Hao He had his time

[@theempyrean1227]

That looks SO funny!! when those world class opponents couldn't handle/were baffled by those weird spin returns of his.

[@gamepilation7569]

ultimate player ,so dynamic and master of placement and timing , never seen anyone like him

[@yapa7891]

ただのブロックじゃないもんなぁ 繊細な技術が上手すぎ

[@RubenSanchez-wf3tt]

Kenta was a great player, a showman, and a virtuoso table tennis player. Maybe he wasn't always the most effective in terms of the final result of the smash, but I am forever grateful for his play. My question is, why did he stay at the top for such a short time?

[@kazzag7430]

3:00 is great from both sides!

[@superchaserbr]

His backhand smashes are incredible!

[@parasleonidas2833]

reflexes beyond words, great skills, pleasure to watch.

[@shaktisaxena7385]

He is showing signs of a comeback now!

[@yamaaa04]

まつけん本当に代表戻ってきて…

[@cansetyildiz9077]

Kenta MaTsudairA has a ver Fast footwork. and thats why he can use that toma hawk serve successfully. and that blocks were Just amazing.

[@ankushbarua4327]

Kenta omg what play , just blew my mind. I feel nostalgia about TT 😪. This corona and lockdown, I cant go to office to play TT.

[@Danilo-ri8gh]

Very cool side-chop block!

[@tamankumar9362]

It's side spin block

[@maestroz4695]

@@tamankumar9362 Pipe down, Pajeet.

[@poo_poo8019]

1:59 (replay: 2:05) that chop-block was so smooth 🔥👀💯

[@DrKakashi-ep9pq]

man thats some crazy looking serve right there...

[@marcolugano7035]

The backhand smash was insane...

[@suhitdata5491]

4:49 those backhands 😮😮

[@12aR9]

Such a great style, so fun to watch. Starting with that reverse crazy serve, then his backhand blocks and those strong shots after full run

[@АлександрГорбиков]

Это просто фантастика….!Браво Кента!

[@Nkosinati]

Wow. Crazy spin on some of those shots

[@elia9236]

His backhand topspin is amazing:)

[@andyyang3029]

My favorite player to watch, easily.

[@christianadriananiceta2753]

2:36 was insane!

[@CGoliday1]

Christian Adrian Aniceta thats that fanciful unicorn move deedee was showing Dexter

[@-danR]

Ding Ning would be Mrs. Tomahawk. Claims, incidentally that Ovtcharov, et al, have a 'tomahawk' serve totally misunderstand the origin of the phrase: the weapon classically was swung through a _vertical_ plane, and only by this means can a serve be _unpredictably made off the forehand or backhand side of the racquet._ It is an exceptionally rare type of service. I saw only one player use it, in the 70's, Dean Doyle in the Pacific Northwest. Until Ding Ning and Kenta revived it, I don't recall any player in any vids (eg. Pingpongstadiums' clips) from that era, and henceforward, using it.

[@DaRealFiberOptix]

god dam hes ruthless, not as consistent but the things he does are arguably the most skill based in the game. he reminds me of bruce lee with his speed skill accuracy. hes very patient and understands spin really really well

[@timcuba3233]

Нереальный талант, харимото нервно курит в сторонке.

[@ponapona3521]

2:42 adam: "what!!!! koki niwa!!"

[@orionbeltVking]

Kenta...wrist n backhand master..

[@17teacmrocks]

this is less about blocking than it is kenta being able to return everything. his touch is amazing. it's not easy to return zjk, ma lin, ma long's loops, and he does it on both sides, everywhere. for such a small guy, his coverage is extreme. vs samsonov, it's like david and goliath

[@robertvajda1038]

This guy is Magic !!!!!! Congratulations , good skills and technique , Bravo !!!!

[@alexmorskoy8703]

Amazing control from Kenta, I think his can be called japanese Waldner!

[@FBR2169]

@WARRIOR FIGHTER PAHLAWAN The Man the Myth the Legend J.O Waldner surely that should ring a bell...

[@si7289]

He's a unique style.

[@kavinxavier4552]

Kentas backhand is beautiful

[@amezhyst_hobby]

頼むからこの頃のプレースタイルに戻ってくれ（）

[@ratankirti3185]

that is my ideal backhand topspin action...

[@elmatador0705]

MAGIC ! :D I love this player ^^

[@viktorseifert9494]

0:53 has to be the best forehand flick ive ever seen.

[@yasinhenfs4540]

i love how xu xin walks like a crab :D

[@deyangkyipo2687]

Kenta is the most stylish and skilled tt player in the history. Chinee players may be powerful and fast, but their style is robotic and not beautiful. I wish there were many other who play like Kenta. It is so entertaining.

