Kaii Yoshida

2.1. Birth and Early Life

Kaii Yoshida was born on May 16, 1981, in Xinji, Hebei, China. He began playing table tennis at the age of seven at the Hebei Institute of Physical Education, where he was coached by Liu Wenqing. He is an only child. He is 70 in ^{(178 cm)} tall and weighs 154 lb ^{(70 kg)}.

2.2. Naturalization and Name Change

Yoshida was scouted by a Japanese coach in 1997, leading to his relocation to Japan. After completing three years of tertiary education at Aomori Yamada High School and two years of university education at Aomori University, he became a Japanese citizen in March 2004. Upon naturalization, he changed his name from Song Haiwei to Kaii Yoshida. The name "Yoshida" was chosen in honor of his high school coach, Yoshida Yasuo. He later changed his registered name to Konishi Kaii.

3.1. Early Career and Move to Japan

Yoshida's initial table tennis training took place at the Hebei Institute of Physical Education in China. His talent was recognized by a Japanese coach in 1997, which facilitated his move to Japan. Before embarking on his international competitive career, he completed his education at Aomori Yamada High School and Aomori University.

3.2. Domestic Career and Achievements

Yoshida established himself as a dominant force in Japanese domestic table tennis. He notably achieved an unprecedented three consecutive men's singles titles at the Inter-High School tournament between 1997 and 1999. In 2000 and 2001, he won the All Japan Student Table Tennis Championships in men's singles and men's doubles, respectively.
In 2004, he made a remarkable debut at the All Japan Table Tennis Championships, winning the men's singles title in his first appearance. He successfully defended this title in 2005, becoming a two-time consecutive champion. Yoshida also dominated the Japan Top 12 Table Tennis Tournament, securing four consecutive men's singles titles from 2005 to 2008. In 2004, he won the Japan Table Tennis League Big Tournament.
Despite his early dominance, his later domestic career saw increased competition from younger players. He was a runner-up in the All Japan Table Tennis Championships in 2007, 2008, and 2010, notably losing to Jun Mizutani in the finals of 2007 and 2009, and being defeated by high schooler Kenta Matsudaira in the semifinals in 2008.

3.3. International Career and Rankings

Yoshida participated extensively in international competitions sanctioned by the ITTF. His highest world ranking was 20th, achieved in June 2010, and he was ranked 21st in July 2010.
He notably won his first men's singles title on the ITTF Pro Tour at the 2006 Serbian Open. He also achieved third place in the 2008 ITTF Pro Tour Chile Open and the 2009 ITTF Pro Tour Japan Open. In team events, he contributed to Japan's bronze medal wins at the 2008 and 2010 World Team Table Tennis Championships. He secured a silver medal with the men's team at the 2009 Asian Table Tennis Championships and the 2009 East Asian Games, and a bronze at the 2007 Asian Table Tennis Championships and the 2010 Asian Games. He also claimed bronze medals in men's team at the 2005 Asian Table Tennis Championships and 2011 World Cup, and in mixed doubles at the 2005 Asian Table Tennis Championships. His career includes victories over notable players like Zhuang Zhiyuan and Zoran Primorac.

3.4. Playing Style

Kaii Yoshida is known for his distinctive pen-hold grip playing style, a minority approach in modern table tennis, and uses only one side of his racket, unlike some Chinese players such as Wang Hao. He is an inverted rubber drive offensive player. His powerful drive technique is considered among the top-class by experts like Koji Matsushita. However, his weaknesses include his table control techniques. Due to his reliance on extensive footwork, he has experienced physical setbacks, including tenosynovitis in 2005 and a shoulder injury in 2006. He used the "Yoshida Kaii" racket and Tenergy 64 rubber on his forehand.

4.1. World Table Tennis Championships

Yoshida has represented Japan in five World Table Tennis Championships, making his debut in 2005 and his final appearance in 2010.

4.2. Asian Games and Asian Championships

4.3. ITTF Pro Tour and Other International Tournaments

4.4. Major Domestic Tournaments

5.1. Marriage

Kaii Yoshida married fellow table tennis player An Konishi on June 5, 2010, at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa. They have appeared together on television programs, including "Table Tennis Japan!" with their child, Kurei.

7.1. Arrest for Indecent Assault Allegations

On August 21, 2024, Kaii Yoshida was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault. Police stated that he allegedly touched the body of a student's mother at a table tennis school where he served as an instructor, with the intent of committing an indecent act, while they were alone. Yoshida reportedly admitted to touching her body.