89th Lithuanian championship took place in the capital of Lithuania Vilnius. Kornelija RILISKYTE for the first and Alfredas UDRA for the fifth time won Lithuanian National Championships.   In the final game Kornelija RILISKYTE 4:1 (11:9 9:11 11:7 11:4 11:3) won against Auguste MELAIKAITE. 3rd place winners are Ugne BASKUTYTE and Emilija RILISKYTE.   The winner of men’s singles event is Alfredas UDRA. He won final game against last year champion Medardas STANKEVICIUS 4:1 (11:9 11:6 11:8 6:11 11:6). 3rd place winners are Valdas MARTINKUS and Matas VILKAS.   Egle JANKAUSKIENE and Vitalija VENCKUTE won the champions title in women’s doubles event after they beat Auguste MELAIKAITE and Andzelika PETRAUSKIENE. 3rd place winners: Ugne BASKUTYTE and Aukse RASIMAVICIENE; Emilija and Kornelija RILISKYTE’s.   The gold medallists in men’s doubles event became Alfredas and Manfredas UDRA’s. Silver medal winners are Agnius KACERAUSKAS and Medardas STANKEVICIUS. 3rd place winners: Arnoldas and Tonetas DOMEIKA’s; Rimas LESIV and Kestutis ZEIMYS.   The mixed doubles champions Kornelija RILISKYTE and Alfredas UDRA won against Emilija RILISKYTE and Matas SKUCAS in the finals. 3rd place winners: Vitalija Venckute and Matas VILKAS; Ugne BASKUTYTE and Medardas Stankevicius.   “Championships was full of beautiful matches and emotions. We want to thank for all participant and atmosphere that they gave and also to everyone who worked to have this championships in such high level” said Egle KAZYTE.

In The final of the Men’s Singles Andrei PUTUNTICA went full distance against the last-year’s champion his teammate Vladislav URSU to became a new champion of Moldova. At third place is Denis TERNA from Dubossary.   In Women’s Singles the victory went to player from Dubossary Olga BLIZNET. The team-mate of the new champion Alexandra KIRYAKOVA became the silver medalists. In third place is Ekaterina ZHIBRIK from Chisinau.   In the Men’s Doubles Event champions are Andrei PUTUNTICA and Vladislav URSU. In the women’s doubles victory went to Olga BLIZNETS and Alexandra KIRYAKOVA. In the mixed doubles Andrei PUTUNTICA and Ekaterina ZHIBRIK took the first place.  

