2016 Belgium Junior & Cadet Open   Sunday 24th April 2016 is a day that will live long in the memory of Irish Table Tennis folk far and wide following the heroics of our own Owen CATHCART at the ITTF Belgium Junior & Cadet Open Premium World Junior Circuit Event in the city of Spa. Following a gruelling main draw run in the Ormeau TTC player stood tallest at the close of play as he was crowned Cadet Boys Singles Champion after a hard fought five set victory over Sergi GRAU (ESP) in a gripping final – what an achievement!   Since the establishment of the ITTF World Junior Circuit these events have been the breeding ground for prolific champions and as a result they have always been notoriously difficult tournaments particularly for the ‘lesser’ countries. With no hiding places Owen embraced the challenge and pushed on to exceed all expectations and pick up his and Ireland’s first ever ITTF World Tour title.   Following a team bronze medal alongside debutant Jonatan McDonald which in normal circumstances would be a major highlight from such an event Owen was well set up for his assault on the Cadet Boys Singles. He opened his group stage account with a straight forward 3-0 win over Gonzalez (ESP). However he then had a wobble going down to the inspired play of Degros (BEL) 1-3.   This put the Ormeau boy into the bottom half of Sunday’s main draw where first up he would face a tough test in Dorcescu (FRA). He wasn’t to be halted as he battled through in 4 sets. Next up was Dutch Number 1 and WR 43 Roel Bogie. The Dutchman got the better of Owen in straight sets in the team event quarter final so this was always going to be a big challenge. There was no denying him this time though as an agressive display of speed and precision earned him a 3-1 victory.   A big scalp but Ireland’s top man was far from done. Next up was Ruiz (ESP) and another battle ensued. Owen was sharp once again leading 2-1 and 8-4 before the tide was turned as the Spaniard took the 4th set 12-10. A fast start and some wise words from coach Murphy followed as Owen raced clear to take the 5th 11-5 sealing his place in the semi final. In the penultimate round Owen faced the dangerous left-hander Jacques (BEL). Winning the serve/receive battle was crucial here and the Belfast boy did just that paving the way for a 3-1 victory and with it a final berth. Standing in Owen’s way was top Spaniard Sergi Grau no stranger to this stage following his final appearance in last years ITTF World Junior Circuit Event in Portugal. If one thing was for certain Owen’s opponent had pedigree at the highest level. Following some homework of his own as he watched over some videos of Grau in action Owen was ready.   Right from the off it was clear that he wouldn’t let this one go. Owen continued where he left off earlier and fired wave after wave of attack at his battle hardened opponent. Unfazed Grau hung in and eventually pushed the final into a deciding 5th set. Always the aggressor though Owen was up for the challenge as he came out firing in the 5th. Leading 6-2 following a fast start to the set Owen was in the ascendency. Grau hit back claiming the next 2 points sparking an immediate time-out from Coach John Murphy. It worked. From 7-5 Owen played an amazing level of Table Tennis giving Grau no chance as he stormed towards a historic victory.   Following their success Owen and John were greeted with a heroes welcome in Dublin Airport as TTI board members and staff including former Chairman President and Life Honorary Member Mr Joe Hickey (pictured) waited with proud parents Simon and Sinead upon their arrival.   On the historic achievement Table Tennis Ireland President Mr Kenneth Strong stated;   ”What Owen has achieved is nothing short of extraordinary. He has shown all aspiring players that with enough hard work and dedication anything is possible. He is true credit to his family and we are all very proud of him!”   