ITTF major events will be getting overhauled   The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) have decided to set up a working group to study the structure and format of the ITTF’s future major events. The decision was made at the ITTF Board of Directors (BoD) meeting held during the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The Board of Directors also decided that the ‘Planning and Promotion’ group will have to come up with a proposal to the Executive Committee by the end of this year on the concept and direction the ITTF wishes to take.   Newly formed ‘Planning and Promotion’ group is consisted of highest ITTF and Continental Federations officials. It is chaired by SHI Zhihao ITTF Executive Vice President and the members are Vladimir SAMSONOV member of the ITTF Executive Committee Ronald KRAMER President of European Table Tennis Union CAI Zhenhua President of the Asian Table Tennis Union Khaled El SALHY President of the African Table Tennis Federation   Tony KIESENHOFER Presidents for North America Table Tennis Union James MORRIS President of Oceania Table Tennis Federation and Juan VILA President of Latin America Table Tennis Federation. The members are also Glenn TEPPER ITTF Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Steve DAINTON ITTF Marketing Director. Following the creating of the working group ITTF’s CEO Judit Farago stated: “During the 2016 World Championships it became more apparent that the ITTF needs to take a look at it’s major events to ensure they are structured in a way to ensure the maximum commercial and promotional benefits to the ITTF and international table tennis.” Based on the Swedish 2018 World Team Championships organizers’ latest update report on the conditions in Halmstad the Board decided that a maximum of 72 Men’s and 72 Women’s teams will participate at the 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championships. At the same time the Board did not exclude further changes if the working group comes to such conclusion within its mandate. At the meeting the Board confirmed the allocation of several upcoming major junior events: 2016 World Cadet Challenge allocated to Shanghai China 2017 World Cadet Challenge allocated to Suva Fiji 2018 World Junior Championships allocated to Riva del Garda Italy The Board of Directors also gave the mandate to the Executive Committee to approve the ITTF Code of Ethics and Code of Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions documents and to add them to the ITTF Handbook with effect of 1st September 2016.

The PERFECT 2016 World Team TT Championships in Kuala Lumpur is concluded by China`s 3:0 victories against Japan in both Men`s and Women`s events   Both national teams of China became world champions 20th time as they beat Japanese squads in the final clashes at the PERFECT 2016 World Team TT Championships in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The score was twice 3:0.   Chinese men`s trio MA Long XU Xin and ZHANG Jike won Swaythling Cup in a great style. XU beat Jun MIZUTANI in the straight games of first match as well as actual individual world champion MA did against Maharu YOSHIMURA. XU Xin continued his winning streak and he still has no any loss at the World Team Championships. MA Long now has a 21 match winning streak in the World Team Championships since his lost to Germany`s Timo BOLL in the 2010 final in Moscow.   Current Olympic champion ZHANG Jike confirmed China`s victory against Yuya OSHIMA who was unique Japanese player who managed to win a set in today`s final.   “We have a strong team; I did not feel under any great pressure because I know I have such great support. I have total trust in my team mates” stated actual world`s no. 1 MA Long.   Kuala Lumpur`s Malawati Stadium has witnessed a 6th men`s final between China and Japan as China stays unbeaten against its biggest rival. Japanese men`s team a 7th time World Champion the last time lifted the trophy in 1969 in Munich.   Corbillon Cup has taken by China also 20th time. LIU Shiwen LI Xiaoxia and DING Ning emerged victorious against AI FUKUHARA Kasumi ISHIKAWA and 15-year-old Mima ITO. Japanese team was far from what it did in 1961 and 1971 when beat China in the final though ISHIKAWA had 2:0 (8:7) advantage against LI.   Men`s Final Japan – China 0:3 Jun MIZUTANI – XU Xin 0:3 (6:11 8:11 8:11) Maharu YOSHIMURA – MA Long 0:3 (3:11 8:11 6:11) Yuya OSHIMA – ZHANG Jike 1:3 (11:9 8:11 6:11 7:11)   Women`s Final Japan – China 0:3 Ai FUKUHARA – LIU Shiwen 0:3 (5:11 6:11 8:11) Kasumi ISHIKAWA – LI Xiaoxia 2:3 (11:6 11:7 9:11 3:11 5:11) Mima ITO – DING Ning 1:3 (11:8 7:11 8:11 1:11)

