National Championships of England Tin-Tin HO the 17 year-old rising star emerged as a hero of the National Championships of England held in Hatfield. She won all three possible titles but the most prestigious one was in the Women Singles Event in which she beat five times gold medalist Kelly SIBLEY in the final. OH won in six games making decisive 6-0 run in the late second set (5:9 11:9) to prevent her opponent to lead 2:0. Paul DRINKHAL took his fifth gold at the PG Mutual National Championships after 4:2 win against Sam WALKER who upset triple individual champion in a row Liam PITCHFORD. It was DRINKHAL`s first title since 2012. Men’s Singles Semi-finals: Paul DRINKHALL – Tom JARVIS 4:1 (11:8 11:4 6:11 11:6 11:5) Sam WALKER – Liam PITCHFORD 4:3 (11:8 6:11 11:8 9:11 8:11 11:6 11:5). Final: Paul DRINKHALL – Sam WALKER 4:2 (9:11 11:4 11:7 3:11 11:5 11:8) Women’s Singles Semi-finals: Kelly SIBLEY – Hannah HICKS 4:0 (11:3 11:2 11:7 11:6) Tin-Tin HO – Maria TSAPTSINOS 4:1 (7:11 11:6 11:6 11:9 11:4). Final: Tin-Tin HO – Kelly SIBLEY 4:2 (5:11 11:9 3:11 11:9 11:9 11:6). Men’s Doubles Final Paul DRINKHALL/Liam Pitchford – Chris DORAN/Mike O’DRISCOLL 3:0 (11:4 11:4 11:7) Women’s Doubles Final Tin-Tin HO/Maria TSAPTSINOS – Karina LE FEVRE/Emma VICKERS 3:1 (11:2 16:14 8:11 11:7) Mixed Doubles Final: WALKER/HO – MCBEATH/VICKERS 3:0 (11:8 11:6 11:8)
BAUM`s very first title in Germany SILBEREISEN wins second time
German National Championships At the 84th edition of the German National Championships a man became singles champion of whom it is hard to believe that this was his very first big singles title in his career. Patrick BAUM twice European Championships finalist and quarter finalist at the World Championships in 2013 grabbed the title in the city of Bielefeld beating Steffen MENGEL in the final by 4-2. “I’m so glad. I’ve never won a singles title before and to be honest after all those years I didn’t really believe I would”. He started believing in his chance at the very end of the match he explained. “When I was 7-5 8-5 up in the 6th game then I starting to think I could do it”. It was even the first national final he was in. Before the 28-year-old leftie had won bronze for four times. Kristin SILBEREISEN won the singles title for the 2nd time after 2010. She beat her Bundesleague und national team mate Sabine WINTER in the final with 4-1. “I’m super happy. Sabine really gave me a hard time. I could not work less for even a second“ the 31-year-old stated. 5 games only the result sounds easier than it was for SILBEREISEN. “Because we know each other so well and practice that often together the match was dominated by tactics. It was not at all easy for me”. Big surprise in the women’s doubles competition: Chantal MANTZ/YUAN Wan won their first title beat the top seed SILBEREISEN/WINTER in the semis. In men’s doubles the favorites of the tournament had to fight a lot but finally won their first national doubles title together: Ruwen FILUS/Ricardo WALTHER. by Simone Hinz Courtesy of DTTB Women’s singles semi finals Sabine WINTER – Tanja KRÄMER 4:0 (11: 9 11:9 11:2 11:6) Kristin SILBEREISEN – Nadine BOLLMEIER 4:0 (11:9 11:7 11:9 11:8) Final WINTER – SILBEREISEN 1:4 (9:11 4:11 7:11 11:5 8:11) Men‘s singles semi finals Lars HIELSCHER – Steffen MENGEL 1:4 (11:6 5:11 12:14 10:12 8:11) Patrick BAUM – Patrick FRANZISKA 4:2 (8:11 14:12 11:4 12:10 6:11 13:11) Final BAUM – MENGEL 4:2 (9:11 14:12 9:11 11:8 11:3 11:5) Women’s doubles semi finals Sabine WINTER/Kristin SILBEREISEN – Chantal MANTZ/YUAN Wan 3:4 (12:10 8:11 10:12 6:11 11:8 11:5 7:11) Nadine BOLLMEIER/Tanja KRÄMER – Yuko IMAMURA/Kathrin MÜHLBACH 3:4 (11:7 11:5 13:15 11:8 11:13 8:11 6:11). Final Chantal MANTZ/YUAN Wan – Yuko IMAMURA/Kathrin MÜHLBACH 4:2 (11:7 11:8 8:11 9:11 11:6 11:8) Men’s doubles semi finals Ruwen FILUS/Ricardo WALTHER – Erik BOTTROFF/Björn HELBING 4:2 (8:11 11:3 8:11 11:7 11:3 11:9) Hermann MÜHLBACH/Erik SCHREYER – Zoltan FEJER-KONNERTH/Dennis MÜLLER 3:4 (8:11 15:13 11:6 7:11 11:7 5:11 10:12) Final FILUS/WALTHER – Zoltan FEJER-KONNERTH/Dennis MÜLLER 4:1 (11:6 11:8 8:11 11:5 11:4)