Sweden’s National Championships   Truls MÖREGÅRDH and Linda BERGSTRÖM clinched the titles at the Swedish National Championships. Since Linda was already in the national team as winner Truls booked his tiket for Hungary. As a winner of Men’s Singles Event he will join the team of Sweden at the World Championships at the end of April. Men’s Singles 1. Truls Möregårdh Eslövs AI BTK2. Kristian Karlsson Halmstad BTK3. Mattias Falck Halmstad BTK3. Anton Källberg Söderhamns UIF Womens’ Singles1. Linda Bergström Ängby SK2. Matilda Ekholm Boo KFUM IA3. Christina Källberg Köpings BTK3. Filippa Bergand Eslövs AI BTKMedaljörerna i mixeddubbel. Mixed Doubles1. Mattias Falck/Matilda Ekholm Halmstad BTK/Boo KFUM IA2. Truls Möregårdh/Filippa Bergand Eslövs AI BTK3. Fabian Åkerström/Erika Fronth Halmstad BTK3. Harald Andersson/Tilda Johansson Halmstad BTKMen’s Doubles 1. Truls Möregårdh/Jon Persson Eslövs AI BTK/Söderhamns UIF2. Simon Berglund/Malte Möregårdh Spårvägens BTK/BTK Rekord3. Viktor Brodd/Hampus Nordberg Söderhamns UIF3. Anders Eriksson/Anton Källberg Söderhamns UIFMedaljörerna i damdubbel. Women’s Doubles 1. Michaela Karlsson/Christina Källberg Köpings BTK2. Rebecca Tviet Muskantor/Caroline Tanska LinnePartille PK/Eslövs AI BTK3. Linda Bergström/Jennifer Jonsson Ängby SK/Norrtulls SK3. Erika Fronth/Tilda Johansson Halmstad BTKMedaljörer U20 damer Under 20 Women1. Stina Källberg Köpings BTK2. Filippa Bergand Eslövs AI BTK3. Jennie Edvinsson Halmstad BTK3. Erika Fronth Halmstad BTKMedaljörer U20 herrar Under 20 Men1. Per Sandström Söderhamns UIF2. Anton Hjort Söderhamns UIF3. Jonatan McDonald Norrtulls SK3. Martin Friis Spårvägens BTKMedaljörer stående dubbel klass 6-10 Classes 6-101. Emil Andersson/Linus Karlsson Västers BTK2. Daniel Gustafsson/Henrik Sandbladh Västers BTK3. Michael Azulay/Nicklas Westerberg Askims BTK/Idrottsföreningen För Alla Eskilstuna3. Einar Sahle/Jonas Hansson LinnePartille PKMedaljörer rullstolsdubbel klass 1-5 Classes 1-51. Isak Nyholm/David Olsson IK Juno/Eslövs AI BTK2. Magnus Nordgren/Anna-Carin Ahlquist Docksta BTK/IFK Österåkers BTK3. Philip Brooks/Kaj Andersson FIFH/LinnePartille PK3. Frida Dämhagen/Frida Lund FIFHMedaljörer herrar lag para. Men para1. Emil Andersson/Linus Karlsson Västers BTK2. Daniel Gustafsson/Henrik Sandbladh Västers BTK3. Jonas Hansson/Einar Sahle LinnePartille PK3. Michael Azulay/Albin Hedlund Askims BTKVictor Sjöqvist. Classes 2-31. Anna-Carin Ahlquist IFK Österåkers BTK2. Victor Sjöqvist KFUM Jönköpings IAMedaljörer rullstol klass 4-5. Classes 4-51. Magnus Nordgren Docksta BTK2. David Olsson Eslövs AI BTKMedaljörer stående klass 7. Classes 61. Michael Azulay Askims BTK2. Peter Molander FIFH3. Fredik Wätterklint Linköpings Parasportförening3. Christoffer Petersson IFAHMedaljörer i stående klass 7. Classes 71. Nicklas Westerberg Idrottsföreningen För Alla Eskilstuna2. Jonas Hansson LinnePartille PK3. Noah Olsson BTK Frej3. Viktor Söderlund FIFHMedaljörer i stående klass 8. Classes 81. Emil Andersson Västers BTK2. Fabian Rignell Lindome BTK3. Tobias Andersson KFUM Kristianstad BTF3. Linus Karlsson Västers BTKStående klass 9-10. Classes 9-101. Daniel Gustafsson Västers BTK2. Henrik Sandbladh Västers BTK3. Rasmus Björling Karlsborgs BTK3. David Schultze Horreds BTKMedaljörer utvecklingsnedsättning klass 11. Classes 111. Erik Prusaakiewicz Boo KFUM IA2. William Lerup Malmö IF3. Joakim Lyktberg Idrottsföreningen För Alla Eskilstuna3. Oskar Tuvesson Västers BTK Classes 6-101. Anja Händén Östra Stadsgränsen TK2. Jeanette Björndal Rudalens IFMedaljörer herrar veteraner 40 para Veterans 40 para1. Henrik Sandbladh Västers BTK2. Magnus Nordgren Docksta BTK3. Mats Persson Linköpings Parasportförening3. Victor Sjöqvist KFUM Jönköpings IA

