The ITTF World Tour will receive a facelift in 2017. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is excited to announce the 12 cities that will host the new and improved 2017 ITTF World Tour events. The revamped ITTF World Tour will have a new logo new branding and a new structure to better promote table tennis globally. On the announcement ITTF Marketing Director Steve DAINTON stated: “In 2016 we have worked hard to look at ways to push the World Tour product forward with new partners and new conditions the desire to host events has dramatically increased and we are so pleased to see conditions such as prize money increasing as well. We will now push forward to ensure events can grow both in terms of popularity and commercially so that over time we can showcase international table tennis more regularly throughout the year.” The 2017 World Tour will be split into two tiers six ITTF World Tour Platinum events which is the new top tier of the World Tour and six regular ITTF World Tour events. There was an unprecedented amount of bids to be a part of the new ITTF World Tour with the result being a higher prize money pool for all players. The six ITTF World Tour Platinum events will have higher prize money and be of a higher level organisation which will ensure the attendance of the world’s best players resulting in more international exposure for the hosts. The six cities that have won the right to host a 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum event are: Doha Qatar: 23-26 February 2017 Tokyo Japan: 16-18 June 2017 Chengdu China: 22-25 June 2017 Gold Coast Australia: 29 June – 2 July 2017 Linz Austria: 1- 3 September 2017 Magdeburg Germany 10-12 November 2017 The regular ITTF World Tour events are: Budapest Hungary: 19-22 January 2017 New Delhi India: 16-19 February 2017 Incheon Korea: 20-23 April 2017 Olomouc Czech Republic: 24-27 August 2017 Panagyurishte Bulgaria: 7-10 September 2017 Stockholm Sweden: 16-19 November 2017 Australia & Austria move up to the top World Tour tier for the first time after successfully hosting regular lower-tiered World Tour events. India joins the ITTF World Tour for the first time with New Delhi hosting the breakthrough event in February next year. The 12 events all offer World Tour Standings points which will be used to determine the top 16 players that qualify for the World Tour Grand Finals to be held from 14-17 December 2017 in a location to be determined. Bidding for the 2018 ITTF World Tour will open in November so stay tuned for more information.
ETTU 2016 Coaching Conference in Prague
ETTU / ITTF –Europe Development Program he European Table Tennis Union annual Coaching Conference will be held in Prague (CZE) from Sunday 9th to Tuesday 11th October 2016. On Monday Dr. Med. Danijel BORKOVIC (SLO) will open the Conference with the lecture “Nutrition in Table Tennis”. He will talk about the basic anatomy and physiology of digestive system basis of healthy nutrition and food supplements. In the evening session Ph.D. Makis CHAMALIDIS (FRA) will have the lecture named “Coaching is a Mental Game”. Among various subjects Consultant for the French Tennis Federation since 1997 will explain why Coaches should be much more of a Mental Coach. On Tuesday Anders JOHANSSON (SWE) will highligt the problem that changes might bring. The Welness Hotel Step Prague is the venue of the Coaching Conference. The related documents you can see here
Petrissa SOLJA: The best momnet was when we beat Japan
Rio 2016 The Olympic Games are behind us but phenomenal success of the German team still echoes. One of the creators of the story of success was Petrissa SOLJA the member of the silver medal team in the Women’s Event. You went to Rio with the great ambitions but was it a goal to reach the medal from the very beginning? “It was the dream for me to win the medal and I wished it will be in Team Event. We all knew that our chances lay in Team Event because we were seeded at the position no. three. The expectations were high. The great obstacle was the fact that for all three of us it was the first time that we played at the Olympic Games” explained SOLJA. “Already when we saw the draw we realized we have a great chance to get this medal but we had to play our best.” What is the strongest memory from the tournament? “When we won against Japan. It was the best moment for me. After YIN finished the last ball it was the moment of great relief. We needed full four hours to conclude that match. We were under enormous of pressure and the level of stress was very high. I think I never was that happy like when we beat Japan.” It came as a consolation for the result in Singles Event. “For me the hardest moment was when I lost my first match in singles against the player from North Korea. When I saw the draw I knew it will be very hard. Event to get to the second round seamed as a mission impossible. . I was aware I had to play over the 100 percent to beat her but I could not play like that in first match. I lost against her in two previous occasions. She was too strong for me.” SOLJA mentioned great fans in Rio. “I was supported by the fans.They cheered all of us not only players from Brazil. They were very kind and showed