Japanese table tennis icon Ai Fukuhara was set to withdraw from Chinese table tennis league to pursue study in university, said Fukuhara after losing the quarterfinal in women's table tennis World Cup on Saturday in Urumqi.

"I learned a lot from Chinese league and it helped me shrug off fear of mighty Chinese players, but now I think I should begin my school education," said the 17-year-old who is popular both in China and Japan.

"I have already been enrolled by Waseda University in Tokyo to take on the major of sports science. I have to be back to school from April next year, so I think I need to pull out of the Chinese league," added Fukuhara in Chinese.

The Japanese wunderkind Ai Fukuhara withered under a barrage of heavy-hitting Tie Yana from Hong Kong, China, in the World Cup quarterfinal.

Fukuhara, known in Japan as "Ai-chan" or Little Ai, failed to repeat her third place finish at last tournament, trounced by the fourth-ranked Tie 11-6, 11-5, 12-10, 11-8.

"I didn't have any chance against Tie Yana," the doll-faced Japanese said in Chinese. "She was unbelievable."

Japan pins a medal hope on Fukuhara in the 2008 Olympics while Chinese see her a major threat in the near future.

"Fukuhara is a very promising player and we think she will get even better in 2008," said Chinese coach Shi Zhihao. wunderkind Ai Fukuhara admits the super-competitive Chinese league has made her a better player.

Following her mother, Chiyo Fukuhara, into the world of table tennis, she began playing at the age of 3 and became a professional at 10. The following year, she became the youngest player ever to become a member of the Japanese national team.

At age 13, she reached the quarterfinals of the Japanese championships. In the following year, she finished fifth in the world championships in Paris. In 2004, she led Japan to a world team bronze medal.

At 15, Fukuhara made her Olympic debut, reaching the round of 16.

Once famous for bursting into tears when she lost a match, the Olympic experience helped Fukuhara grow up.

A child celebrity since she could barely hold a bat, she would frequently throw tantrums if she lost to grown-up studio guests and her mood would only improve if they let her win the next game.

Now, Fukuhara has graduated from a cuddly figure to a respected player.

Fukuhara, who is 155 centimeters tall, imitates the fast-attacking style of legendary Chinese Deng Yaping, who stands only 149cm. Like Deng, Fukuhara uses pimpled rubber on the backhand and reversed rubber on the forehand.

She is quick on the floor, has a lightning forehand and nearly perfect footwork.

"Even as the world No. 1, Zhang Yining never takes Fukuhara lightly," said Chinese coach Shi. "She will have a bright future."

Source: Xinhua