2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open in Hodonin, Cristian PLETEA remained unbeaten to guide Romania, the top seeds, to the title at the Junior Boys Teams Event at the 2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open in Hodonin. Marie MIGOT also had her moments of glory, after she led France to the top place at the medal rostrum. In the final Romania beat the second seeds – Japan. In the opening contest in the final, PLETEA beat Yukiya UDA (2-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4), the winner two days earlier of the Junior Boys’ Singles title, before in the fourth match of the fixture he beat Koyo KANAMITSU in five game (11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8). Alexandru MANOLE defeated Yu KAYAMA (9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-3); for Japan, the one success came courtesy of Koyo KANAMITSU. In the second match he overcame Rares SIPOS (6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8). At the quarter-final stage, the Romanians accounted for the sixth seeded Slovenian outfit formed by Peter HRIBAR, Darko JORGIC and Erik PAULIN. Against the third seeded Russian trio of Maksim KISELEV, Artur ABUSEV and Nikita YARUSHIN it was a three matches to one success for Romania. At the quarter-final stage in the match Japan against Poland ‘A’, the no.17 seeds put favorites under pressure. Kamil NALEPA, Tomasz KOTOWSKI and Marco GALLO rose to the challenge to stretch the eventual silver medallists the full distance in a contest were only one match did not require a deciding game. Tense times in the round of the last eight for Japan; at the semi-final stage less exacting; they beat the fourth seeded Czech Republic’s Jiri MARTINKO, Tomas POLANSKY and Patrik KLOS by three match to nil. Marie MIGOT lost her duel in the final of the Junior Girls’ Singles event; she had been beaten in the final in a full seven games contest by Japan’s Kana TAKEUCHI, but two days later, in the final of the Junior Girls’ Team event she extracted revenge. She beat Kana TAKEUCHI in three straight games (13-11, 11-7, 14-12) to set France, the no.3 seeds, en route to a three matches to nil victory over Japan, the no.2 seeds. Success for MIGOT was followed by success for Oceane GUISNEL in opposition to Miyu NAGASAKI (11-3, 12-10, 11-4). Leili MOSTAFAVI concluded matters by overcoming Yuko KATO (9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8). At the semi-final stage, the Japanese trio had recovered from a two matches to nil deficit to beat Romania, the top seeds. Earlier at the quarter-final stage of proceedings, Japan had beaten the outfit formed by Thailand’s Jinnipa SAWETTABUT who joined forces with Sweden’s Ellen HOLMSTEN and Erika FRONT, the no.6 seeds, by three matches to nil. France with Marie MIGOT, Oceane GUISNEL and Leili MOSTAFAVI on duty had accounted the Croatia trio of Klara CAKOL, Andrea PAVLOVIC and Ema MARN by three matches to one to reserve their place in the penultimate round where they continued in a similar vein.No changes to the line-up, a three-one success was posted against the fourth seeded Serbian outfit comprising Dragana VIGNJEVIC, Izabela LUPULESKU and Tijana JOKIC. In the Cadet Boys’ Teams event Hungarian A team beat Hungary B in straight matches. Patrik JUHASZ and Csaba ANDRAS overcame Norbert TEREK and Oliver BOTH. Combination of Korea’s SHIN Yubin and Romania’s Luiza POPESCU overcame Slovenia’s Lea PAULIN and Katarina STRAZAR in the final of the Girls Event 3:1.
