Following the drama of recent weeks at the China and Hong Kong Opens it is shaping up to be equally exciting in Sapporo for the Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum LION Japan Open which reaches its climax on Sunday 16 June. One year on from his famous victory on home soil Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN) surrendered his Japan Open crown with a shock defeat in straight games to world-ranked 599 SUN Wen (CHN) (8-11 5-11 7-11 8-11). Few could have predicted that the 15-year-old talent and world #4 would fail to make the last 16 in front of his Japanese fans. Just one hour later it was the turn of the 2018 Japan Open Women’s Singles champion and world #7 Mima ITO (JPN) to crash out of the event after losing 4-2 to #56 GU Yuting (CHN) (11-7 7-11 8-11 9-11 14-12 10-12). A flurry of upsets on Friday also saw women’s world #4 ZHU Yuling (CHN) beaten 4-1 by #39 Miyu NAGASAKI (JPN) and #8 CHENG I-Ching (TPE) eliminated by #353 LIU Fei (CHN). Meanwhile men’s world #83 Ruwen FILUS (GER) came from two games down to knock out #17 WONG Chun Ting (HKG) 4-2 as world #49 Kazuhiro YOSHIMURA (JPN) defeated compatriot and #10 Koki NIWA by the same scoreline. Men’s world #1 FAN Zhendong (CHN) is in line to meet world champion and #5 MA Long (CHN) in what would be another epic quarter-final clash. MA’s victory at the China Open saw him set a new record for career ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles titles (28). Can ‘The Dragon’ make it 29 in Japan? Meanwhile #3 XU Xin could face the winner between Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) and JANG Woojin (KOR) in the final eight. On the other side of the men’s draw #2 LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) would most likely be drawn up against Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) and then LIANG Jingkun (CHN) as he bids to reach yet another ITTF World Tour final. In the Women’s Singles competition the most likely semi-final match-ups would pit world #1 CHEN Meng (CHN) against #5 WANG Manyu (CHN) and world champion and #2 LIU Shiwen (CHN) against #3 DING Ning (CHN). Live Streaming Live Blog Daily Schedule Photo Gallery Flash Quotes Media Kit Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Weibo LinkedIn
Saarbrucken hosts Development U 17 Camp
Germany’s town of Saarbrucken hosts Development U17 camp. Six boys and five girls from Italy Spain Portugal Belarus Belgium and Croatia works with eight sparing partners from TTC Saarbrucken. Coaches are Slobodan GRUJUC and Krisztina Toth.
Success for Table Tennis Study Programme in Thailand
The 3rd practical part of the Table Tennis Study Programme was successfully completed in Thailand from May 28th- June 4th 2019. This university degree study programme in sports coaching especially designed to suit the needs of table tennis players and coaches was launched at the Faculty of Kinesiology University of Split three years ago in conjunction with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU). The project has gathered professors and experts from more than 20 different well recognised institutions (universities/institutes/academies) worldwide and initially enrolled 20 students from 5 different continents. The last practical part of the programme for the 13 students of the first generation who made it to the final year was organised at several locations in Thailand (Bangkok Nakhon Si Thammarat) with great support of Sports Authorities of Thailand Table Tennis Association of Thailand and local government authorities which hosted the programme and provided all the attendees with perfect conditions and with well-known Thai hospitality. In return this time around the programme’s practical part was not a “closed” event organised only for the students attending the programme but it enabled access to the event for high performance Thai coaches selected by the Sports Authorities of Thailand and Table Tennis Association of Thailand. So at the same time the programme’s 3rd practical part was a high performance coaching seminar organised with aim to further boost development of table tennis in Thailand and provide their best coaches with an up to date science based coaching knowledge. The main topics of the seminar addressed long-term organisation of coaching process and identification and development of young table tennis prospects. Notable speakers were Neven CEGNAR the ETTU Development Manager Miran KONDRIČ and Irene Faber from the ITTF Sports Science and Medical Committee and the Thai professor PICHIT Muangnapo an expert for the stress and anxiety coping techniques. The ETTU Deputy President Ivo-Goran MUNIVRANA had also visited Thailand and greeted all the participants and organisers of the event in the name of the ETTU one of the initial partners in the programme’s launch. The programme and the seminar proved to be highly successful and attracted a big attention of the local media. Some of the pictures from the programme’s last practical can be found at following links (Bangkok Nakhon Si Thammarat).