Vildan GADIEV beat Saadi ISMAILOV in the Men’s Singles final to clinch the crown at the Russia’s National Championships. He won silver last year. Svetlana KREKINA created big upset by reaching the highest step at the medal rostrum. At age of 37 she won gold in Women’s Doubles as well. Alexander SHIBAEV (champion in 2018) has been injured and exited after his first match. All best players took participation in this championships. Pair GREBNEV and KATSMAN beat Alexey LIVENTSOV and Mikhail PAIKOV in semifinal and pair Kirill SKACHKOV – Saadi ISMAILOV in final. Men Singles 1. Vildan GADIEV2. Saadi ISMAILOV3. Mikhail PAYKOV and Maxim CHAPLYGIN Women Singles1. Svetlana KREKINA2. Yulia PROKHOROVA3. Polina MIKHAILOVA and Olga VOROBIEVA Team Events. Men and Women Teams – Moscow 1-st place Mens Doubles1. Maxim GREBNEV and Lev KATSMANWomen Doubles1. Svetlana KREKINA and Anna BIKBAEVAMixed Doubles1. Andrey BAIBULDIN and Anna BIKBAEVA.

Finnish championships gave for the first time for years really new and surprising champions. Even so surprising that most of the attendees had never seen all the masters ever before!   However not all the masters are surprising as Benedek OLÁH took his his eighth Men’s Singles title after an overwhelming show. The finalist was the same as a year ago 17-year-old Alex NAUMI who suffered a 1-4 defeat.   OLÁH had no real difficulties at any point during the competition. OLÁH playing his second season in France’s main league may be in the best shape of his career and definitely wants to join the Tokyo Olympic tables. OLÁH also took the men’s doubles victory together with NAUM.   A new champion was crowned in Women’s Singles when favourite Anastasiia BURKOVA was beating Marina DONNER 4-2. Still on Saturday in group matches DONNER was better. The best match of the whole competition was seen in Women’s Singles semi-final when BURKOVA defeated Anna KIRICHENKO in 4-3 and 17-15 in the seventh set. Like OLÁH BURKOVA became a double champion as she won Women’s Doubles with Sofie ERIKSSON.   The most surprising title in the tournament was the victory in Men’s Doubles won by Marina DONNER and Johan PETTERSSON from Åland. The players live on the island and play in Sweden and for most Finns they were completely new acquaintances.   PETTERSSON is a left-handed player born in Sweden. He has been playing in Spårvägen. DONNER moved to Sweden from Sotshi area 20 years ago and studied there as a doctor. He married a Finnish man and the twin moved to Åland. At least the 36-year-old will not end up in fitness as she is also one of Finland’s top performers in triathlon!   So the Finnish champion was a couple one of whom was from Russia and the other was Sweden. The winner of Women’s Singles is Russian and the parents of Men’s Singles winner moved to Finland from Hungary. Anna KIRICHENKO’S parents moved to Finland from Russia. Father of Men’s Doubles gold medalist Miikka 0´CONNOR’S father moved to Finland from England. It is also noted that the mother tongue of Women’s Doubles winner Sofie ERIKSSON is Swedish.   Indeed Finnish table tennis can thank the world for its globalization. And we like to do it!   Finnish Championships Tampere   MS 1) Benedek Oláh 2) Alex Naum 13-11 11-9 11-8 7-11 11-8 3) Miikka O’Connor and Samuli Soine   WS 1) Anastasiia Burkova 2) Marina Donner 5-11 8-11 11-4 11-9 11-4 11-7 15-13 3) Anna Kirichenko and Sofie Eriksson   MD 1) Benedek Oláh/Alex Naumi 2) Otto Tennilä/Miikka O’Connor 11-2 11-13 10-12 11-9 11-7 3) Pasi Valasti/Mika Räsänen and Toni Soine/Samuli Soine   WD (group) 1) Anastasiia Burkova/Sofie Eriksson 2) Anna Kirichenko/Elli Rissanen 3) Jannika Oksanen/Marina Donner   Mixed 1) Johan Pettersson/Marina Donner 2) Matias Ojala/Sofie Eriksson 11-8 8-11 11-7 14-12 3) Pasi Valasti/Jannika Oksanen and Miikka O´Connor/Pihla Eriksson   More detailed results (only in Finnish):   Kilpailun tulokset

