The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has announced the nominees for the 2016 Male and Female Para Table Tennis Stars for the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF Star Awards that will be held on 8 December 2016 in Doha Qatar. The 2016 ITTF Star Awards will be the fourth edition of the ITTF’s year-ending extravaganza to honor the achievements of athletes and coaches in 2016 this time in Doha Qatar’s famous Sheraton Hotel. Nominees in the running to be crowned the 2016 Male and Female Para Table Tennis Stars are: Male Para Table Tennis Star presented by Tinsue: Laurens DEVOS (BEL): Rio 2016 Paralympic Games class 9 singles champion at just 16 years of age making him the youngest ever male table tennis Paralympic champion. FENG Panfeng (CHN): Rio 2016 Paralympic Games class 3 singles and team gold medalist Feng claimed his third consecutive singles Paralympic gold medal in Rio. Peter ROSENMEIER (DEN): Rio 2016 Paralympic Games class 6 singles champion to now have 2 gold and 2 bronze medals in 4 Paralympic Games. Nomination Video: https://youtu.be/P1Vx2tju-IE Female Para Table Tennis Star presented by Stag International: LIU Jing (CHN): Rio 2016 Paralympic Games class 2 singles and team gold medalist Liu won her third consecutive singles Paralympic gold medal in Rio. Sandra PAOVIC (CRO): Beijing 2008 Olympian and the Rio 2016 class 6 singles gold medalist on her debut in the Paralympic Games. XUE Juan (CHN): Rio 2016 Paralympic Games class 3 singles and team gold medalist China Para Open class 3 champion. Nomination Video: https://youtu.be/BF5XesC_RiU These players were nominated by the ITTF Para Division and the winners will be determined by the ITTF Para Athletes’ Commission. More details about the other award nominees here: Male & Female Table Tennis Stars – http://www.ittf.com/press_releases/PR/PR1.asp?id=324 Star Coach & Breakthrough Star – http://www.ittf.com/press_releases/PR/PR1.asp?id=323 For more information on the ITTF Star Awards or to organize press accreditation please go to ITTFStarAwards.com or contact Matt Pound at mpound@ittfmail.com.
BOSI GONDERINGER and KAHN appointed Honorary Members of ETTU.
During ETTU’s Ordinary Congress on Wednesday 19th October in Budapest Stefano BOSI (ITA) Camille GONDERINGER (LUX) and Jean-François KAHN (FRA) were appointed Honorary Members of ETTU. President Ronald KRAMER said: “Everyone is aware of the troublesome situation in 2013. However the Congress accepted the proposal of the Executive Board because the three laureates have contributed to and worked hard for the development of our Union and our sport for many years.” The awarding ceremonies will take place at the ETTU Ordinary Congress next year in Luxembourg.
Seamaster joins forces with Qatar to title sponsor end of year ITTF events.
Chinese shipping company Seamaster have secured a naming sponsor deal together with Qatar for the 2016 ITTF Star Awards & 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals to be held in Doha Qatar. The premier year-ending events will now be called the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF Star Awards which will be held on 8 December and Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals which will take place from 8-11 December. Commenting on the deal ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT stated: “The ITTF is very happy that Seamaster has come on board for our two prestigious end-of-year events. Seamaster is becoming a very valuable partner for the ITTF after also sponsoring the successful Women’s World Cup earlier this year in USA.” In addition to being the title sponsor at the 2016 ITTF Star Awards Seamaster is also sponsoring the ITTF Star Point award and Breakthrough Star at the table tennis’ night of nights which celebrates the world’s best table tennis players for their achievements in 2016. Seamaster Chairman Frank JI stated: “Being the title sponsor of these massive events is a fantastic opportunity for not only Seamaster to promote its brand internally but also my other investments the T2 Asia-Pacific Table Tennis League Table Tennis X (TTX) and the Monday Club. I look forward to working with the ITTF to build further opportunities for table tennis business in the future.” Qatar Table Tennis Association President & ITTF Deputy President Khalil AL MOHANNADI added: “We are thrilled to have such a big company like Seamaster to be involved with our two events in Doha. It’s with great pleasure that for Qatar we are able to secure some support and also to secure such high level events with the long term and massive support of our Olympic Committee and government.” The Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals is the season ending finale of the 2016 ITTF World Tour which had 20 stops in 2016. Only the top 16 men and women with the most points from the 20 World Tour events qualify for the $500 000 event ensuring only the best table tennis players will be making the trip to Qatar. To apply for media accreditation to the Seamaster Qatar 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals click here:http://bit.ly/2fq8a46.