Overwhelming kick-off event of “SingPong” breaks new table tennis merry-go-round world record
2 074 Primary-school pupils of the third and fourth grade from Düsseldorf had an extraordinary day at the Merkur Spiel-Arena on Wednesday. They sang danced and played table tennis all together and broke the world record for the most people playing merry-go-round at the same time within Borussia Düsseldorf’s new project “Sing Pong”. The kick-off event started at 10 o’clock with the song from Andreas Bourani “Auf uns (to us)”. There would have been no better song for the start as it is about big moments in life that will be remembered The stop-dance to warm up the great choir of the participants who sang six songs rehearsed during the “SingPause” in the last weeks the communal table tennis dance or the choreographed Walk to the ping-pong tables – every single part was amazing. But the highlight of the “SingPong”-premiere were still pending. At 10:55 the time had come for the 2 074 girls and boys to get ready to play 15 minutes of table tennis merry-go-round at 105 tables on the same location where the world record has been broken last year. It was 11:10 when Borussia manager Andreas Preuss announced: “Düsseldorf has the world record!” The kids burst into cheers. The picture on the grass showed a clef a table tennis racket and a table tennis ball. The sign of “SingPong” with the combination of singing and table tennis. Then it went on the appearance of the Düsseldorf singer-songwriter `enkelson.’ followed. The likeable 32-year-old sang his “Düsseldorf” song as a homage to his hometown. The kids danced with him and went with the singer through the arena to see the grand finale. While over 2000 children sang the “Ping Pong song” Borussia head coach Danny Hester played with city director Hintzsche and numerous kids’ table tennis on a self-made concert grand piano which was built by the “Graf Recke Stiftung” a foundation for people with mental problems. “This arena stands for sports and music so our event fitted in very well ” said Andreas Preuss. “And with this event we have beaten our fantastic world record from 2018. I’m totally overwhelmed. Many thanks to all our partners who support our social commitment!”
Record breaking meeting in Bratislava
Women’s Coaches Seminar The Women’s Coaches Seminar held this week in Bratislava gathered record breaking number of participants. From 15 National associations across the Europe 28 women and three men coaches attended the meeting. Branislav KALUZNY and Eva ODOROVA organized everything smoothly on behalf Slovakia’s Association. The lecturers were Jaroslaw KOLODZIEJCZYK Austrian National Coach and Lara BROICH German National Coach Cadet Girls alongside Katarzyna KUBAS ITTF Continental Development Manager – Women’s Activity Program Report. KOLODZIEJCZYK talked about coaching of young table tennis players and major technical mistakes whilst BROICH explained footwork learning methods with young players.
Both German teams top seeding list in Minsk
The 2019 European Games to be held in Minsk Belarus from 21st to 30th June (table tennis June 22-29) Both German teams top the seeding lists announced prior to the 2019 European Games to be held in Minsk Belarus from 21st to 30th June. Tennis Olympic Center with a capacity of 1 000 seats will host five table tennis events from 22nd to 29th June. A total 122 players will compete for the spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: three medallists in the men’s and women’s singles events will secure their places while the gold medallists in the men’s and women’s team events and mixed doubles event will get an Olympic quota. That’s why all best European players will travel to Minsk. Defending champion in Women’s Team event Germany is expected no. 1 seed followed by 2017 European Championships winner Romania (no. 2) two quarter-finalist at the 2017 ECH – Hungary (no. 3) Austria (no. 4) then 2015 European Games runner-up Netherlands (no. 5) forth placed side from 2015 EG Ukraine (no. 6) and 2015 EG quarter-finalist Poland. Three national teams share no. 8 spot on the seeding list: Spain Luxembourg and Russia. Quarter-finalist in Baku for years ago Sweden is no. 11 while host nation Belarus is no. 12. Actual European champion in Men’s Team event Germany once again will be top seeded side aiming its first European Games medal. They have been upset twice four years ago in Baku by France and Austria in the semi-finals and bronze medal contest respectively. Quarter-finalist in Baku Sweden is no. 2 seed followed by 2015 EG bronze medalist Austria (no. 3) 2016 Olympic Games quarter-finalist Great Britain (no. 4) 2015 EG runner-up France (no. 5) and 2017 European Championships bronze medalist Slovenia (no. 6) Croatia (no. 7) and host nation 2015 EG quarter-finalist Belarus (no. 8) led by great Vladimir SAMSONOV and 2015 EG champion Portugal (no. 9). Other three countries on the seeding list are following: Belgium (no. 10) Romania (no. 11) and Denmark (no. 12).
