Yasaka Table Tennis

Making a Difference with Yasaka Table Tennis Equipments

Mr. Hirose Yaoita and Mr. Sakamoto only wished to produce products with the highest technical quality and a state-of-the-art performance. With this dream, they have established one of the world’s leading table tennis products provider in the world today.

It was year 1947 when Yaoita and Sakamoto joined forces and found YASAKA Table Tennis (YAoita + SAKAmoto). Yaoita was a successful table tennis player in his time while Sakamoto was an entrepreneur, but what brought them closer together is their similar passion for this sport, plus they are good friends.

In the 1950’s, since it had the opportunity to stay in close connection with Japan’s top players that took over championship titles over tiles in the international field, YASAKA table tennis built up rapidly. YASAKA table tennis provided most of the rubber covering for wooden blades all over the world. By the end of 1960’s, the company made a break through in their development and introduction of one of the most sought-after rubbers in the sporting industry.

One of their greatest accomplishments in their entire existence is their development of the rubber MARK V. The player who used their rubber won the 1970 European Championship title as well as the 1971 World Championship subsequently. The YASAKA table tennis MARK V made a series of victory all across the globe. Since then, their MARK V was known for being of the highest quality and is probably the most marketed table tennis products in the sporting market of today.

In the early 1990’s, YASAKA table tennis tried for the very first time, entering the blade production industry. Their factory was located in Sweden. After several months of extensive research and product development, Gatien EXTRA blade was born. The blade was designed in close observation and cooperation with the 1993 World Champion Jean-Philippe Gatien. Since its creation, the Gatien EXTRA has become one of the best selling blades in all corners of the world.

In the year 2000, the entire table tennis manufacturers faced a challenge when the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) altered the standardized regulation regarding the official size of the ping pong ball. The 40 millimeter ball was introduced and was foreseen to improve table tennis in general. However, proving the exceptional performance of YASAKA table tennis blades, it was amongst the few who have sustained and was deemed suitable for the new size of the ball. Since then, more and more players adopted and have generally developed new techniques - of course with the help of YASAKA table tennis equipments.