Perfect 2016 World Championships In both finals of the Men’s and Women’s events at the Perfect 2016 World Championships in Kuala Lumpur top seeds China will meet Japan.   Surprise semifinalist England who were only newly promoted to the Championships Divisions shocked the world’s top teams en route to the semifinals to face off Japan. England is the only promoted team ever to gain a podium finish in the Championship Division.   The trio of Paul DRINKHALL Liam PITCHFORD and Samuel WALKER played their best matches against the third seeded Japanese team. Jun MIZUTANI beat Paul Drinkhall (11-8 11-9 11-4); he was followed by Maharu YOSHIMURA who accounted for Liam PITCHFORD in a thrilling close encounter. Sam Walker gave England hope by beating Yuya OSHIMA (11-6 11-6 8-11 11-9). Jun MIZUTANI beat PICHFORD  (8-11 10-12 11-7 12-10 11-6   In the match that WALKER described as a best match in his career he beat World’s no.20 Yuya OSHIMA to give England chance to return into the match after two null in reverse.   “I think OSHIMA was very nervous and I took advantage of it. On the other side I was not under pressure so I played little bit relaxed. Latter he changed the tactic but managed to regain the control ” said WALKER.    After furious start of the fourth match PITCHFORD was in the driving seat before he lost four match points.   China beat Korea. XU Xin gave China the perfect start by beating LEE Sangsu (8-11 11-2 11-7 11-5); he was followed by MA Long who accounted for JUNG Youngsik (11-7 11-5 11-8) with ZHANG Jike overcoming Jang Woojin (7-11 11-4 11-9 12-10) to end matters.   “I lost the first game but then advice from Liu Guoliang my coach support from my team mates and after winning the second I became more and more confident” said XU Xin.   It is the 25th time since China first appeared in the World Championships in 1953 in Bucharest that they have reached the final of the Men’s Team event.   In the Malawati Stadium China reserved their place in the final of the Women’s Championship Division by emerging successful against Chinese Taipei 3:0. Taipei started proceedings at the no.8 seeds at the quarter-final stage they beat Hong Kong the no.4 seeds.   In the semis DING Ning beat CHEN Szu-Yu (11-6 11-7 11-4); LI Xiaoxia overcame CHENG I-Ching (11-9 15-13 11-2) before Zhu Yuling ended matters by beating CHENG Hsien-Tzu (11-7 11-6 11-2).    “I was very nervous before the match but once it started I relaxed and became confident” said DING Ning. “The Chinese Team is very strong but it’s quite normal just to feel a little apprehensive before such a big match.”   It is the 25th time in 30 appearances that China has reached the final of the Women’s Team event at a World Championships.   Japan beat DPR Korea on Friday to book their place in the ultimate round.    

Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur   The England is through to the semi-finals in the World Championships for the first time in 33 years. At the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships in 2014 in Tokyo England emerged successfully at the top of the Second division to be promoted to the elite. Only two years later at the Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur the same players Liam PITCHFORD Paul DRINKHALL and Samuel WALKER secured their first medal. England played in the quarterfinal of the World championships first time after Tokyo 1993. They beat France to reach the medal rostrum. In the semis they will play against Japan.   In the full distance nail biting match it was France who had dream start. Simon GAUZY beat Paul DRINKHALL in straight game but in very close contest that announced great battle that followed (10:9 10:8 10:8). In doughtily performance Liam PITCHFORD brought England back to the game. He beat Emmanuel LEBESSON in straight games (8:11 6:11 9:11). Once again pendulum swung. Tristan FLORE gave France the lead again. Samuel WALKER took only one game (11:8 11:5 7:11 11:7). Liam PITCHFORD was the star of the day. His match against Simon GAUZY his teammate from Bundesliga’s Ochsenhausen kept the spectators on the very edges of their seats before he salad it with the victory and pushed to the decider (10:12 21:19 9:11 9:11).   In the full distance table tennis treat  DRINKHALL overcame LEBESSON (13:15 11:8 11:9 9:11 11:13). Paul took a fifth match point in the deciding game to secure the victory. DRINKHALL stated after: “Yes I was 10-6 in the fifth but I won 13-11 and that is what counts!”   “It has just been fantastic Liam played great today and won both his matches and Sam has been great at number three” added DRINKHALL. “We came here as a promoted team; our aim was to stay in the division now we are in the semi-finals; it is just beyond belief.”   It was a view with which PITCHFORD agreed with: “Yesterday Paul won two and we won against Poland; today I won two and we won against France. We have all played to a good level; we have beaten good team; everyone has pulled together.”       Sweden’s duel against China brought back sweet memories of the past but in this attempt Asian side still stood too strong. Despite brave effort Mattias KARLSSON Kristian KARLSSON and Jon PERSSON failed to halt the progress of the reigning champions. MA Long FAN Zhedong and XU Xin succeeded in straight matches. China maintained the clean record but they faced pressure coming from the other side of the net.   “I have never played against Kristian and that is why I felt uncomfortable at the beginning. It is my first World Championships and I feel little bit nervous. In two opening game I was too much passive. I started to take control only after the second game ” explained FAN Zhedong.   Swedish Coach Marcus SJÖBERG was positive about his team’s performance.   “I appreciate the way players entered the match. They had great attitude despite the enormity of the challenge they have faced. They showed great fighting spirit; they did not give up at any point. We proved we can play against such team and with such young players I think in near future we will prove we can win as well. They performance brings optimism before the 2018 World Team’s Championships in Halmstad ” said SJOBERG.  

Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships     China and Japan the respective top two seeds in the Women’s Championship Division at the Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur booked their places in the semi final.   Japan suffered in the match against Germany day earlier but in the quarterfinal it was opposite scenario. Asian girls prevailed in straight matches.   Mima ITO only 15 years old started proceedings and beat Sabine Winter in four games.    “I chose Mima to play first because she was the player in the group stage who played the best in the team; she has not lost a match” said Yazakazu MURAKAMI. “Today she showed really good concentration she followed the tactics and she was able to adapt.”   Kasumi ISHIKAWA and Ai FUKUHARA beat Petrissa SOLJA and Kristin SILBEREISEN.    “After we lost last night we did a lot of video analysis; we looked at where we made mistakes” continued Yazakazu Murakami. “Yesterday before we played the match we knew we had secured first place I think the players took it for granted that they would win; today was much different it was a change for the better.”   In the match China against the Netherlands LIU Shiwen lost her opening game against LI Jiao but it was much closer contest in the final stages of the match when DING Ning had to save one match point in the fifth and deciding game against Li Jie before emerging victoriously.   LI Xiaoxia also faced predssure; she needed four games to beat Britt EERLAND.    “Against Li Jiao it was difficult at the start I was leading and she came back” said LIU Shiwen. “She is an experience player and it took me some time to adapt but the more the match progressed the more comfortable I became.”   DING Ning added: “It was really hard work; I have not played a great deal recently against that style of play. Li Jie uses short pimpled rubber on the backhand not long pimples which enables her to vary the spin on the ball I did not adapt. I was surprised how well she played. I really did not expect such a hard match.”    

Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur In the quarterfinal of the Men’s event at the Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur in epic battle Portugal the European champions from 2014 suffered by the hands of players from Korea Republic 3:1. Much closer then the results shows Portugal pushed Korea to the limits but failed to add World medal to their list of recent success.   Joao MONTEIRO currently listed at the position no 45 was defeated by LEE Sangsu World’s no. 19. MONTEIRO lost two games by narrowest margin 1:3 (4:11 13:11 8:11 10:12) but could not prevent LEE of giving Korea the dream start. Portugal’s no 1 and World’s no. 11 Marcos FREITAS faced JOO Saehyuk.  Player who occupies position no. 16 in the World beat FREITAS (11:6 11:8 13:15 11:3) and he used his defensive skills to overcame MONTEIRO in the fourth duel of the contest (11:5 10:12 12:14 11:7 11:9). The only point for Portugal recorded Tiago APOLONIA who overcame JUNG Youngsik no. 13 in the World who won his first ITTF title last year at age of 24 (11:5 12:10 10:12 11:6).   “I came into game after two nil in reverse. It was difficult moment but I had to keep our hopes alive. I played very aggressive and cornered him. I think I was mentally stronger today ” said APOLONIA.   FREITAS simplify the event.   “They were just better today. We knew what to expect and we were ready but they outplayed us. Behind this result is very close game that started with completely open contest between MONTEIRO and LEE. It could go both sides. I was very unlucky in the second game with two points that I lose unfortunately.” Said FREITAS.   After Tiago APOLONIA won his match and Joao was down 1:0 and 9:4 we saw another turning point.   “Joao was very calm he controlled JOO Saehyuk’s game until the closing stage. At the end one or two balls made the difference.”   In the semi final of the Women’s Championship Division China will meet Chinese Taipei whilst Japan will play against Korea DPR.   Today Chinese Taipei upset the seeding. The no.8 seeds they beat Hong Kong the no.4 seeds by three matches to two to reserve a place on the medal podium. Korea DPR seeded no. 9 also exceeded their seeding position. In five matches they overcame no. 5 seeds Singapore.   Day earlier both European teams in the quarterfinal faced defeats. Japan prevailed against Germany whilst China beat Netherlands.  

Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships   Sweden won the last medal for Europeans at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2000. They beat China in the final. 16 years later they will meet China again on their way to the medal rostrum at the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships.   On they way to the quarters Sweden beat Croatia in straight games.   “Croatia has a three very strong players but we were safe from the moment when Kristian KARLSSON beat their leading player – Andrej GACINA. He played very aggressive ” said Swedish Coach Marcus SJÖBERG. “PUCAR also improved his game. Certainly now I’m delighted with the whole team effort; it is especially pleasing as we are playing without Pär GERELL he is home in Sweden sick. Mattias KARLSSON has been particularly strong in close matches; Jon PERSSON was drafted in to the team to replace Pär GERELL and he has just beaten Zoran PRIMORAC.”   Now a familiar foe awaits; the final of 2000 in Kuala Lumpur when against the odds China beat Sweden in the Men’s Team final is 16 years later a quarter-final duel. “Happy memories on that occasion Sweden was not expected to win” concluded Marcus SJÖBERG. “Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”