Don’t miss the drama of the Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Hong Kong Open!
Last week the spotlight was on Shenzhen as MA Long made history at the 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum China Open. Now all eyes are honed in on Hong Kong where a host of international stars are locking horns in search of more silverware as the event advances towards its climax on Sunday 9 June. The top two seeds LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) and Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN) both made it through to the final three days but each had to recover from a two-game deficit: LIN beat Ricardo WALTHER (GER) (8-11 10-12 11-2 11-5 11-6 12-10) as Tomokazu HARIMOTO overcame Jon PERSSON (SWE) (7-11 4-11 11-8 12-10 14-12 11-8). Home favourite WONG Chun Ting (HKG) kept alive the hopes of Hong Kong as the no.13 seed emerged victorious from his marathon seven-game match against Tomislav PUCAR (CRO) (11-9 11-2 6-11 4-11 8-11 14-12 16-14) to set up an intriguing round of 16 clash with Mattias FALCK (SWE) who knocked out last year’s champion Kazuhiro YOSHIMURA (JPN) in straight games (11-9 11-5 11-8 11-7). Simon GAUZY (FRA) caused arguably the biggest upset of the day as the world no.22 who has passed through the qualification rounds accounted for no.6 seed LEE Sangsu (KOR) in an epic encounter (11-5 6-11 8-11 11-8 9-11 11-8 11-8). There would be yet another seven-game classic for Quadri ARUNA (NGR) who is flying the flag for Africa. The no.15 seed eventually saw off ZHENG Peifeng (CHN) (12-10 11-9 9-11 11-5 5-11 10-12 11-5) to set up a round of 16 meeting with HARIMOTO (Friday at 20:00 GMT+8 live on itTV). Boasting the top two seeds in Hong Kong Kasumi ISHIKAWA and Mima ITO Japan’s hopes of winning Women’s Singles gold have been boosted by their dominant displays to date. ISHIKAWA brushed aside ZHANG Mo (CAN) (11-5 11-5 11-8 12-10) as ITO impressed in her victory over YU Mengyu (SGP) (11-5 11-4 11-7 11-7). There will be as many as five Japanese women competing in the round of 16 after Miu HIRANO Hitomi SATO and Saki SHIBATA also passed their tests on Thursday. SATO and SHIBATA will meet for a place in the quarter-final less than two weeks after their epic seven-game showdown at the 2019 ITTF Challenge Thailand Open. DOO Hoi Kem (HKG) remains the host nation’s only hope of glory in the Women’s Singles. The no.6 seed saw off Sarah DE NUTTE (LUX) in just four games (12-10 11-6 11-3 11-6). Europe’s trio of seeded women’s players are also aiming to continue their journey as Bernadette SZOCS (ROU) Sofia POLCANOVA (AUT) and SHAN Xiaona (GER) get set to take on SUH Hyowon (KOR) DOO Hoi Kem and FENG Tianwei (SGP) respectively. Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN and Sharath Kamal ACHANTA (IND) caused the biggest upset in the Men’s Doubles beating Ovidiu IONESCU (ROU) and Alvaro ROBLES (ESP) the no.4 seeds and runners-up at the recent Liebherr 2019 World Table Tennis Championships (12-10 4-11 11-9 11-7). Suthasini SAWETTABUT and Orawan PARANANG (THA) made their mark in Women’s Doubles overcoming the no.3 seeds Barbora BALAZOVA (SVK) and Hana MATELOVA (CZE) (11-6 11-6 8-11 11-8). In the Mixed Doubles Tomokazu HARIMOTO and Hina HAYATA (JPN) were sent crashing out by top seeds WONG Chun Ting and DOO Hoi Kem (HKG) (12-10 11-5 7-11 11-2) who have since progressed to tonight’s semi-finals where they will face last week’s China Open champions LIN Yun-Ju and CHENG I-Ching (TPE). Live Streaming Live Blog Daily Schedule Photo Gallery Flash Quotes Media Kit ITTF Social: Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Weibo LinkedIn
First Italian men’s team title for Top Spin Messina