Titles for Romani and France
2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open in Hodonin, Cristian PLETEA remained unbeaten to guide Romania, the top seeds, to the title at the Junior Boys Teams Event at the 2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open in Hodonin. Marie MIGOT also had her moments of glory, after she led France to the top place at the medal rostrum. In the final Romania beat the second seeds – Japan. In the opening contest in the final, PLETEA beat Yukiya UDA (2-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4), the winner two days earlier of the Junior Boys’ Singles title, before in the fourth match of the fixture he beat Koyo KANAMITSU in five game (11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8). Alexandru MANOLE defeated Yu KAYAMA (9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-3); for Japan, the one success came courtesy of Koyo KANAMITSU. In the second match he overcame Rares SIPOS (6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8). At the quarter-final stage, the Romanians accounted for the sixth seeded Slovenian outfit formed by Peter HRIBAR, Darko JORGIC and Erik PAULIN. Against the third seeded Russian trio of Maksim KISELEV, Artur ABUSEV and Nikita YARUSHIN it was a three matches to one success for Romania. At the quarter-final stage in the match Japan against Poland ‘A’, the no.17 seeds put favorites under pressure. Kamil NALEPA, Tomasz KOTOWSKI and Marco GALLO rose to the challenge to stretch the eventual silver medallists the full distance in a contest were only one match did not require a deciding game. Tense times in the round of the last eight for Japan; at the semi-final stage less exacting; they beat the fourth seeded Czech Republic’s Jiri MARTINKO, Tomas POLANSKY and Patrik KLOS by three match to nil. Marie MIGOT lost her duel in the final of the Junior Girls’ Singles event; she had been beaten in the final in a full seven games contest by Japan’s Kana TAKEUCHI, but two days later, in the final of the Junior Girls’ Team event she extracted revenge. She beat Kana TAKEUCHI in three straight games (13-11, 11-7, 14-12) to set France, the no.3 seeds, en route to a three matches to nil victory over Japan, the no.2 seeds. Success for MIGOT was followed by success for Oceane GUISNEL in opposition to Miyu NAGASAKI (11-3, 12-10, 11-4). Leili MOSTAFAVI concluded matters by overcoming Yuko KATO (9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8). At the semi-final stage, the Japanese trio had recovered from a two matches to nil deficit to beat Romania, the top seeds. Earlier at the quarter-final stage of proceedings, Japan had beaten the outfit formed by Thailand’s Jinnipa SAWETTABUT who joined forces with Sweden’s Ellen HOLMSTEN and Erika FRONT, the no.6 seeds, by three matches to nil. France with Marie MIGOT, Oceane GUISNEL and Leili MOSTAFAVI on duty had accounted the Croatia trio of Klara CAKOL, Andrea PAVLOVIC and Ema MARN by three matches to one to reserve their place in the penultimate round where they continued in a similar vein.No changes to the line-up, a three-one success was posted against the fourth seeded Serbian outfit comprising Dragana VIGNJEVIC, Izabela LUPULESKU and Tijana JOKIC. In the Cadet Boys’ Teams event Hungarian A team beat Hungary B in straight matches. Patrik JUHASZ and Csaba ANDRAS overcame Norbert TEREK and Oliver BOTH. Combination of Korea’s SHIN Yubin and Romania’s Luiza POPESCU overcame Slovenia’s Lea PAULIN and Katarina STRAZAR in the final of the Girls Event 3:1.
Silver for JORGIC and MIGOT in singles
2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open in Hodonin, Japan’s Kana TAKEUCHI and Yukiya UDA clinched the titles in their respective Girls’ and Boys’ Singles Event at the 2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open in Hodonin. In the final of the Boy’s Event ,UDA beat Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC. Occupying the no.4 seeded position in the draw, UDA overcame the top seeded Slovenian in six games (7-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7) to secure the first ITTF Junior Circuit Boys’ Singles title of his career. At the quarter-final stage he beat Austria’s Andreas LEVENKO, the no.6 seed (11-3, 13-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-7), before ousting Aliaksandr KHANIN of Belarus, the no.5 seed (18-16, 6-11, 11-4, 1-11, 11-3, 11-9) to reserve his place in the final. Darko JORGIC accounted for Poland’s Tomasz KOTOWSKI, a player who had been required