At the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games from 17th to 23rd August 32 men and 32 women born between 1996-1999 will fight for 3 gold medals: in men’s singles in women’s singles and in the mixed teams event which consists of one man and one wo At the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games from 17th to 23rd August 32 men and 32 women born between 1996-1999 will fight for 3 gold medals: in men’s singles in women’s singles and in the mixed teams event which consists of one man and one woman who have qualified for the singles event. Top seed in Men’s singles is China’s FAN Zhendong followed by Japan’s Yuto MURAMATSU Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO Korea’s KIM Minhyeok and Taipei’s YANG Heng-Wei. Best seeded European player is David REITSPIES of Czech Republic at position no. 6. One place below is Can AKKUZU of France. The list goes on with seeded no. 8 Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia 9 Kirill GERASSIMENKO of Kazakhstan 10 HUNG Ka Tak of Hong Kong 11 Diogo CHEN of Portugal 12 Patryk ZATOWKA of Poland 13 Adam SZUDI of Hungary 14 Kilian ORT of Germany 15 Padasak TANVIRIYAVECHAKUL of Thailand 16 Elias RANEFUR of Sweden 17 Fermin TENTI of Argentina 18 Brian AFANADOR of Puerto Rico 19 YIN Jing Yuan of Singapore 20 Martin ALLEGRO of Belgium 21 Andreas LEVENKO of Austria 22 Elia SCHMID of Switzerland 23 Abhishek YADAV of India 24 Alejandro TORANZOS of Paraguay 25 Aly GHALLAB of Egypt 26 Abdulrahman AL-NAGGAR of Qatar 27 Krishnateja AVVARI of USA 28 Kerem BEN YAHIA of Tunisia 29 Christ BIENATIKI of Congo 30 Dominic HUANG of Australia 31 Soudes ALASSANI of Togo 32 J T’Anje OHNSON Saint Kittis. In women’s singles event the seeding list stars with DOO Hoi Kem of Hong Kong and it continues with LIU Gaoyang of China 3 Miyu KATO of Japan 4 Lily ZHANG of USA 5 Chantal MANTZ of Germany 6 CHIU Ssu-Hua of Taipei 7 Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia 8 Adina DIACONU of Romania 9 LUO Anqi of Canada 10 Nicole TROSMAN of Israel 11 Tamolwan KHETKHUAN of Thailand 12 Natalia BAJOR of Poland 13 Audrey ZARIF of France 14 Sutirtha MUKHERJEE of India 15 Lisa LUNG of Belgium 16 Kristyna STEFCOVA of Czech Republic 17 Gremlis ARVELO of Venezuela 18 Leila IMRE of Hungary 19 PARK Seri of Korea 20 Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy 21 Maria LORENZOTTI of Uruguay 22 Karoline MISCHEK of Austria 23 YEE Herng Hwee of Singapore 24 Alaa SAAD of Egypt 25 Vy BUI of Australia 26 Sannah LAGSIR of Algeria 27 Chelsea EDGHILL of Guyana 28 Yuliya RYABOVA of Kazakhstan 29 Sophia DONG of New Zealand 30 Regina KIM of Uzbekistan 31 Fatouma Ali SALAH of Djibouti 32 Florence SEERA of Uganda. Mixed teams composition – NOC teams: Australia (Dominic HUANG Vy BUI) Austria (Andreas LEVENKO Karoline MISCHEK) Belgium (Martin ALLEGRO Lisa LUNG) China (FAN Zhendong LIU Gaoyang) Croatia (Tomislav PUCAR Lea RAKOVAC) Czech Republic (David REITSPIES Kristyna STEFCOVA) Egypt (Aly GHALLAB Alaa SAAD) France (Can AKKUZU Audrey ZARIF) Germany (Kilian ORT Chantal MANTZ) Hong Kong (HUNG Ka Tak DOO Hoi Kem) Hungary (Adam SZUDI Leila IMRE) India (Abhishek YADAV Sutirtha MUKHERJEE) Japan (Yuto