Valentin NADJNEMEDI and Viktorija TRUZINSKI clinched titles in Serbia
National Championships Without top names at the entries the National Championships in Serbia concluded after one day tournament. Newly crowned champions are Valentin NADJNEMEDI and Viktoria TRUZINSKI in their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles Events. In Men’s Event NADJNEMEDI beat Vladimir RADONJIC in the final. Ivor KATIC and Nikola STRUGAREVIC won bronze. TRUZINSKI beat Ana Zofija FENJVESI on the last hurdle. In semis they prevailed against Izabela LUPULESKU and Ivana VEJNOVIC. In Women’s Doubles MAKSUTI and TRUZINSKI won gold FENJVESI SAVIC won silver and bronze went to Anelija and Izabela LUPULESKU and VEJNOVIC JOKIC. In Men’s Doubles new champions are MARTINOVIC and KATIC. They beat RADONJIC and GACEV. The bronze pairings are NADJNEMEDI and MAJSTOROVIC and KOSTADINOVIC and HALAS. NADJNEMEDI and FENJVESI won gold in Mixed doubles. FENJVESI TRUZINSKI and VEJNOVIC won three medals and with same number NADJNEMEDI and RADONJIC concluded the tournament.
IONESCU and DODEAN MONTEIRO clinched titles in Romania
Romanian National Championships Top Romanian Table Tennis players Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO Bernadette SZOCS Camelia POSTOACA Adina DIACONU Hunor SZOCS Ovidiu IONESCU Constantin CIOTI…gathered in Buzau. In fierce competition in front of national TV cameras with total of 122 players 86 man and 36 woman newly crowned champions are Ovidiu IONESCU and Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO. In the final of the Men’s Singles Event IONESCU beat Constantin CIOTI whilst Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO overcame Adina DIACONU. In the final of the Men’s Doubles Event IONESCU and CIOTI won gold after the succeeded against Alin SPELBUS and Adrian DODEAN. Daniela also doubled her trophies. She won gold with Bernadette SZOCS in Women’s Doubles. Finalist are Camelia POSTOACA and Irina CIOBANU. In Mixed Doubles Constantin CIOTI and Andreea DRAGOMAN clinched the title. Finalist are Alin SPELBUS and Irina CIOBANU.
Coaching seminar in Budapest video available now
The first professional meeting of European coaches for this year was held in Budapest from January 24 to January 26 2016 (Ormai Laszlo Sports Hall). It gathered 32 coaches from 15 European countries and featured two very interesting topics (“Methodical approach to learning of technical skills for young players” and “Selection Criteria in China at a young age”). “Lectures were held in 4 sessions during which a video and a power point presentation were given by the main lecturer Mr. Feng Zhe of China. After a long and distinguished career as a player Mr. Feng Zhe is now one of the coaches in educational projects of the Chinese College. Our interpreter and translator during those three days of lectures was Mr. Chan Bill of Canada and he did a superb job ” said Neven CEGNAR ETTU Development Manager. You can see the video from the seminar here (11 videos MOV and WMV version are available for download)
Brest Arena awaits French elite
French National Championship The French National Championship will be held in Brest Arena. New hall opened in September 2014 with capacity of 6.000 spectators will host player’s elite at three days tournament. Main favorite is World’s no. 24 Simon GAUZY who alredy won the title in 2013. Among the favorites are also defending champion Adrien MATTENET World’s no 51 Emmanuel LEBESSON champion from 2009…In Women’s singles Event YUAN Jia Nan will try to defend her title. LI Xue will try to enrich her tresuary with fifth trophy after she succeded in 2014 2013 2010 and 2009. Also Carole GRUNDISH will be in same pursuit she already won in 2011 1007 2006 and 2005. In 2015 Romain LORENTZ and Brice OLLIVIER won Men’s Doubles whilst LI Xue and Carole GRUNDISH succeded in Women’s Doubles Event.