Charlotte CAREY & Callum EVANS retained their National women and men titles respectively yesterday at the Aspire 2Be National Championships held in Cardiff. CAREY who won a 5th title (4 in a row) and EVANS who won his third in a row are both representing Wales at the World Championships in Budapest this April.   In the women’s final Charlotte raced to a 3/0 lead versus Anna HURSEY. The Cardiff player did get a set back winning the 4th 11/9 but the Ebbw Vale player took the final set to win 4/1. In the men’s final Callum beat Dean CUNDY in straight sets 11/2 11/8 11/5 11/9 to clinch the title.   Well done to semi finalists Chris GRIFFITHS Benedict WATSON Danielle KELLY & Lara WHITTON   Other winners on the day were:   Vets 40 Singles – Neil Wright (R/up – Lee Thomas) U21 Men – Josh Stacey (R/up – Callum Evans) U21 Women – Anna Hursey (R/up Beth Richards) Men’s Doubles – Callum Evans/Louie Evans (R/up – Ryan Owen/Benedict Watson) Women Doubles – Charlotte Carey/Lauren Stacey (R/up – Anna Hursey/Beth Richards) Mixed Doubles – Charlotte Carey/Callum Evans (R/up Louie Evans/Beth Richards) Vets 60 singles – Ray Goulding (R/up – Dennis Bromage) U11 Boys – Winner Harri Palfrey (R/up Toby Harwood) U11 Girls – Winner Sophie Barcsai (R/up Seren Jones) U13 Boys – Rhys Hetherton (R/up Evan Williams) U13 Girls – Sophie Barcsai (R/up Ruby Elliott) Vets 40 Doubles – Winners Neil Wright/Steve Hall (R/up Lee Thomas/Mark Farrow)

Pavel ŠIRUČEK and Hana MATELOVÁ dominated at the Czech National Championships in Men’s and Women’s Singles held in Teplice last weekend. Both of them defended the last year’s crowns clinched in Prague.   Pavel ŠIRUČEK after semifinal’s victory over Tomáš KONEČNÝ faced the same opponent as last year. Lubomír JANČAŘÍK kept pace with his teammate from the national team but at decisive moments ŠIRUČEK was more fortunate and powerful. “In the finals only small details decided. However my adversary was in very good shape and he was a better player in certain stages. But he did not take advantage of the lead in the second game. I managed better the fifth set which was probably decisive ” described ŠIRUČEK the final duel.   Renáta ŠTRBÍKOVÁ and Hana MATELOVÁ met in the finals of women’s singles. The experienced ŠTRBÍKOVÁ played relaxed and at 2:2 she was in the lead 9:6. But in the end it worked out better for her opponent. “It was definitely the key moment of the final. I am very happy how I played both Sunday’s matches because I really wanted to win the third title in a row ” said Hana MATELOVÁ after the medal ceremony.   In Doubles’ finals favourites dominated– Hana MATELOVÁ and Kateřina TOMANOVSKÁ won the women’s competition Pavel ŠIRUČEK and Tomáš POLANSKÝ became winners of men’s competition when they defeated Tomáš TREGLER and Tomáš KONEČNÝ 3:0. In the mixed doubles new pair Martin KOBLÍŽEK and Renáta ŠTRBÍKOVÁ celebrated the victory over Patrik KLOS and Tamara TOMANOVÁ.

In Slovakia at the National Championships Barbora BALAZOVA defended her crown in Women’s Singles. In Men’s Singles Lubomir PISTEJ took the title from WANG Yang.     Women’s Singles   Barbora BALAZOVA 4/1(final) Tatiana KUKULKOVA Ema LABOSOVA Eva JURKOVA   Men’s Singles Lubomir PISTEJ 4/1(final) Peter SEREDA Samuel KALUZNY Samuel NOVOTA   Men’s Doubles Lubomir PISTEJ – Samuel KALUZNY (3/2 final) Jakub ZELINKA – Martin GUMAN Peter VALUCH and Brat SPANIK   Women’s Doubles Barbora BALAZOVA- Tatiana KUKULKOVA 3/0(final) Natalia GRIGELOVA – Nikoleta PUCHOVANOVA Ema LABOSOVA – Simona HORVATHOVA Dasa SINKAROVA – Eva JURKOVA   Mixed Doubles PISTEJ-KUKULKOVA (3/2 final) Jakub ZELINKA – Nikoleta PUCHOVANOVA Alexander VALUCH -HORVATHOVA Peter KONRAD -URIKOVA   U21 men Adam BRAT (final 3/0) Stefan PEKO Daniel ORAC Tibor SPANIK   U21 women Tatiana KUKUKLOVA (final 3/0) Ema LABOSOVA Monika MAROUSKOVA Nikoleta PUCHOVANOVA

The last day of Croatian Championship held at the Life Class Stories Sveti Martin organized by the Varaždin STK Starr concluded with very high quality final matches.   At the end in their singles competition Varaždin’s Petar PETEK and Andrej GAĆINA justified their domination. In addition PETEK defended last year’s double title she won with teammate from STK Varaždin Ivana MALOBABIĆ.   In the Men’s final Andrej GAČINA and Tomislav PUCAR went full distance and only after 3:3 in games and 10:10 in the seventh set GAĆINA managed to win.   In the women’s final Petar PETEK after a heavy semi-finals with JEGER was able to find enough strength to beat Andreu PAVLOVIĆ 4:2.   In the men doubles Croatia’s champions are Luka MARTINEK and Ban IVOR. The women’s doubles winners are Petra PETEK and Ivana MALOBABIĆ. In mixed pairs the champions are Ban IVOR and Andrea PAVLOVIĆ.   The organizational work was done by STK Starr and the congratulations for the organization came from all sides. Zlatko POSPIŠ the president of the HSTS praised the work of the club STK Starr and Ronaldo REĐEP:   “ Absolutely great. The players are satisfied and that is the most important thing. That’s why we decided to come here this year. This hotel and all of the conditions here in the St Martin’s Bay offer great conditions for sports in general. Everyone said they wanted to be here again and we respect the desire of players and coaches”added POSPIŠ.    

Margo DEGRAEF and Cedric NUYTINCK succeded in the Sporthal De Rode Loop. They cinched gold medals in Women’s and Men’s Singles Evnets at the Belgium National Championships.   Women Singles A Main Draw – Ranking Margo DEGRAEF (A4 – Dylan Berlaar) Lisa LUNG (A2 – Diest) Marie MAESEN (A12 – Diest) Jana BERNARD (A7 – Dinez)   Men Singles Main Draw – Ranking Cedric NUYTINCK (A1 – Merelbeke) Robin DEVOS (A3 – Sokah) Martin ALLEGRO (A4 – Hainaut) Florent LAMBIET (A2 – Liege)   Women Doubles A – Ranking Lisa LUNG / Marie MAESEN Diest Morgane GUIDON / Natacha KOSZULAP Vedrinamur / Namur Margo DEGRAEF / Eline LOYEN Dylan Berlaar / Hasselt Nathalie MARCHETTI / Cecile OZER Diest / Tiege   Men Doubles A – Ranking Florent LAMBIET / Martin ALLEGRO  Liege / Hainaut Robin DEVOS / Laurens DEVOS  Sokah Frederic SONNET / Francois GOBEAUX Vedrinamur Florian CNUDDE / Thibaut DARCIS Bbw / Vedrinamur   Mixed Doubles A – Ranking Adrien RASSENFOSSE / Jana BERNARD La Villette / Dinez Gaetan SWARTENBROUCKX / Natacha KOSZULAP Tiege / Namur Francois GOBEAUX / Cecile OZER Vedrinamur / Tiege Frederic SONNET / Morgane GUIDON Vedrinamur