MURAMATSU Miyu KATO) Kazakhstan (Kirill GERASSIMENKO Yuliya RYABOVA) Korea (KIM Minhyeok PARK Seri) Poland (Patryk ZATOWKA Natalia BAJOR) Singapore (YIN Jing Yuan YEE Herng Hwee) Thailand (Padasak TANVIRIYAVECHAKUL Tamolwan KHETKHUAN) Taipei (YANG Heng-Wei CHIU Ssu-Hua) USA (Krishnateja AVVARI Lily ZHANG). Continental teams: Africa Christ BIENATIKI (CGO) Florence SEERA (UGA) Africa Kerem BEN YAHIA (TUN) Sannah LAGSIR (ALG) Africa Soudes ALASSANI (TOG) Fatouma Ali SALAH (DJI) Asia Abdulrahman AL-NAGGAR (QAT) Regina KIM (UZB) Europe Diogo CHEN (POR) Adina DIACONU (ROU) Europe Elia SCHMID (SUI) Giorgia PICCOLIN (ITA) Europe Elias RANEFUR (SWE) Nicole TROSMAN (ISR) Latin America Alejandro TORANZOS (PAR) Chelsea EDGHILL (GUY) Latin America Fermin TENTI (ARG) Gremlis ARVELO (VEN) Latin America Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) Maria LORENZOTTI (URU). Intercontinental teams: Brian AFANADOR (PUR) LUO Anqi (CAN) T’Anje JOHNSON (SKN) Sophia DONG (NZL).
Wutaishan Gymnasium awaits young TT stars
There are four days remain before the start of the Youth Olympic Games. The 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games will be held in Nanjing China. Day after the opening ceremony the table tennis events for Nanjing 2014 will take place at Wutaishan Gymnasium (bet There are four days remain before the start of the Youth Olympic Games. The 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games will be held in Nanjing China. Day after the opening ceremony the table tennis events for Nanjing 2014 will take place at Wutaishan Gymnasium (between 17 and 23 August 2014). The Youth Olympic Games aim to bring together talented young athletes aged from 15 to 18 from around the world (205 National Olympic Committees participated in Singapore 2010).The Summer Youth Olympic Games feature over 3 500 athletes. The sports programme is based on that of the Olympic Games with 28 sports featured on the summer programme and seven on the winter programme. In addition the programme also includes exciting new disciplines and formats such as 3-on-3 basketball ice hockey skills challenge and mixed gender and mixed National Olympic Committee (NOC) events. In table tennis there are three events in total including men’s singles women’s singles and mixed team. For medals will play 64 athletes in total including 32 male and 32 female. The maximum number of athletes per NOC is one man and one woman. The difference between the ITTF Junior World Championships and the Youth Olympic Games is in the fact that there is no Mixed International Teams events in the ITTF Junior World Championships. In addition the changes has been made since the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. The names of the competition phases have changed. “First Stage” “Consolation Draw” and “Main Draw” are the names used for Nanjing for both the singles and the team event instead of the terms “First Stage” “Second Stage” “Second Stage B” and “Third Stage” used in Singapore. The singles event consists of three phases of which only the first is a round robin group format instead of four stages of which the first three were round robin group formats in Singapore.