It was a long time since a team formed only by Italian athletes won the National Championship. The mission was accomplished by Top Spin Messina which reserved the first title in its history. In the final encounter the boys led by President Giorgio QUARTUCCIO accounted for A4 Verzuolo Tonoli-Scotta by 4-2 in the second leg. They did it in front of their fans after the draw (3-3) in the first leg. The heroes of the triumphal outcome were Antonino AMATO Jordy PICCOLIN Marco RECH DALDOSSO and Damiano SERETTI trained by the coach Wang HONG LIANG. There was a great crowd in Villa Dante to cheer the local players and at the end of an hard battle they managed to hit the target. A4 Verzuolo fought at its best thanks to Ukraine’s Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO Alessandro BACIOCCHI Daniele PINTO and Mattia GARELLO led by the coach Valentino PIACENTINI who did not surrender till the last point. The Italian title went back to Sicily for the third time after the wins of Body Center Messina in 1999 and of Città di Siracusa in 2012. Top Spin which is a real sport glory of the city ended a great season considering also that the championship followed the trophy won in the Italian Cup to make the “double”. Next year the team will be able to play at home the Supercup.
Brunetti Castel Goffredo won the 17th trophy in Italian Championships
Brunetti Castel Goffredo won the Italian women championship for the 17th time in the its history. In the final which was played at the best of five matches they beat Teco Corte Auto Cortemaggiore winning the first three matches by 4-1 4-2 and 4-2. The last match took place in PalaTennistavolo “Elia Mazzi” of Castel Goffredo and so the team could celebrate the win with all its fans. The new Italian champions are LI Xiang from China and Chiara Colantoni TIAN Jing and LE Thi Hong Loan trained by the coaches Alfonso LAGHEZZA and Jiang ZILONG. The adversary team was formed by Czech Republic’s Renata STRBIKOVA Ukraine’s Ganna FARLADANSKA and Arianna BARANI and Ileana IRRERA led by Olga DZELINSKA. It was the fourth title in a row for Castel Goffredo which got the first five from 1996 to 2000 the following seven from 2002 to 2008 and the 13th one in 2010. The club also won two Champions League in 2006 and in 2007. In this season the club have already clinched the Supercup and the Italian Cup and so it completed the Triple Crown.
ITTF announces partnership with Wellbet as Official Sponsor of the Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open
The ITTF confirms that it has signed a partnership with Wellbet as Official Sponsor of the Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open which will take place in Geelong Australia between 9-14 July 2019. The online gaming company is rapidly becoming one of the most popular online entertainment sites in Asia. Wellbet previously sponsored Italy’s premier football league Serie A in 2016-2017 and is currently the official sponsor of Dutch football giant PSV Eindhoven. “We are very proud to be able to team up with the ITTF and sponsor the prestigious Australian Open event. Table tennis is a very popular sport especially in Asia-Pacific. This partnership is consistent with our goal of promoting a diverse sporting programme ” said Mark Lu Director of Communications at Wellbet. “Table tennis is a global sport. It has intrinsic ties with the Asia-Pacific region where it boasts a phenomenally strong and ever-growing fanbase. We are delighted to announce this partnership with Wellbet to promote its brand around the world and to develop joint social media campaigns to engage with our followers “ stated Kimberly Koh Head of Sponsorship at ITTF. This will be the landmark 10th edition of the Australian Open which belongs to the ITTF World Tour Platinum Series. This is the top tier of six events offering higher prize money and world ranking points than the six Regular events on the ITTF World Tour thus attracting the sport’s biggest star players leading to greater media output and promotional activities. The 2019 Australian Open will see players compete in Men’s Singles Women’s Singles Men’s Doubles Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles categories in the quest for points to qualify for the season-ending Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals. Stay tuned for more updates on this year’s Australian Open and the entire 2019 ITTF World Tour journey on ITTF.com as well as the ITTF’s social media channels: Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube and Weibo.
