Mizutani trained in Dusseldorf, Germany, from 2003 to 2007. During this period, he played for Borussia Munster, Germania Holthausen, and Borussia Dusseldorf. In 2008, he moved to China and competed in the China Table Tennis Super League for three seasons. After the 2012 London Olympics, he joined the Russian Premier League before returning to Japan in 2018.

Achievements and Awards

In 2016, Mizutani made history by becoming the first Japanese table tennis player to win a medal in the singles event at the Olympic Games. He secured a bronze medal in men's singles at the Rio de Janeiro Games. This achievement also marked him as the first male table tennis player from Japan to win an Olympic medal in any event.

Mizutani's accolades include being named the Male Most Valuable Player for the 2018/19 T-League season in Japan. He also received the Aomori Prefecture Citizen Special Merit Award and the Iwata Citizen Merit Award in 2016.

Challenges and Injuries

In March 2019, Mizutani revealed that he had been dealing with an eye condition since January 2018. The condition affects his ability to see the ball under certain lighting conditions. He began receiving Ocular Surface and External Integrated Remodeling Therapy (OSIERT) treatment in April 2019 to help manage this issue.

Mizutani also faced a back injury that forced him to withdraw from the 2019 Japan Top 12 event. Despite these challenges, he continued to perform at a high level.

Personal Life and Interests

Mizutani is married and has one daughter. He speaks Japanese fluently and is known by his nickname "Mijun." His parents have been the most influential figures in his career. His sporting philosophy is encapsulated in his motto: "Either be strong or be weak."

Coaching and Club Affiliations

Mizutani is coached by Yosuke Kurashima at the national level and GC Foerster personally since 2019. He plays for Kinoshita Meister Tokyo in Japan. Originally right-handed, he switched to playing left-handed on his parents' advice to gain a competitive edge.

Retirement Plans

Mizutani plans to retire after competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He views these Games as the culmination of his sporting career. Although he does not have specific plans post-retirement, he remains open to returning to table tennis if it continues to be his primary motivation.

Other Ventures

In addition to his sports career, Mizutani has explored acting and writing. In 2017, he appeared in a cameo role in the Japanese film 'Mix.' He has also authored two books: 'Table Tennis King Jun Mizutani's Rules of Victory' and 'Losers Spend Their Time on Training Ineffectively.'

Mizutani's journey through various leagues and countries has enriched his experience and skills. His dedication and resilience have made him a respected figure in table tennis globally.