Japanese prodigy 12,eyes Olympics

TAIPEI, July 29, 2013 (AFP) - Twelve-year-old Japanese table tennis prodigy Mima Ito has set her sights on challenging China's hegemony at the next Olympics after once again wowing audiences in Taiwan.

Ito won the under-15 and under18 events at the Chinese Taipei Junior and Cadet Open over the weekend, retaining the titles she won two years ago at the age of just 10.

“I am very happy to have won this double title for the second time after two years,” she said in an International Table Tennis Federation press release.

“Two years ago my technique was very basic and I won purely on my reflexes. This year, I have a much higher level of technique. I

I am very happy to have won this double title for the second time after two years

learned a lot of new shots and variations to assist my play.”Ito caused a sensation when she won in 2011. Then, the child star was mobbed by fans and had people queueing for 30 minutes for an autograph.