to negotiate the qualification stages (11-7, 3-11, 11-1, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6), prior to reserving his place in the final courtesy of success in opposition to Russia’s Nikita YARUSHIN, the no.13 seed (11-6, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10). Darko JORGIC won the silver medal in the Boys’ Doubles competition. Partnering the host nation’s Tomas POLANSKY and occupying the top seeded position in the event, they experienced a four games defeat in the final, losing to the combination of Austria’s Andreas LEVENKO and Romania’s Cristian PLETEA, the no.2 seeds (11-8, 13-11, 5-11, 13-11). Earlier at the semi-final stage, LEVENKO and PLETEA had beaten Japan’s Takeru KASHIWA and Yu KAYAMA, the no.10 seeds, (4-11, 11-5, 13-11, 6-11, 12-10); whilst rather more comfortably JORGIC and POLANSKY had overcame the Romanian partnership of Alexandru MANOLE and Rares SIPOS (11-7, 12-10, 11-6). The no.5 seed Japan’s Kana TAKEUCHI beat Marie MIGOT of France, the no.4 seed in the final, to win the Junior Girls’ Singles event at the 2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open. It was a hard fought victory, the 16 year old needed the full seven games to secure success (13-15, 11-4, 14-12, 10-12, 5-11, 11-5, 11-2). Earlier, at the quarter-final stage, Kana TAKEUCHI overcame Audrey ZARIF, the no.3 seed (11-7, 11-7, 11-2, 15-13), prior to causing an even bigger upset by overcoming Romania’s Adina DIACONU, the top seed, in the penultimate round (11-7, 11-8, 13-11, 11-6). Marie MIGOT at the quarter-final and semi-final stages needed six games to secure success. In the round of the last eight she beat Serbia’s Izabela LUPULESKU, the no.13 seed (5-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 16-14, 11-9), before reserving her place in the final courtesy of success against Yuko KATO, like Kana TAKEUCHI from Japan and the no.7 seed (11-3, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10). Notably, Yuko Kato was a player in form; in the quarter-final round, she had ousted Romania’s Andreea DRAGOMAN, the no.2 seed, by the very closest of margins in a seven games thriller (8-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 15-13, 11-9). Silver for Marie MIGOT in the Junior Girls’ Singles event, earlier in the day in the Junior Girls’ Doubles competition it had been gold. Partnering compatriot Oceane GUISNEL (the no.3 seeds), the top step of the podium was secured at the final expense of Serbia’s Tijana JOKIC and Dragana VIGNJEVIC the no.14 seed. At the semi-final stage MIGOT and GUISNEL overcame Romania’s Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN, the top seeds. Tijana JOKIC and Dragana VIGNJEVIC in the second round accounted for the French partnership of Leili MOSTAFAVI and Audrey ZARIF, the no.2 seeds (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9), before overcoming Romania’s Andreea CLAPA and Mihaela PLAESU, the no.6 seeds (11-4, 5-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6) to reserve their place in the penultimate round.In the semis they overcame Croatia’s Ema MARN and Andrea PAVLOVIC, the no.8 seeds (7-11, 12-10, 14-12, 5-11, 11-8) to reserve their place in the final.
Silver for JORGIC and MIGOT in singles
2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open in Hodonin, Japan’s Kana TAKEUCHI and Yukiya UDA clinched the titles in their respective Girls’ and Boys’ Singles Event at the 2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open in Hodonin. In the final of the Boy’s Event ,UDA beat Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC. Occupying the no.4 seeded position in the draw, UDA overcame the top seeded Slovenian in six games (7-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7) to secure the first ITTF Junior Circuit Boys’ Singles title of his career. At the quarter-final stage he beat Austria’s Andreas LEVENKO, the no.6 seed (11-3, 13-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-7), before ousting Aliaksandr KHANIN of Belarus, the no.5 seed (18-16, 6-11, 11-4, 1-11, 11-3, 11-9) to reserve his place in the final. Darko JORGIC accounted for Poland’s Tomasz KOTOWSKI, a player who had been required to negotiate the qualification stages (11-7, 3-11, 11-1, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6), prior to reserving his place in the final courtesy of success in opposition to Russia’s Nikita YARUSHIN, the no.13 seed (11-6, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10). Darko JORGIC won the silver