2016 ITTF World Tour Hybiome Austrian Open
2016 ITTF World Tour Hybiome Austrian Open Denmark’s Jonathan GROTH and Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA have been awarded the Men’s Doubles title at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Hybiome Austrian Open in Linz following their 3-0 victory (11-4 11-6 11-7) over the Chinese duo of FANG Yinchi and ZHU Cheng in the final. Recently crowned European Champions in Budapest and champions from the 2016 Zagreb Open has impressive row. “Just 3 weeks after we won Europeans Championship we secured our second World Tour title! We have now won 3 out of 4 tournaments we have played together! Thanks to Linus MERNSTEN Jörg ROSSKOPF and Kamal ACHANTA for coaching ” said GROTH. The partnership of FANG Yinchi and ZHU Cheng went into the final with a surprise win against Korea Republic’s KIM Minhyeok and PARK Ganghyeon in the quarter-finals before picking up a semi-finals victory over Austria’s CHEN Weixing and Germany’s Ruwen FILUS. But FANG and ZHU would face a difficult challenge ahead with the prospect of facing the current European champions up next for them in the final. One of the standout aspects of the final was the difference in the level of control with GROTH and FRANZISKA playing the steadier table tennis of the two pairs which reflected in the end score; GROTH and FRANZISKA never looked like ending up on the wrong side of the result and when the combination registered two more ends to their names the straight games triumph was achieved (11-4 11-6 11-7).
Portuguese Federation ELECTIONS: Pedro Moura re-elected President
Pedro Miguel MOURA is reelected President of the Portuguese Table Tennis Federation. The elections were held today in the headquarters of the FPTT in Lisbon. All the delegates attended the Assembly and voted. The majority gave their trust to Pedro MOURA who received 29 votes while the B List led by Sergio Dinis Bastos Cupertino de MIRANDA had 16 votes. “Today I was re-elected to my second term as president of the FPTM in what is one of the most striking and meaningful victories of my life linked to table tennis. I accept the responsibility given to me by delegates full of courage and willingness to continue to work for table tennis of Portugal “ stated new-old President.
Benedikt DUDA in semi final in Linz
2016 ITTF World Tour Hybiome Austrian Open Seeded only at the position no. 32 at the beginning of the 2016 ITTF World Tour Hybiome Austrian Open in Linz Benedikt DUDA of Germany beat the odds and reached the penultimate stage of the Men’s Singles Event. In the quarterfinal he beat Sharath Kamal ACHANTA of India in five games (9-11 9-11 11-6 7-11 4-11). DUDА was the only player representing Europe to survive quarterfinal stage. His compatriot Ricardo WALTHER suffered by the hands of Kenta MATSUDAIRA of Japan after seven games thriller (11-6 11-5 9-11 7-11 6-11 11-2 11-6). Hugo CALDERANO of Brazil beat Ruwen FILUS of Germany (5-11 11-9 9-11 11-13 8-11) whilst Yuto MURAMATSU of Japan overcame KOU Lei of Ukraine (7-11 8-11 7-11 11-9 4-11). Both European representatives in the semifinal of the Women’s’ Singles Event concluded the tournament today. Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania suffered by the hands of Honoka HASHIMOTO of Japan 2:4 (11-9 11-6 6-11 4-11 5-11 7-11) whilst Ito MIMA of Japan halted fantastic progress of Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria 1:4 (8-11 11-7 4-11 5-11 8-11). Yui HAMAMOTO of Japan who beat top seeded CHENG I-Ching of Taipei in the previous round progressed further to the semis. She accounted for SUH Hyowon of Korea 4:2 (12-10 11-7 8-11 6-11 13-11 13-11). In penultimate stage she will meet CHOI Hyojoo of Korea. CHOI beat Suthasini SAWETTABUT of Thailand in straight games (11-8 12-10 11-6 14-12).
KUTERGINA: VLASOV was brilliant while MOREGARDH is a talented guy
Post-match comments after TTCLM Round 3 TTSC UMMC coach Tatiana KUTERGINA After the TTCLM Round 3 coach of TTSC UMMC Tatiana KUTERGINA stressed that game against ESLOVS Al BORDTENNIS “went as planned” as her side beat actual TTCLM runner-up 3:2. She praised UMMC player Grigory VLASOV who beat Daniel KOSIBA in straight games of the third encounter but also emphasized that the 14-year-old Eslov`s prodigy Truls MOREGARDH has a bright future. “The game was tense but it couldn’t be other way as the rival is the last season’s Champions League finalist a very good team. But there are no weak teams in our group that is why every match is difficult. I liked Truls MOREGARDH I had not seen him play before. Talented guy but he is not ready yet to beat GACINA and SHIBAEV. The game went as planned no surprises. I want to say special words about the VLASOV’s game: it was brilliant. The entire game was flawless. He played smoothly and powerfully. Perhaps he was the best player in our team this time.” Grigory VLASOV also was delighted by the play of MOREGARDH who lost both his games against Andrej GACINA and Alexander SHIBAEV but showed how big talent he posses. Russian player stated: “Well it worked out and we won special thanks to the audience for their support! This is our sports life – everyone should go out to table and try his best to win. Fortunately I won the personal match and turned the score 2:1 for UMMC. Swedish team has a new star Truls MOREGARDH who is very promising. He is already being drafted to the national team and he fights for the first places among juniors. Therefore he was included in the team for the Champions League he is a serious rival a very talented guy.”
