2010
For the first time in school history the Lindenwood Lady Lions table tennis team won a team National Championship. It was a dominant regular season for the Lady Lions as they would roll through numerous tournaments with top honors. With all the season tournaments in the books, it was time for the Lady Lions to travel to Waukesha, Wisconsin for the 2010 National Championship tournament. In the team competition, the Lady Lions captured the Women's Collegiate National Table Tennis Championship over defending champion, Texas Wesleyan University, by the score of 3-2. The ladies would start their run to a title when Lady Lions, Livia Mizobuchi and Karin Fukushima, captured the national title in women's doubles over defending champion, Texas Wesleyan University of Fort Worth, by the score of (10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7). The deciding match was played by Lindenwood's Livia Mizobuchi and Karin Fukushima. Their victory secured the first ever table tennis team victory for Lindenwood.
2012
For the second time in program history, the Lindenwood Lady Lions won the national women’s team title at the 2012 College Table Tennis Championships in Plano, Texas. The combination of Michelle John, Karin Fukushima, Leine Agata and Eja Batbold entered competition as the top seeded team and won their semifinal match three games to one over New York University to advance to the finals. There, they topped Toronto University by the same three games to one margin to claim the championship.
In addition to the women’s team victory, the Lions also captured the men’s individual title. It was an all Lindenwood final as Fernando Yamazato and Venkat Ramesh faced each other for the championship. As would be expected with two teammates that know each other well, the match went a full seven games before Yamazato prevailed to earn the title (11-8, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7).
Watch the Yamazato vs. Ramesh Men’s Final