medal in the Boys’ Doubles competition. Partnering the host nation’s Tomas POLANSKY and occupying the top seeded position in the event, they experienced a four games defeat in the final, losing to the combination of Austria’s Andreas LEVENKO and Romania’s Cristian PLETEA, the no.2 seeds (11-8, 13-11, 5-11, 13-11). Earlier at the semi-final stage, LEVENKO and PLETEA had beaten Japan’s Takeru KASHIWA and Yu KAYAMA, the no.10 seeds, (4-11, 11-5, 13-11, 6-11, 12-10); whilst rather more comfortably JORGIC and POLANSKY had overcame the Romanian partnership of Alexandru MANOLE and Rares SIPOS (11-7, 12-10, 11-6). The no.5 seed Japan’s Kana TAKEUCHI beat Marie MIGOT of France, the no.4 seed in the final, to win the Junior Girls’ Singles event at the 2016 Czech Junior and Cadet Open. It was a hard fought victory, the 16 year old needed the full seven games to secure success (13-15, 11-4, 14-12, 10-12, 5-11, 11-5, 11-2). Earlier, at the quarter-final stage, Kana TAKEUCHI overcame Audrey ZARIF, the no.3 seed (11-7, 11-7, 11-2, 15-13), prior to causing an even bigger upset by overcoming Romania’s Adina DIACONU, the top seed, in the penultimate round (11-7, 11-8, 13-11, 11-6). Marie MIGOT at the quarter-final and semi-final stages needed six games to secure success. In the round of the last eight she beat Serbia’s Izabela LUPULESKU, the no.13 seed (5-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 16-14, 11-9), before reserving her place in the final courtesy of success against Yuko KATO, like Kana TAKEUCHI from Japan and the no.7 seed (11-3, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10). Notably, Yuko Kato was a player in form; in the quarter-final round, she had ousted Romania’s Andreea DRAGOMAN, the no.2 seed, by the very closest of margins in a seven games thriller (8-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 15-13, 11-9). Silver for Marie MIGOT in the Junior Girls’ Singles event, earlier in the day in the Junior Girls’ Doubles competition it had been gold. Partnering compatriot Oceane GUISNEL (the no.3 seeds), the top step of the podium was secured at the final expense of Serbia’s Tijana JOKIC and Dragana VIGNJEVIC the no.14 seed. At the semi-final stage MIGOT and GUISNEL overcame Romania’s Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN, the top seeds. Tijana JOKIC and Dragana VIGNJEVIC in the second round accounted for the French partnership of Leili MOSTAFAVI and Audrey ZARIF, the no.2 seeds (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9), before overcoming Romania’s Andreea CLAPA and Mihaela PLAESU, the no.6 seeds (11-4, 5-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6) to reserve their place in the penultimate round.In the semis they overcame Croatia’s Ema MARN and Andrea PAVLOVIC, the no.8 seeds (7-11, 12-10, 14-12, 5-11, 11-8) to reserve their place in the final.
„The Mozart of table tennis” final symphony
Jan-Ove WALDNER, 50-year-old legend, ends his career tonight in Swedish League, Jan-Ove WALDNER, widely regarded as the greatest table tennis player ever, will end his outstanding career tonight in his hometown Stockholm, playing in the concluding round of the 2015/16 Swedish National League. Former Olympic, World and European champion, 50-year-old legend, will lead the last time Sparvagen Elit which hosts BTK Rekord in the 14th round. Ten years ago WALDNER has retired from the Swedish national team but continued to play in the club’s competitions. He is one of only four players in the history with a Career Grand Slam (World Champion, World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist in singles). Beside him only three Chinese players completed that remarkable accomplishment: LIU Goliang, KONG Linghui and ZHANG Jike. WALDNER won his first of many individual gold medals back in 1989, playing in the World Championships in Dortmund. He took 11 titles in total at the European Championships (1996, Bratislava, Singles event winner) helping Sweden to reach seven top places. The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona was a peak of his career, as he became a champion at the most prestigious sport event. Regarding World Championships, he collected six more gold medals (two individual – 1989 Dortmund and 1997 Manchester; and four in Team Event). „The Mozart of table tennis”, how he was often referred to, won 37 medals in total, counting just three major competitions (WCH, ECH, Olympics). He also has seven titles from Euro Top 12, as well as World Cup gold from 1990 Chiba City.