Table Tennis Ireland Chairperson Ms Patricia Hunter expressed her delight by declaring that; ‘This win could be the start of a new era for Table Tennis in Ireland’   Commenting on his success upon arrival in Dublin Airport Owen remained composed as he reflected:   ”I knew it was going to be tough. He (Grau) was in the final of Portugal last year only losing to a Taipei guy so I expected a really hard match. I played in some big matches before and I got nervous thinking too much about winning so I decided before the final that I’d give it a go and be aggressive”   On his charge and what this result means to high performance table tennis in Ireland National Coach John Murphy stated:   ”I think a big reason for this success is firstly the huge commitment Owen has given over the years but also the close network between club province and the National set-up. The way all of these have engaged and worked together has been crucial in his development. It’s a fantastic example for other young players in Ireland. To be honest from my perspective it’s (this result) not a massive surprise. I say this because we know how hard we have worked over the years. This is a just reward for the countless hours dedicated by Owen his family and coaches in Ireland”   By Table Tennis Ireland

2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open in Warsaw   Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in the final of the 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open in Warsaw. The second seed he beat OVTCHAROV the top seed in the Men’s Singles final to reserve the top step of the medal podium (7-11 11-9 11-5 11-4 9-11 11-6). Japan’s Miu HIRANO won the Women’s Singles title. The no.11 seed she beat Singapore’s YU Mengyu the no.15 seed to arrest the title (12-10 11-9 12-10 11-7).That is her first ever ITTF World Tour Women’s Singles title in her second such final.   Korea’s JEON Jihee and YU Mengyu won the Women’s Doubles title. Occupying the top seeded position they beat the combination of the host nation’s LI Qian and LI Jie of the Netherlands (11-4 12-10 11-7) to arrest the title. For LI Jie and LI Qian bronze medallists at the Qoros 2015 World Championships in Suzhou it was the second time that they had reached an ITTF World Tour Women’s Doubles final and the second time they had suffered defeat. The one previous occasion was last year in Austria when beaten by Germany’s Petrissa SOLJA and SHAN Xiaona.   Japan’s Masataka MORIZONO and Yuya OSHIMA claimed the title. They overcame colleagues Koki NIWA and Maharu YOSHIMURA (16-14 11-8 11-8) in the Men’s Doubles Event.  

2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open in Warsaw   Bastian STEGER of Germany upset the ranking order and beat Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS on his way to the semi final of the Men’s Singles Event at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open in Warsaw. He succeeded in full seven games thriller and tomorrow he will meet Dimitrij OVTCHAROV the no. one seed.   OVTCHAROV overcame Kohei SAMBE of Japan in five games to book his semi final place.   Netherlands’ Li Jiao the no.15 seed booked her place among top four players in the Women’s Singles event. She beat quarterfinal’s surprise winner Germany’s Sabine WINTER to secure her passage to the penultimate round. In the semi final LI will meet Miu HIARANO of Japan after she overcame her compatriot Hitomo SATO. Germany’s HAN Ying the no.4 seed lost against Kasumi ISHIKAWA of Japan.   The winners of the bronze medal at the World Championships in Doubles LI Jie of Netherlands and LI Qian of Poland reached the final of the Women’s Doubles Event. They overcame Yui HAMAMOTO and Hina HAYATA of Japan in the semis. In the final Dutch Polosh combination will meet Korea’s JEON Jihee and YANG Haeun. In the Men’s Doubles final Masataka MORIZONO and Yuya OSHIMA of Japan will meet compatriots Koki NIWA and Maharu YOSHIMURA.   Denmark’s WANG Zhixu emerged as the surprise winner of the Under 21 Men’s Singles event. It was his first such title as for Japan’s Miyu KATO the player to secure the top step of the podium in the Under 21 Women’s Singles event; it was the second time she had won and the second time this year.

