1. Early life and background
Maki Shiomi's early life and academic pursuits laid the foundation for her professional table tennis career.
1.1. Childhood and education
Born on May 12, 2000, Maki Shiomi hails from Ehime Prefecture, Japan. During her formative years, she attended Shitennoji High School, an institution recognized for its strong athletic programs, particularly in table tennis. Her time at Shitennoji High School was a significant period in her development as a player, contributing to her skills and competitive readiness for the professional circuit.
2. Career
Maki Shiomi has established a notable career as a professional table tennis player, characterized by a distinctive playing style and affiliations with prominent clubs, leading to numerous significant achievements in both domestic and international competitions.
2.1. Playing style and characteristics
Shiomi employs a right-handed shakehand grip, a common yet versatile technique in table tennis. Her distinctive characteristic is an "atypical attack type" (異質攻撃型ishitsu kōgeki-gataJapanese), which suggests she incorporates unconventional tactics or equipment (such as different rubber types on her racket) to create varied spins and speeds, making her an unpredictable opponent. This unique approach allows her to disrupt her opponents' rhythm and control rallies.
2.2. Club affiliations and activities
Throughout her career, Maki Shiomi has been associated with several distinguished table tennis organizations in Japan. She has competed for Mikihouse, a well-known sports club, and also for Sanritsu. In more recent years, Shiomi joined Kyushu Astiida, a team participating in Japan's professional T.League, representing them in the 2021-2022 season and rejoining the team from 2024 onwards. Her participation in these clubs highlights her consistent engagement in high-level team competitions.
2.3. Major achievements
Shiomi has accumulated a range of significant accomplishments in various table tennis tournaments. Her achievements span both singles and doubles events on the international ITTF tours and prominent domestic competitions.
| Year | Tournament | Level | Partner | Opponent(s) | Score | Rank | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Czech Open | World Tour | - | Yang Xiaoxin | 0-4 | Runner-up | Women's Singles |
| 2018 | All Japan Table Tennis Championships | Domestic | - | - | - | Runner-up | Women's Doubles |
| 2019 | Paraguay Open | Challenge | Honoka Hashimoto | Adriana Díaz Melanie Díaz | 3-1 | Winner | Women's Doubles |
| 2019 | Polish Open | Challenge | Honoka Hashimoto | Lee Eun-hye Shin Yu-bin | 3-1 | Winner | Women's Doubles |
| 2020 | All Japan Table Tennis Championships | Domestic | - | - | - | 3rd place | Women's Doubles |
| 2020 | ITTF Challenge, Spanish Open | Challenge | Honoka Hashimoto | Satsuki Odo Saki Shibata | 0-3 | Runner-up | Women's Doubles |
| 2022 | Japan League Championship Big Tournament | Domestic | - | - | - | Runner-up | Women's Doubles |
| 2023 | Japan League Championship Big Tournament | Domestic | - | - | - | Winner | Women's Doubles |
| 2025 | All Japan Table Tennis Championships | Domestic | - | - | - | Runner-up | Women's Doubles |