ETTU President and SG visit DONIC in Völklingen (GER)
During a short courtesy visit by ETTU President Ronald KRAMER and Secretary General Richard SCRUTON to DONIC headquarters in Völklingen DONIC CEO Frank SCHREINER signed the official agreement confirming his company will supply the Nittaku Premium 40+ ball as the European Championships official ball for 2016 to 2019. During the visit there was an frank and open exchange of views on the present and future situation of table tennis in Europe and in the world followed by a short tour of the building. President KRAMER stated: “This visit to DONIC is part of our conviction that we must communicate and discuss with all stakeholders involved our sport. We need each others’ expertise and experience for the development of table tennis. Of course our suppliers’ and other commercial partners’ opinions are of great value for the future of our sport.”
LI Jie on duty in Zwolle
Dutch National Championships The Dutch National Championships will be played in Zwolle in the Landstede Sportcentrum this weekend. Main Favorites in the men’s event are Laurens TROMER Ewout OOSTWOUDER and Rajko GOMMERS. All three players are members of the Netherland’s national team. Ewout OOSTWOUDER is defending champion. In the women’s competition top contester is LI Jie followed by Yana TIMINA and Ana GOGORITA. Unfortunately Britt EERLAND had to withdraw from the doubles today due to illness. She will decide if she will be playing in the singles. By Wianka Overbeeke
Para Table Tennis a Part of Integrated 2018 Commonwealth Games Program
It has been announced that table tennis will be a part of the most extensive integrated para-sport program in history for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Following the announcement ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT stated:“It is great that Para Table Tennis is making its return to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 2010. It is a fantastic initiative from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to have Para athletes integrated with able bodied athletes which is something the ITTF has done at previous events.” President of the CGF Louise Martin CBE said:”With the largest-ever number of para-sport events in Commonwealth sporting history we are thrilled that Gold Coast 2018 will deliver an ambitious and welcome growth for the inclusive and integrated para-sport competition first presented at a Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002.” “Today’s announcement ensures that the next edition of the Games will enable sports fans in Australia and across the world to support a record-breaking number of para-athletes at a Commonwealth Games”. There will be 300 para-athletes and 38 medal events across seven sports to be showcased at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. This is an increase of 45% more athletes and 73% more medals compared to the record-breaking para-sport competition at Glasgow 2014. Apart from table tennis other sports being contested by para-athletes at Gold Coast 2018 are Athletics Cycling (Track) Lawn Bowls Powerlifting Swimming and Triathlon. The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be staged from 4-15 April 2018.
PITCHFORD and SIBLEY ready to defend titles
PG Mutual National Championships Reigning champions Liam PITCHFORD and Kelly SIBLEY are striking a confident note ahead of the defence of their title at the PG Mutual National Championships. PITCHFORD last year beat Paul DRINKHALL coming from 3-0 down to win his third title in a row while SIBLEY’S final victory over Tin-Tin HO represented the fifth title of her career. Both athletes arrive in Hatfield this Friday fresh from the World Team Championships in Malaysia where PITCHFORD played a starring role as the Leopards won bronze medals – England’s first at that level since 1983. And the Chesterfield ace said of his Nationals campaign: “It’s not as important as winning the medal at the Worlds but it’s the biggest English tournament and I’ve won it three times in a row so I want to make it four. “I can’t really complain about how I’m playing and I’m always confident but you never know who’s going to play well. “You’ve got to get yourself up for the first match and when it comes to the later stages hopefully I’ll still be playing and get a chance to play on TV.” PITCHFORD was referring to the fact that ITV4 is televising the last three hours of the event with the men’s doubles women’s singles and men’s singles finals to be aired live. He added: “It’s great for English table tennis and hopefully people will tune in and see some great matches and we’ll get some new fans.” PITCHFORD and Paul DRINKHALL will be defending their doubles title and PITCHFORD said: “Me and Paul have won it three times in a row and we go out there as favourites and we’ve proved in the tournaments we’ve played especially the Swedish Open when we reached the semi-finals that we’re a really good doubles pair. We’re quietly confident we can retain it.” Meanwhile SIBLEY goes into the women’s event in good form having won nine of her 11 matches at the Worlds culminating in beating world No 100 Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico. “Everybody wants to be national champion in whatever sport they compete in ” said SIBLEY. “Even though I’ve won it before I’m still hungrier than ever to retain my title and go on to win more. “I didn’t realise until last year that having five titles put me joint third on the all-time list so now I want to get the sixth and get into second place and keep going. “I’m just going to focus on one match at a time and hopefully I can continue my positive form and confidence from the Worlds.” The 27-year-old added: “I think it’s great we’ve got live TV. I think we’ve had highlights before but we haven’t been on live. It’s fantastic and shows table tennis is going in the right direction.” Author: Paul STIMPSON Courtesy of http://tabletennisengland.co.uk