The Day 4 of 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open (Major) in Warsaw   The top seed in the Men`s Singles Event Dimitrij OVTCHAROV had an easy job in the first two rounds. German beat host Marek BADOWSKI and Hungarian Adam PATTANTYUS respectively both in straight games while no. 5 seed Marcos FREITAS reached third round after hard clash with Japanese Kazuhiro YOSHIMURA. Portuguese defeated Vitor ISHIY from Brazil in the opening round of the main draw.   The 2011 Polish Open winner and no.6 seed this time Korea`s LEE Sangsu surprisingly lost to Russian Kirill SKACHKOV who was required to play in the qualification. European won 4:2 (12:10 11:7 8:11 11:5 8:11 11:6).   Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO caused the biggest upset in the Round of 64 as he beat the no. 3 seed Japanese Koki NIWA in six games – 4:2 (11:9 11:7 6:11 11:8 9:11 12:10). But Ukrainian didn’t manage to stay in the winning course and lost to Czech Republic`s Tomas KONECNY after full seven games – 4:3 (11:9 11:3 7:11 11:5 5:11 11:13 11:3).   Actual world`s no. 108 at the ITTF Women`s Ranking List Maria XIAO confirmed her winning streak from the qualification stage beating no. 22 seed Irene IVANCAN. After first two sets the score was leveled but Spanish player found a right play against German defender the 2011 European individual runner-up and won next three games in a row – 4:1 (11:7 8:11 13:11 12:10 11:5).   The no. 7 seed Germany`s Petrissa SOLJA kept her good shape from the recent 2016 European Olympic Qualification in Halmstad defeating Luxembourg`s Sarah DE NUTTE 4:2 (9:11 11:8 11:9 11:7 8:11 11:8). The 22-year-old had a bad start in the Round of 32 as Nanthana KOMWONG took the opening set but in the next four SOLJA was unstoppable.   Sabine WINTER is one of the heroes of the Day 4. She played 13 sets in two matches first against Yu AMANO 4:3 (11:5 11:6 8:11 11:4 7:11 9:11 11:5) then against Korea`s YANG Haeun 4:2 (11:6 12:14 12:10 3:11 11:6 11:9). German women now stands in front of one harder hurdle named LI Jie from Netherlands.   Host Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA reached the Round of 16 as she overcame SHAN Xiaona in five games.   A half Round of 16 participants are Europeans but three Top 8 places are already secured for the Old Continent because six out of them will play one against another: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) – Lubomir JANCARIK (Czech Republic) Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) – BAI He (Slovakia) Tomas KONECNY (Czech Republic) – Bastian STEGER (Germany). Other two are Robert FLORAS (Poland) and Joao GERALDO (Portugal) who will challenge the no. 2 seed Japanese Jun MIZUTANI.   Italian pair Marco RECH DALDOSSO / Niagol STOYANOV is unique European representative among the best four men`s doubles. Regarding women`s competition LI Jie (Netherlands) and LI Qian (Poland) managed to progress to the semi-final.  

The Day 2 of the 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open (Major)   Second day of the 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open (Major) in Warsaw was very successful for the French players who secured seven spots in the main draw via qualification stage. They are Benjamin BROSSIER (Group 7) Andrea LANDRIEU (Group 10) Tristan FLORE (Group 15) Quentin ROBINOT (Group 16) Antoine HACHARD (Group 18) Alexandre CASSIN (Group 29) and Can AKKUZY (Group 40). One of them Andrea LANDRIEU beat Zoran PRIMORAC in the Group 10 after full seven games 4:3 (14:12 3:11 8:11 11:13 11:5 11:6 12:10). The 20-year-old will meet Jens LUNDQVIST in the Round of 64.   In the Group 23 Fabian AKERSTROM from Sweden overcame Benedikt DUDA in one of the most thrilling encounters of the day 4:3 (11:5 8:11 11:9 4:11 12:10 6:11 13:11).   Romanian Hunor SZOCS progressed to the main draw after two hard games. First in the decisive match of the group stage he eliminated LAM Siu Hang from Hong Kong 4:3 (4:11 11:6 11:2 5:11 17:15 10:12 11:7) then he defeated Yuto KIZUKURI (Japan) in the Pre-rounds phase 4:2 (11:5 11:9 7:11 11:9 9:11 13:11).   The winner of the Group 21 host player Marek BADOWSKI will face the top seed and actual European champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV.   After the group stage in the Women`s Singles Event 18 European players out of 26 groups booked their places in the main draw. They are Kristin SILBEREISEN (GER) Stephanie LOEUILLETTE (FRA) Carole GRUNDISCH (FRA) Hana MATELOVA (CZE) Alina ARLOUSKAYA (BLR) Yana NOSKOVA (RUS) Kinga STEFANSKA (POL) Ruta PASKAUSKIENE (LTU) Renata STRBIKOVA (CZE) Antonina SAVELYEVA (RUS) Galia DVORAK (ESP) Petra LOVAS (HUN) Maria XIAO (ESP) Olga BARANOVA (RUS) Alexandra PRIVALOVA (BLR) Sarah DE NUTTE (LUX) Pauline CHASSELIN (FRA) Nadine BOLLMEIER (GER).