Neven CEGNAR shared his knowledge in Madeira
, Madeira Table Tennis Association invited Prof. Neven CEGNAR, the ETTU Development Manager to spread his great experience and knowledge in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. One of the keys for the success of Madeira Table Tennis is the focus and priority given to the young players and their approach for the international level of Table Tennis. With such aim it was not hard to find the right person to make that connection and for sure the choice for Professor Neven CEGNAR was the best. In the Rafael Gomes Table Tennis Sport Hall Prof. Neven CEGNAR, despite his big responsibilities in ETTU and in Werner Schlager Academy, was available to presents his accumulated knowledge in 30 years of experience as a coach. “Bases for the training of young talents”, the presentation that was proposed to Professor Neven CEGNAR was focused on the work with young players and the way to make them work correctly to develop their skills on dynamic and inter-disciplinary related form. The group of 30 participant coaches, mostly professionals, received valuable information. With a clear presentation the invited lecturer communicated about the technique details that really can make the difference in the actual Table Tennis international dimension. ,
Neven CEGNAR shared his knowledge in Madeira
, Madeira Table Tennis Association invited Prof. Neven CEGNAR, the ETTU Development Manager to spread his great experience and knowledge in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. One of the keys for the success of Madeira Table Tennis is the focus and priority given to the young players and their approach for the international level of Table Tennis. With such aim it was not hard to find the right person to make that connection and for sure the choice for Professor Neven CEGNAR was the best. In the Rafael Gomes Table Tennis Sport Hall Prof. Neven CEGNAR, despite his big responsibilities in ETTU and in Werner Schlager Academy, was available to presents his accumulated knowledge in 30 years of experience as a coach. “Bases for the training of young talents”, the presentation that was proposed to Professor Neven CEGNAR was focused on the work with young players and the way to make them work correctly to develop their skills on dynamic and inter-disciplinary related form. The group of 30 participant coaches, mostly professionals, received valuable information. With a clear presentation the invited lecturer communicated about the technique details that really can make the difference in the actual Table Tennis international dimension. ,
KRAMER announced his retirement as President of the Netherlands TTA
, Before the end of his re elected period in NTTB, Ronald KRAMER ETTU President, announced his retirement as the President of the Netherlands TTA. This takes effect as of today. “The reason for such action came not because of big internal problems, I hope even the contrary, but just because the combination with my Presidency of ETTU eventually now proves not to work well – time wise. Too often I am missing NTTB meetings and events and although some people wanted me to stay for the rest of my re-elected period, I feel personally most unsatisfied for not being able to give NTTB the attention and time it needs,” stated KRAMER. ETTU President expressed his regrets, but explained his motives.”It is with much regret, that I am stepping down after having started as President half-a-year before the 2011 WCTT in Rotterdam. On the other hand, this decision will also leave me more time and energy for my ETTU/ITTF work.”
KRAMER announced his retirement as President of the Netherlands TTA
, Before the end of his re elected period in NTTB, Ronald KRAMER ETTU President, announced his retirement as the President of the Netherlands TTA. This takes effect as of today. “The reason for such action came not because of big internal problems, I hope even the contrary, but just because the combination with my Presidency of ETTU eventually now proves not to work well – time wise. Too often I am missing NTTB meetings and events and although some people wanted me to stay for the rest of my re-elected period, I feel personally most unsatisfied for not being able to give NTTB the attention and time it needs,” stated KRAMER. ETTU President expressed his regrets, but explained his motives.”It is with much regret, that I am stepping down after having started as President half-a-year before the 2011 WCTT in Rotterdam. On the other hand, this decision will also leave me more time and energy for my ETTU/ITTF work.”
OVTCHAROV gains a lot of confidence for Kuala Lumpur
Actual European champion is very proud that he was able to defend ITTF Euro Top 16 crown, looking forward to Perfect 2016 Team Championship, After small disappointment at the recent 2016 German Open, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV found his best form to retain the title of ITTF Euro Top 16, which was held from February 5th to 7th in Portugal city Gondomar. German believes that it will positively affects his performance at the upcoming Perfect 2016 Team Table Tennis Championships in Kuala Lumpur (February 28th – March 6th). „I am very proud I was able to defend my title at the ITTF Euro Top 16 in Portugal. The victory gives me a lot of confidence for the upcoming World Championship. Yet there is a lot of work waiting for me and I will practice as hard as possible”, stated actual individual European champion, 27 year-old Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. German halted two Portugal players in the last two finals of ITTF Euro Top 16, first Marcos FREITAS in 2015 Baku, and now Joao MONTEIRO in Gondomar, playing six games. Between these two titles he had three more unforgettable moments, one after the other 2015 TTCLM crown with Fakel Gazproma Orenburg, 2015 European Championships gold medal and 3rd place from 2015 World Cup. Gondomar`s title is his third one at the Euro Top 16 (12) cups, after 2012 Villeurbanne (he beat Kirill SKACHKOV in the final) and 2015 Baku. Two years ago in Lausanne he finished third, behind Marcos FREITAS and Michael MAZE. Currently he owns two individual titles – ITTF European Championship and ITTF Euro Top 16, and two bronze medals – Olympic (London 2012) and LIEBHERR World Cup (Halmstad 2015). For example, six times champion of Old Continent Timo BOLL won his second European title when he was 26 year-old, in Belgrade 2007, and his third Euro Top 12 in Copenhagen 2006, in his 25.