[@R4ngeR4pidz]

2:04 is out of this world

[@topspintt2891]

Go japan! Rise to the top

[@dariogutierrez6716]

Damn he used to be good. Hope he can come back

[@pokemon17007]

I like Kenta a lot since 2009, he played agaist Ma Lin. That match was awesome!!! However, seems Kenta has changed his style, less blocking, less chop block, less tomahawk, more agressive. But to me, that change is not affective, not to mention his style is not unique anymore. Watching Kenta plays recently I feel very boring :(

[@farhad0019]

Kenta matsudaira is the best

[@kenalbarracin1595]

Love those spins bruh

[@habibiirvaniharahap5409]

The best back hand

[@nyarome3]

The Magician!!

[@acepheisthebestplayerwahya6085]

Kenta he is the best player 👍👍

[@tabletenniswebcast]

やっぱり健太君、イケメン過ぎ！

[@野生の変質者]

おーー

[@ll3yWanTeD]

Such a nice style play

[@andreiyesin6177]

Его точность и тактика просто зашкаливает

[@art7046]

This man has skill

[@masterspin7796]

It's hard to believe this guy didnt get higher in the rankings...Some of his skills are rare..

[@elitefamilyparkour]

Rank 9 is quite high IMO

[@masterspin7796]

@@elitefamilyparkour That was a long time ago...

[@elitefamilyparkour]

@@masterspin7796 3,5 years ago.

[@masterspin7796]

@@elitefamilyparkour 3 years is fairly recent...but that was then and this is now...He has the skills to return to the top level..

[@christianadriananiceta2753]

how can Matsudaira handle Xu Xin's balls like that. he is good ..

[@MrHazz0]

I am sorry, I couldn't resist but : "Phrasing" >.< lol

[@Luqa]

Think about how that'd sound to comment readers...

[@mirsadajdari]

@@Luqa LMFAO I JUST Noticed (I am late tho)

[@ibukim.6067]

3:40 So good...

[@canadianbaka]

my god that side spin flick is dirty

[@christianadriananiceta2753]

that side-spin bock sure is pure magic if the top chinese have a difficulty returning it...

[@_chao]

Is it just me or does he look so free when he plays.

[@priyanshuraj2973]

Awesome serve

[@shenlincurve582]

4:37 that's so beautiful

[@eLdotC]

thank you

[@threestarstr]

Amazing player...😱😱😱😱

[@ユキミ大福-l7d]

2つ目のラリーはマツケンの攻撃力を集約したって感じがした！

[@alainbibaoco8392]

1:16 super baby

[@Oumaïmahajji25]

creative player! does he generate regular side spin or cork side spin??

[@jankay8569]

holy shit how did I never heard of this player? When it comes to Japanese male players the only one that seems to be shown is Jun Mizutani. This guy has such a unique playing style and skill. Why isn't he seen more in tournaments? Has he fallen off since then?

[@euphoria_kisses]

jankay the introduction of plastic poly balls replacing old celluloid balls affected Kenta's playstyle heavily. He isn't playing like he used to be sadly

[@entanglement2023]

柔よく剛を制すというもっとも日本的な戦術かも知れない

[@hashito1001]

バック面でギュイン(?)ってするやつ好き

[@blueheart9873]

Kenta used to be my inspiration when I was younger, too bad he's irrelevant now

[@briegconan1327]

incredible shot 2:40

[@timuitdewilligen]

nice video

[@rajanraut5907]

Thanks

[@ajayyadav6728]

Damn he's good. Its sad that he could not accomplish much

[@LaurenceNyein]

is that called Inside out backhand what Kenta mixed in the rallies?

[@tomascontreras4949]

2:36 Best.

[@a1988ditya]

wat a gameplay this guy has ...

[@braxshinoa]

Holy shit he is amazing

[@zaq147xs]

マツケンが日本で一番の天才代表復帰して中国に勝ってほしい

[@taroutanaka9638]

馬琳に勝った時は正直時期エースぐらいに思ってたけど、髪染めたり伸ばし出したあたりから勝てなくなったね。

[@砂浜-x9r]

Tarou Tanaka 好きだからTリーグでも頑張ってほしい。

[@JiveDadson]

2:04 Hate it when that happens.

[@草生次郎]

5:12 松阪牛

[@TuanPham-st2zv]

I can see Ma Long learned from Kenta's chop block

[@AdvancedEliteGaming]

How the hell does he do that inside out flip spin shot? It's like he inverts his wrist. What is it called ?

[@euphoria_kisses]

AdvancedEliteGaming it's just his rendition of sidespin+backspin block

[@annehunt1297]

kenta matsudaira.superstar nr1.no problems.estonia.

[@xingnanzav]

The key to beat Matsudaira is to relax. Use less power but be fast. Watch how FZD did that in 2013 Polish Open.

[@chrisie1997]

2:06 wtf is that for hit XD nice

[@훈-h2j]

유니크 그 자체

[@gergogreszlo8088]

yes

[@dhikipurnamaabdi2562]

permit to download thanks