The 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open (Major) Warsaw   World`s no. 235 the 23-year-old Stephanie LOEUILLETTE from France created one of biggest upsets in the opening day of the 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open (Major) in Warsaw. She beat no. 71 Viktoria PAVLOVICH (Byelorussia) former individual European champion from 2010 (Ostrava) and 2012 (Herning) – 4:3 (11:3 5:11 10:12 11:9 7:11 11:7 11:6). LOEUILLETTE secured top spot in the Group 3 as she overcame MAK Tze Wing from Hong Kong 4:0 (11:5 11:6 12:10 11:7)   Players who have 1-0 score after the first day in the group stage of Women`s Singles Event are: Kristin SILBEREISEN (Group 2) Carole GRUNDISCH (Group 5) Hana MATELOVA (Group 6) Yana NOSKOVA (Group 8) Eva ODOROVA (Group 9) Irina CIOBANU (Group 10) Yulia PROKHOROVA Kinga STEFANSKA (Group 11) Ruta PASKAUSKIENE Andrea TODOROVIC (Group 12) Renata STRBIKOVA (Group 13) Camelia POSTOACA Antonina SAVELYEVA (Group 14) Galia DVORAK Marie MIGOT (Group 15) Elena TROSHNEVA (Group 16) Petra LOVAS Alex GALIC (Group 17) Klaudia KUSINSKA (Group 19) Maria XIAO Natalia BAJOR (Group 19) Olga BARANOVA (Group 20) Alexandra PRIVALOVA (Group 21) Sarah DE NUTTE Rachel MORET (Group 22) Szandra PERGEL Pauline CHASSELIN (Group 23) Nadine BOLLMEIER (Group 24) MA Wenting (Group 26).   Regarding the Men`s competition host Marek BADOWSKI won both his encounters in the Group 21 against Samuel WALKER (England) 4:3 (8:11 11:6 11:6 13:11 7:11 7:11 12:10) and Florent LAMBIET (Belgium) 4:1 (11:9 7:11 11:8 11:5 11:8).WALKER is the actual runner-up of the 2016 England National Championship and a member of England`s national team which won bronze medal at the 2016 World Team Championships in Malaysia.   Men`s Qualifications consists 40 groups with three or four players. This stage will be concluded tomorrow.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has opened bids for the new and improved 2017 ITTF World Tour.   The revamped and restructured ITTF World Tour will have a new look and image in 2017 to make the tour a much more attractive proposition to countries and cities to promote themselves globally through table tennis.   ITTF’s President Thomas WEIKERT stated: “The ITTF World Tour has been a very valuable property since its inception in 1996. However the ITTF believed it was time to shake up the World Tour to make it more commercially viable for potential hosts and to increase the overall economic situation of the tour. We believe the changes implemented will take the already successful ITTF World Tour to the next level.”   There are 12 ITTF World Tour events available for bidding in 2017 which are 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.   The six ITTF World Tour Platinum events will have higher prize money and be of a higher level event which will ensure the world’s best players’ attendance resulting in more international exposure for the hosts.   The current third tier of the ITTF World Tour the ITTF World Tour Challenge series will be removed from the ITTF World Tour for 2017 and form a new property called the ITTF Challenge Series which will be the development tour of the ITTF.   The ITTF World Tour has consistently been a great avenue for countries and cities to gain global reach promotion and recognition as the below figures portray:      20 TV broadcasters in 80 countries with a potential reach of over 550 million;    405 hours of the World Tour broadcasted including 62.5 hours on China’s national broadcaster CCTV reaching 157 million people in total;    US$2.2 million in TV media value for the city of Berlin at the 2016 ITTF World Tour German Open;    16 million video views of 2015 ITTF World Tour online videos;    Connection to ITTF’s 1.3 million social media fans;    21% of the global population is interested in Table Tennis.   To become a part of the world’s biggest table tennis tour which is only going to get bigger go to ITTFWorldTour.com to find out more information and submit your bid.   For more information on the ITTF Challenge Series go to ITTFChallengeSeries.com.   Bids close 31 May 2016 so be quick not to miss out!