Mima Ito (born 21 October 2000 in Iwata, Japan) is one of the most successful and innovative Japanese table tennis players of her generation. She became famous very early as a child prodigy, breaking several “youngest ever” records in Japanese and international competitions. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Ito won a bronze medal in the women’s team event at the age of just 15, becoming the youngest Olympic table tennis medallist in that category. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she reached a new peak: together with Jun Mizutani she won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles, and she also took bronze in women’s singles and silver with the women’s team.
Ito is known for her aggressive, creative playing style, combining explosive forehand attacks, precise backhand strokes and very early ball timing close to the table. Many observers see her as one of the few players capable of seriously challenging the dominance of Chinese women’s table tennis, and she has repeatedly defeated top Chinese players on major stages. Beyond her titles and medals, Mima Ito is admired for her fighting spirit, tactical intelligence and willingness to take risks in big matches.