respect for the good game” said SOLJA” The most powerful impression was opening ceremony. It was great everything was fine. I had the chance to see lot of top athletes and it was very interesting for me. Olympics are great experience.” Did you have a chance to see something else beside venues and Village? “I did not have time to go out. I just went to the German house finally to have tasty meal. I was afraid to go sightseeing for security reasons. We were warned it was dangerous.” What you will do now? “For next two weeks I am on holiday. I am at Cyprus and after the break we will start the preparation for European championships and Champions league. I will go to the training army camp for eight weeks until December. I also hope I will receive the wild card for the World Cup. I was not playing at the ITTF Europe Cup because I was injured.” —
Serbia clinched all medals in Singles Events
Balkan U21 Championships Serbia won the “Yoto DRIANOVSKI” Trophy as a best team in overall standings at the Balkan Championships U21 in Niksic Montenegro. In Men’s Singles Event Nikola MARINKOVIC of Serbia beat his compatriot Aleksa GACEV . Bronye also went to Serbia with Nikola STRUGAREVIC and Ivor KATIC. Serbia also booksed all three positioons in Women’s Singles Event. Iyabela LUPULESKU Aneta MAKSUTI CLINCHED GOLD AND SILVER AND Dragana VIGNJEVIC and Tijana JOKIC won gold. In the Men’s Doubles Event Ivor KATIC and Nikola STRUGAREVIC of Serbia clinched the title. In the final they overcame compatriots Aleksa GACEV and Nikola MARINKOVIC. The combination of players coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina Sinisa MARCETIC and Hristijan JOVANOVSKI of FYR Macedonia split the bronze with players from FYR Macedonia Hristijan JOVANOV and Filip KOSTADINOVSKI. Emina HADZIAHMETOVIC of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Izabela LUPULESKU of Serbia beat Serbians pairings Aneta MAKSUTI and Viktoria TRUZINSKI. Bronze went to Serbia and Albania. Tijana JOKIC and Dragana VIGNJEVIC finished third as well as Liridona REXHAJ and Alba XHUPI. In Mixed doubles event Ivor KATIC and Aneta MAKSUTI are new Balkan champions Silver medalists are Nikola MARINKOVIC and Izabela LUPULESKU. Bronze medalists are Aleksa GACEV and Tijana JOKIC of Serbia and Filip RADOVIC of Montenegro and Dragana VIGNJEVIC of Serbia.
OVTCHAROV leads European challenge
Invitation List Released for LIEBHERR 2016 Men’s World Cup With Rio 2016 now just a nice memory the table tennis world looks forward to the Liebherr 2016 ITTF Men’s World Cup to be held in Saarbrucken Germany on 1-3 October 2016. All 20 players invited to the prestigious event in Germany competed at Rio 2016 and have earned their place at the show piece event through Continental Cup qualification events throughout 2016 plus the current World Champion & a wildcard. China’s newly crowned Olympic Champion and Men’s World Cup defending Champion MA Long heads the invitation list as the reigning World Champion together with 2013 Champion XU Xin (CHN) and three time champion 40-year-old Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR). World number five Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) will lead the local German contingent in Saarbrucken alongside Bastin STEGER (GER) the man he won the Rio 2016 team bronze with. Jun MIZUTANI (JPN) who played the tournament of his life to win singles bronze and team silver at Rio 2016 will also be making the trip to Germany. MIZUTANI will be hoping to repeat his victory over XU Xin at Rio 2016 to bring home another medal to Japan. Based on his brilliant performance at Rio 2016 where he became extremely close to beating both Grand Slam Champions MA Long and ZHANG Jike (CHN) JEONG Youngsik (KOR) takes the wildcard place. The full list of invited players for the Liebherr 2016 Men’s World Cup: MA Long (CHN) – World Champion ARUNA Quadri (NGR) – African Cup Winner XU Xin (CHN) – Asian Cup Winner CALDERANO Hugo (BRA) – Latin American Cup Winner FENG Yijun (USA) – North American Cup Winner POWELL David (AUS) – Oceania Cup Winner OVTCHAROV Dimitrij (GER) – European Cup Winner WONG Chun Ting (HKG) – Asian Cup 3rd place (2nd Qualifier) GAO Ning (SIN) – Asian Cup 4th place (3rd Qualifier) MONTEIRO Joao (POR) – European Cup 2nd place (2nd Qualifier) SHIBAEV Alexander (RUS) – European Cup 3rd place (3rd Qualifier) MIZUTANI Jun (JPN) – Asian Cup 5th place LEE Sangsu (KOR) – Asian Cup 6th place KARLSSON Kristian (SWE) – European Cup 4th place SAMSONOV Vladimir (BLR) – European Cup 5th place FEGERL Stefan (AUT) – European Cup 6th place APOLONIA Tiago (POR) – European Cup 7th place STEGER Bastian (GER) – European Cup 8th place GAUZY Simon (FRA) – European Cup 9th place JEOUNG Youngsik (KOR) – Wildcard
Bojan TOKIC clinched gold at the Flanders Masters
At the 18th Flanders ITT Ostend Masters Bojan TOKIC of Slovenia clinched the title. In the final he beat Cedric NUYTINCK of Belgium (9 -12 1 4 6). In the semi final TOKIC prevaild against another Belgium’s player Yannick VOSTES (8933) whilst NUYTINCK beat KOU Lei of Ukraine (68-4-88712). Top seededAndreaj GACINA of Croatia Robin DEVOS of Belgium Jonathan GROTH of Denmark and Hunar SZOCS of Romania suffered defeats in the opening round.
Ryu Seungmin elected to IOC Athletes Commission
Rio 2016 Olympic Games Gold medallist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Korea’s Ryu Seungmin has been elected as a member of the IOC Athletes Commission. The election will be ratified at the 129th session of the International Olympic Committee on Sunday 21st August. Germany’s Britta Heidemann from Fencing gained election as did Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta from swimming in addition to Yelena Isinbayeva from the world of athletics. “A former Olympic Champion and player who has visited all parts of the world he is an expert in table tennis; for our sport it is always important to be active in the highest body the International Olympi Committee to raise our specific questions in order to develop table tennis furthermore” Thomas WEIKERT ITTF President Britta HEIDEMANN won Épée gold in 2008 in Beijing Daniel GYURTA set a new World record and clinched gold in the 200 metres breastroke at the London 2012 Olympic Games whilst Yelena Isinbayeva was Pole Vault gold medallist in both Athens and Beijing. RYU Seungmin adopting the traditional pen-hold grip style of player in true traditional Korean style will always be regarded for the exciting and athletic manner in which he extolled his skills. “To be elected to the Athletes comission of the International Table Tennis Federation is a great accomplishment for any athlete. I am really happy for RYU Seungmin who has always been an excellent sportsmen and good friend. He will definitely do a great job. It is fantastic news for our sport.” Vladimir SAMSONOV Chair ITTF Athletes Commission In 2008 Sichuan an area of China in which RYU Seungmin had represented in the country’s Super League was hit by an earthquake; generously Ryu Seungmin donated US$10000 to the devastation fund. RYU Seungmin represents the best ideals of sport always he gave 100 per cent effort a man of high integrity and sincerity but it is not necessarily the extensive knowledge gained by ccompeting in the arenas of the world that makes him a most worthy member of any major organisation. It is also his caring attitude and thought for fellow man.
Serbia clinched gold medals in both U21 events
Balkan Championships Serbia clinched both gold medals at the men’s and Women’s Team Events at the Balkan U21 Championships in Niksic. In men’s teams event Montenegro won silves and Bosnia and Herzegovima is third. In Women’s Event Bosnia and Herzegovina is second and Albania is third. The competition is weakened by the absence of the national teams of Romania and Bulgaria. In the final of the Men’s Team Event Nikola STRUGAREVIC Nikola MARINKOVIC Ivor Katic beat the team of Montenegro composed of Filip RADOVIC Filip RADULOVIC and Viktor ROGIC. In Women’s Team Event only five teams were in game so knock out stage was not required. Izabela LUPULESKU Tijana JOKIC Dragan VIGNJEVIC Viktoria TRUZINSKI and Aneta MAKSUTI concluded the group stage at the top above the team of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Emina HADZIAHMETOVIC Elda SEHIC and Snezana MARKOVIC.
The 42nd Balkan Senior Table Tennis Championships
The 42nd Balkan Senior (14th U21) Table Tennis Championships starts on August 18th in Niksic Montenegro City Sport Hall. At the Championships will play the representatives of Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina FYRO Macedonia Kosovo Montenegro and Serbia. Balkan Table Tennis Championships is open to all players born on or after 1st January 1995. SCHEDULE 18th and 19th August – team events 20th August (morning session) – singles preliminary groups 20th August (afternoon session) – doubles events 21st August – Main and Consolation Draw for single events doubles events (possible finals for mixed doubles) 22 nd August – semi-finals and final for singles and doubles events
China win the Men’s Team title at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
China faced severe challenge in the final but survived to win the Men’s Team title at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. MA Long XU Xin and ZHANG Jike recorded a three matches to one success in opposition to the brave fourth seeded Japanese outfit comprising Jun MIZUTANI Koi NIWA and Maharu YOSHIMURA. In the opening match Koki NIWA faced MA Long. At the 2012 Asian Olympic Games Qualification Tournament staged in Hong Kong Koki NIWA had sensationally beaten Ma Long but he could not repeat that success. MA Long prevailed in straight games (11-6 11-9 11-6) Jun MIZUTANI’s outstanding performance against XU Xin brought back the hope for Japan. He won the first two games lost the next two and trailed 7-10 in the decider before he won the next five points(12-10 11-9 3-11 7-11 12-10). The reigning World champions XU Xin and ZHANG Jike faced the challenge from Koki NIWA and Maharu YOSHIMURA. Koki Niwa and Maharu Yoshimura captured the opening game. However the next three games went to Xu Xin and Zhang Jike (4-11 11-6 11-9 11-5).MA Long sealed the match with the victory over Maharu YOSHIMURA in three straight games (11-1. 11-4 11-4). The win meant that in Men’s Table Tennis events at an Olympic Games Xu Xin became the 14th Chinese player to win gold. Overall in male competitions China has now won a total of 13 titles with 24 gold medals being presented. They have won the Men’s Singles title on four occasions. Also they won the Men’s Doubles title on all five occasions the event was staged. Now they have won the Men’s Team gold medal on all three occasions the event has been held. In 2008 when the competition was first staged it was Ma Lin Wang Hao and Wang Liqin; now in 2016 it is Ma Long Xu Xin and Zhang Jike.