BENTSEN: Orenburg does its job!
Post-match comments after TTCLM Round 3 ROSKILDE BORDTENNIS BTK61 Danish club ROSKILDE BORDTENNIS BTK61 lost its third game in a row playing TTCLM Round 3 match against top seeded TTC FAKEL GAZPROM ORENBURG. Russian side three times TTCLM champion won in straight sets. Roskilde`s player-manager Allan BENTSEN believes that 3:0 defeat in Russia can provide some good things to young trio: Ewardus OOSTWOUDER (23-year-old) ZHAI Yuija (20-year-old) and Claus NIELSEN (20-year-old). “We had a long trip to top seeded Orenburg and there was no surprises they did their job and won 3:0. We played against a very professional team no fun. We try to take some of all these things with us home and use them for our young players”. Roskilde will host TTF LIEBHERR Ochsenhausen in the Round 4 of Group A on November 25th. Two more matches will be held on December 2nd (in Angers) and December 16th (against Orebburg at home). In this group Russian side holds the top with 3-0 score followed by Ochsenhausen (2-1) Angers (1-2) and Roskilde (0-3).
TT SAINT-QUENTIN moves closer to ECLW quarter-finals
Manager of French club Jean-Louis POLARD believes that his side has an open way to the next stage after 3:0 away win against Postas Sport Egyesulet Everybody in the French club TT Saint Quentin is aware how important is the 3:0 away victory against Postas Sport Egyesulet achieved last weekend in Hungary. This score could be crucial for their goal to reach the quarter-finals of the 2016/17 European Champions League Women as manager Jean-Louis POLARD emphasized: “Victory against Postas Sport Egyesület in Hungary was vital to get a chance to reach the quarter-finals next January. Behind Berlin Eastside No. 1 in Europe the second spot of Group A was open to the Hungarian team or the French one”. French team won in straight games in spite of having some problems in the line-up. POLARD explains: “Before the beginning of our first away match Audrey ZARIF suffered from her back and Aurore DESSAINT was asked to play as No. 3 for Saint-Quentin along with ZENG Jian and Daniela MONTEIRO-DODEAN. The Romanian player had a very tough game against LI Jiao No. 37 being twice behind at 3:7 in the first two sets… that she managed to grab at the very end. Daniela’s victory in four sets was a good incentive for her two colleagues and both of them won in three sets. Coach Franck DELCAMBRE was pleased with the final result 3:0 (9:1) and will be more relaxed for the last two matches in December in Berlin (1st) and at home (16th).”
Stefan FEGERL seeded third in Linz
2016 ITTF World Tour The penultimate World Tour tournament of 2016 ITTF World Tour Hybiome Austrian Open started today.Top seeds in Men’s Singles Event are Koki NIWA of Japan and Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal. In Women’s Singles Event CHENG I-Ching of Taipei Mima ITO of Japan and JEON Jihee of Korea leds the elite. Hosts will be hoping to see their representatives go all the way to glory in Linz and for two of the country’s players there will be no qualification round required to make an appearance in the main draw. Stefan FEGERL is the third seed in Linz. The other seeded Austrian to compete at the 2016 Open is CHEN Weixing (20th) who will join FEGERL in the main event. Alongside them there are 12 of the host nation’s players who will compete in the Men’s Singles qualification group stage: David SERDAROGLU Daniel HABESOHN Alexander CHEN Simon PFEFFER David VORCNIK Thomas GRININGER Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK Christian FRIEDRICH Michael TRINK Christian LUGINGER Krisztian GARDOS and Narayan KAPOLNEK. Beside the competition for the medals in Linz the run for the place in the 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals also will be in focus. Only two more ITTF World Tour tournaments remain in 2016; after Linz the caravan will move to Stockholm for the 2016 Swedish Open. Some of the world’s biggest names have already ensured their invitations to the World Tour Grand Finals but there are still a few places up for grabs in the Men’s and Women’s Singles categories. Andrej GACINA (CRO) and Tomas KONECNY (CZE) will move into the final two World Tour competitions knowing that if they outperform Japan’s Koki NIWA in the Men’s Singles events in Linz and Stockholm then an invitation to Doha could potentially be heading in their direction. There are still opportunities for Tiago APOLONIA (POR) HO Kwan Kit (HKG) and Simon GAUZY (FRA) to make an appearance at the Grand Finals. If one of the above players reaches the Men’s Singles final of the Austrian Open then a spot at next month’s showdown could move into sight; however if their progress in Linz is halted at the semi-finals stage then the hopes of the three competitors could hinge on their results at the Swedish Open. The Women’s Singles category for the World Tour Grand Finals has already seen the likes of DING Ning (CHN) Kasumi ISHIKAWA (JPN) and FENG Tianwei (SIN) meet the qualification criteria for Doha 2016. The battle for tournament spaces has yet to conclude though with one interesting scenario in particular gaining the attention ahead of the Austrian and Swedish Opens:
