The ITTF Board of Directors met  in Dusseldorf Germany for the first time since the ITTF Elections which was held on 31 May 2017. The Board of Directors is made up of continental representatives who are tasked to manage the ITTF together with the Executive Committee between the AGMs. The main decisions made and discussions had by the Board of Directors were:   The Future Events Working Group discussing the future of the World Championships and overall events structure presented their findings so far to the Board of Directors. The Working Group will continue at full speed to prepare some proposals for 2018 for the Board of Directors to decide.   The ITTF Ethics Commission was fully established and approved and the ITTF Code of Ethics will come into effect on 1 July 2017.   Future editions of the ITTF World Junior Championships were awarded: 2018 – Bendigo Australia 2019 – Nakorn Ratchasima Thailand after both countries put forward very impressive bids. The successful Bendigo bid was driven by ITTF-Oceania empowered by the new Strategic Investment agreement with the ITTF.   The next three editions of the ITTF World Cadet Challenge were allocated to: 2018 – Tottori Japan 2019 – Cetniewo Poland and 2020 – Bangkok Thailand.   Commenting on the first Board of Directors meeting after being elected the ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT stated: “After a hard-fought election campaign I was very happy to see the ITTF Board of Directors very united and motivated to work with me and the newly elected Executive Committee to achieve ITTF’s goals and drive the sport forward.”

BOLL Moves forward in full speed   In a fantastic match that kept the spectators in fully packed Messe Düsseldorf at the edge of their seats and most of the time at their feats Timo BOLL beat Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS to reach the quarterfinal of the Men’s Singles Event (11-5 7-11 13-15 9-11 6-11).   Marcos showed powerful game at the beginning but in the second game BOLL took the control. However the game was leveled but in the third game German completely imposed his rhythm.   “Timo showed very powerful game. He is playing World Championships in front of the home crowd and I think he should enjoy this special days ” said coach Jorg ROSSKOPF.   Fans enthusiastically cheered BOLL .   “I am happy because that but still I did not win anything. I am happy that I reached the final but I do not have a medal. It is long way to go ” said BOLL.   Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus lost against Korea’s LEE Sangsu (11-9 11-1 –3 11-9).   FAN Zhendong of China beat Filus RUWEN of Germany 2-4 (11-13 13-11 7-11 3-11 11-9 3-11). Despite the defeat Ruwen FILUS radiated in the mixed zone with the smile all over his face. “It was fun to play in front of the great crowd. I was overwhelmed and am proud to be among the top 16 players in the World.” Coach Jorg ROSSKOPF rose added: “The scenario of winning the opening game will be huge advantage. Unfortunately one or two balls RUWEN were not well placed. “   Tomokazu HARIMOTO of Japan beat Lubomir PISTEJ of Slovakia 4-1 (12-10 11-8 11-9 9-11 11-9)   “HARIMOTO is a very good player. Today I could not play my game. I didn’t show my best performance. In the first three games I had always a better start but then he caught my again and again. But I had perfect World Championships here in Düsseldorf. I won three good matches and it is the first time and I reached the round of the best 16. But now I have lost against the talent of the millennium ” said PISTEJ.   HARIMOTO said: “No I did not think I could be in the quarter-final of the World Championships. I do not think about the final or the title yet. I just look from game to game. Today I did not play so well I have to be better. So I was a bit excited in the fourth and fifth game just before my match balls. But I’m glad I did it well.”   In the semi final of the Men’s Doubles Event XU Xin and FAN Zhendong of China overcame Koki NIWA and Maharu YOSHIMURA of Japan in straight games (11-7 11-2 11-7 11-4). In the final they will meet Japan’s Masataka MORIZONO and Yuya OSHIMA. They overcame JEOUNG Youngsik and LEE Sangsu (11-3 6-11 11-8 8-11 11-3 11-6).    

LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships   Japan’s Maharu YOSHIMURA and Kasumi ISHIKAWA are the newly crowned Mixed Doubles champions. They clinched the title at the LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships in Dusseldorf after thrilling seven games duel against CHEN Chien-An and CHENG I-Ching (8-11 8-11 11-8 10-12 11-4 11-9 11-5).   Japan’s combination was down three games to one but they fought they way back. They showed mental strenght to overcame great gap.   “I think that happened because we lost in the past and we have practiced very hard to reach this goal now ” said Kasumi ISHIKAWA. “We’ve played together since we were very young. That’s why we understand each other. We are very good friends and we speak about personal things to each other. We encourage each other.   Maharu Yoshimura: “Kasumi encouraged me. She told me lets go let try this or that and let’s go for the gold.” Ishikawa answered on possibility of having mixed doubles at Tokyo 2020: “I’m very glad that mixed doubles was getting attention here and of course if there is mixed doubles at Tokyo 2020 then I will go for it.”   CHEN Chien-An said: “Our rhythm was very good at first but we were not able to keep up. It was mostly a failure in rhythm.”   It took 46 year for Germany to reach the medal rostrum in the Mixed Doubles Event at the World Championships after great success of Eberhard and Diane SCHOLER in 1971. Unfortunately after very good start of the semi final the pendulum swung and Japan’s combination of Maharu YOSHIMURA and Kasumi ISHIKAWA succeded (11-13 12-14 11-5 6-11 11-5 11-7 11-5).   “I’m not disappointed ” said Petrissa SOLJA immediately after the semi-finals. “I only can not forgive myself the fact that we have not seized the opportunity at 3:1 advantage. The German fans are always cheering and just love watching table tennis. And we also had China supporting us. The atmosphere here is great; I wanted to play in the final so much.”   Coach Jie SCHOPP explained what happened: ”FANG played a little under pressure and that is why SOLJA become nervous.”   In other semi final CHEN Chien-An and CHENG I-Ching overcame WONG Chun Ting and DOO Hoi Kem of Hong Kong (11-7 5-11 11-5 11-6 5-11 5-11 11-9).      

World Championships finalists in 1997 Vladimir SAMSONOV radiate at the LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships again. He reached the Round of 16 in big style by beating Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece in straight games (6-11 5-11 7-11 5-11).   “Even I am surprised by the result. I used to play good against the players with defensive style but it was in nineties. In recent past it is not the case any more especially against GIONIS. He beat me at the Olympic Qualifications in Sweden at the European Championships and in club competitions. I really have poor record against GIONIS in recent time. That is why I was very cautious. I played safe and I have to admit I took advantage of few lucky balls. Good thing is they came in the right moment ” laughed SAMSONOV.   It was all about control.   “He played very safe and he did not made any mistake. I was very tired. Yesterday I had a late and long match against WANG Yang. I was forced to play seven games against defense and it took all my power ” said GIONIS.   Surprisingly ZHANG Jike of China World’s no. four is out of the competition. He suffered by the hands of LEE Sangsu of Korea (9-11 6-11 13-11 6-11 10-12). LEE will meet SAMSONOV in the next round.   “We played twice against each other. I beat him recently in Qatar. For sure since he beat ZHANG he is in good shape. It is going to be hard match ” said SAMSONOV.   JEONG Sangeun needed six games to beat Stefan FEGERL (12-10 8-11 11-6 9-11 11-5 11-1) but two Europeans went through the agonizing seven games thriller. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was stretched to full distance against Hunor SZOCH of Romania (11-2 13-11 9-11 7-11 9-11 11-2 11-8).   “After second game I thought I am on the right track and I was heading to the straight games victory. However I become to much passive Hunor took his chance and put me in difficult position ” said OVTCHAROV.   SZOCH added:”I started bad but I took my chances after the second game. Unfortunately in the last two games OVTCHAROV’s service was at the highest level. He returned into the game completely.”   In next round OVTCHAROV will meet Japan’s Koki NIWA. Koki beat Jonathan GROTH of Denmark (11-8 11-9 6-11 7-11 8-11 1-11).   “Chances are 50-50 ” said OVTCHAROV.   Mattias KARLSSON of Sweden lost against WONG Chun Ting of Hong Kong 3-4 (12-10 11-9 5-11 8-11 7-11 14-12 3-11).   Another long distance match kept the spectators at the edge of their seats Marcos FREITAS beat Tristan FLORE (11-4 11-4 11-8 6-11 8-11 8-11 12-10).   “This is table tennis. FLORE knows me very well we played in the same team for nearly six years we know each other very well. I started very good from the beginning and especially returned his service good. FLORE didn´t have so many answers. Then I didn´t change anything and Tristan played better and better and I wasn´t really leading in the sets 4 to 6. I had always pressure and was a little bit fighting with myself. In the last game it was fifty-fifty I fought very good and survived.”   He will meet Timo Boll who overcame JANG Woojin (9-11 11-8 10-12 8-11 5-11).   “It is going to be a difficult game Boll is a top player we are both warm and playing good. I just hope to recover tonight. I have beaten him before several times. So I hope to fight for the victory tomorrow.”      

LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships   In the Round of 16 of The Women’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA suffered straight games defeat against Kasumi ISHIKAWA of Japan. No. 6 seed beat SAMARA seeded at the position no. 21 in straight games 6-11 7-11 7-11 8-11.   “First time I played against her in 2014 and beat her easily last time two years ago she beat me but not as easy as today. Her game improved so much ” said SAMARA.   Day earlier Elizabeta overcame no. 9. Seed Hitomi SATO.   “I was stretched to full distance last evening; played seven games against the player with the defensive style…I was so tired and my shoulder was killing me. Then I have to play first match in the morning today and I just could not have enough of sleep.”   This is SAMARA’S first big Championships since knee surgery.   “It is good that I am back. I am almost fully fit.”   Top seed DING Ning overcame Netherlands LI Jie (11-9 11-6 11-6 11-9). Despite the great challenge of having World’s no. one on the other side of the net LI also faced difficulties with the service.   “I am have the same service for ten years and it never was a problem. Here I was warned three times. At 8:6 in the fourth game I lost the point because of the service and it was 8:8 in next minute. I could win that game. I do not say I will beat her but things might finish differently. I was also under pressure not being able to play my usual game on service ” said LI.   Japan’s Mu HIRANO overcame Maria XIAO of Spain (11-4 11-1 11-4 11-3) Germany’s Kristin SILBEREISEN suffered by the hands of FENG Tianwei (11-8 5-11 7-11 11-9 7-11 9-11).   “In the fifth game at 2:2 I had 7:3 advantage and lost that game 7:11. That was the turning point. I could not recover after that ” said SILBEREISEN. Romania’s Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN lost against CHEN Meng of China (7-11 2-11 7-11 11-8 8-11).   Some history was made on table 1 when Miu HIRANO beat FENG Tianwei 4-1 to move into the semi final and guarantee a bronze medal. The last time Japan won a singles medal was back in 1969 when Toshiko KOWADA won gold in Munich Germany.   “I am so so happy to win. I did not know that it has been so long that Japan has won a medal I am a bit surprised. I am happy to have this record and that this will be in the history books. After my win I have more self confidence I don’t have any fear before a match. I always enter a match to win. I want to win the title here in Dusseldorf.”  

LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships   The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is pleased to announce strategic partnerships with Chinese news & social media giant Sina for the ITTF Chinese website (cn.ITTF.com) and social media promotion on Sina Weibo platform.   In partnership with Sina Sports as the “Official Media Partner of cn.ITTF.com” ITTF will be strengthening its efforts in the promotion of table tennis in China through shared resources with Sina Sports.   Sam LI Head of Content Acquisition and Strategic Partnership for Sina Sports stated: “As the leading sports digital media platform in China we are excited to partner with ITTF to provide comprehensive content such as in-depth interviews and behind-the-scene content for our fans.  In the last two years we have entered into strategic partnerships with more than thirty leagues and federations to allow fans to more easily access their favorite sports as well as explore new sports being introduced to China.”   The ITTF also came to terms with Sina’s Weibo Sports Division in the promotion of the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships on Sina Weibo as the “2017 World Championships Official Chinese Social Media Partner”.   Through the collaboration ITTF and Weibo Sports aims to bring the fans closer to the World Championships and their favorite stars featuring instant result updates exclusive photo and behind-the-scene content.   “Sina Weibo is happy to come on board with the ITTF as the Official Chinese Social Media Partner for the 2017 World Championships. With 145 million daily active users and 340 million active users a month Sina Weibo has replaced Twitter as the largest independent social media company with the most active fans in the world ” said Sina Weibo Senior Director of Operations ZHANG Zhe.   “Through this partnership Sina Weibo will work hand in hand with the ITTF to showcase the 2017 World Championships to the fans through different angles providing behind-the-scenes player interviews and other exclusive content.”   ITTF Head of Communications Matt POUND added “After the Rio 2016 Olympic Games the popularity of Chinese table tennis stars such as ZHANG Jike MA Long DING Ning and LIU Shiwen has skyrocketed and table tennis is getting more and more attention amongst Chinese fans. Sina being one of the biggest news and social media platforms in China has also been actively following and reporting on table tennis and our events. We believe our partnerships for both our Chinese website and on Weibo will be extremely useful in pushing more content and reaching out to the vast number of Chinese fans and promoting table tennis in China.”   Follow the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships on the home of table tennis in China on cn.ITTF.com!

LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships   At the LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships in Dusseldorf hosts secured first medal. In the sport’s heart of Germany Petrissa SOLJA and FANG Bo of China reached the semi final of the Mixed Doubles Event.   In the quarterfinal pairing seeded at the position no. seven prevailed against no. three seeds Mattias KARLSSON and Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden 4:1.   “I am so excited because I won my first medal at the World Championships. Now when we reached this far I think we can win gold ” said Petrissa SOLJA.   In opening game they led 10:6 but adversaries leveled the score.   “I asked myself why is so hard to win that one point ” admitted SOLJA.   They will meet Maharu YOSHIMURA and Kasumi ISHIKAWA in the semis. Japan’s pairings beat LEE Sangsu and YANG Haeun of Korea 4:1. CHEN Chien-An and CHENG I-Ching of Taipei overcame Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES and Galia DVORAK 4:0 whilst WONG Chun Ting and DOO Hoi Kem of Hong Kong beat Kenta TAZOE and Miyu MAEDA of Japan.

LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships   Marcos FREITAS of Portugal easily prevailed against Iran’s Nima ALAMIAN in the Second Round of the Men’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR 2017 World Championships. He recorded straight games win. In opening round he needed one game more to overcame Greek’s Konstantinos PAPAGEORGIU.   “I feel really good here. I am confident in my game. Against Nima however I was cautious. I have never played against him before. I saw that he improved at the rankings and I decided to play safe and not to risk too much. I was focused forced Nima into mistakes ” explained FREITAS.   Timo BOLL was cautious before the duel against Juakub DYJAS of Poland but today it looked like it was only one player in the arena; he dominated in straight games victory.   “I know I told it might be hard match but Jakub was not on his best level here. He had few defeats on the past and it affected his confidence. I remember last time at the World Championships it was 4:2 but I could easily lost that match. Here it was different ” said BOLL.   Tamas LAKATOS of Hungary prevailed against Bastian STEGER of Germany 4-2. “His backend is very dangerous and especially today when I attacked him. I had also problem with his block and spin ” explained LAKATOS who produced few very good points with his backend.” I have very good draw. I could not expect anything better than this. It will not be easy but I have a chance. At least I avoid Asian players in the opening rounds.”