Plastic balls Q&A: get ready for changes
From 1 July 2014 all International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) sanctioned and World Title events will be played using plastic composite balls instead of the traditional celluloid ball. The first time the plastic ball will be used in an international c From 1 July 2014 all International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) sanctioned and World Title events will be played using plastic composite balls instead of the traditional celluloid ball. The first time the plastic ball will be used in an international competition will be at the GAC Group 2014 World Tour Belarus Open which will take place from 21 to 24 August 2014. Dr. Torsten KUENETH (Equipment Committee – Member in charge of Ball Approvals) prepared the document which could help you prepare for changes. “Plastic balls – Q&A” is intended to give simple answers to frequently asked questions about the new plastic balls. You can see the document here
ITTF shortlisted for Beyond Sport Award for the 3rd time
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has been shortlisted for the prestigious “Beyond Sport: Sport Federation or Governing Body of the Year” for the third year in a row for its successful Dream Building Program. ITTF’s Deputy The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has been shortlisted for the prestigious “Beyond Sport: Sport Federation or Governing Body of the Year” for the third year in a row for its successful Dream Building Program. ITTF’s Deputy CEO Glenn TEPPER stated: “ITTF Dream Building being shortlisted by the prestigious “Beyond Sport” awards is due recognition of what is in the ITTF DNA CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility-using table tennis as a vehicle for social change. ITTF’s long history of involvement with social projects has recently become more targeted and professionally presented through ITTF Dream Building thanks to the combined efforts of the ITTF Singapore Office ITTF Marketing and ITTF Development. This is sure to continue under ITTF’s new presidency with DTTB having actively supported ITTF’s Development Program since 2006″ The ITTF Dream Building Program is a marketing initiative by the ITTF Marketing Department to raise funds to invest into development junior and para programs across the world. The inaugural ITTF Star Awards held in Dubai in January was one of the key events to raise funds for these vital programs. All of the ITTF’s programs take the below aspects into consideration to ensure a lasting legacy: Systematic activities organized in the frame of a long term development plan which aims to spread table tennis globally in better and sustainable conditions; Creativity to maximise the use of funds in educating our human resources as multi-skilled experts leaving the maximum legacy on each visit to a country; Emphasis on the younger generations and less developed associations; Inclusion as a key word in any possible program project or activity; Social responsibility high on the agenda by creating opportunities for those in need and minority groups; and Establishment of long term partnerships with global organizations local Non-Governmental Organisations and National Associations including UNOSDP Peace and Sport and IPC to name a few. Being shortlisted for the “Beyond Sport: Sport Federation or Governing Body of the Year” is yet another accolade for the efforts of the ITTF Development Programme; a whole host of awards have already been gained through innovative projects. In 2013 the ITTF claimed the SportAccord Spirit of Sport Award. Before that in 2009 the”best International Federation” was presented to the ITTF at the “Peace and Sport Award”; whilst on several occasions the ITTF has been short listed at the “FICTS Sport Movies and TV Awards” gaining a Mention D´Honneur in 2012. In addition to these in 2012 the ITTF Women’s Development Programme was awarded and one year earlier the ITTF won the SportBusiness International “Making the difference” awards. ITTF Development Director Leandro OLVECH added: “It is an honor for us to be shortlisted again for the Beyond Sport Awards I am sure it helps the ITTF sponsors and partners to get more exposure showing what can do sport for the positive social change. This should also encourage the National Associations to establish their own humanitarian projects which is our ultimate aim”
Swedish boy the winner at Guatemala
William APELQVIST is the best cadet boy of the 2014 Guatemala Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Junior Circuit just finished in the city of Guatemala. He beat in the final American player Shivansh KUMAR in five games. Swedish boy was one set down afte William APELQVIST is the best cadet boy of the 2014 Guatemala Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Junior Circuit just finished in the city of Guatemala. He beat in the final American player Shivansh KUMAR in five games. Swedish boy was one set down after first and third game but in fourth one he made a decisive step to the title – 3:2 (9:11 11:6 5:11 11:1 11:8). Cadet Boy`s semi-finals: Oskar DANIELSSON (Sweden) – Shivansh KUMAR (USA) 1:3 (9:11 3:11 11:8 8:11) William APELQVIST (Sweden) – Mudit DANI (India) 3:2 (7:11 11:9 11:8 9:11 11:8). Cadet Boy`s final: William APELQVIST (Sweden) – Shivansh KUMAR (USA) 3:2 (9:11 11:6 5:11 11:1 11:8).
APELQVIST joins the cadets final in Guatemala
Swedish William APELQVIST reached the final on the 2014 Guatemala Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Junior Circuit in the city of Guatemala and he will play for the title against Shivansh KUMAR from USA. Unique European representative in Guatemala S Swedish William APELQVIST reached the final on the 2014 Guatemala Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Junior Circuit in the city of Guatemala and he will play for the title against Shivansh KUMAR from USA. Unique European representative in Guatemala Sweden had more finalist and was the Junior Boy`s double Hannes IWARSSON/Filip KARLSSON who lost in the ultimate chapter from Chilean Juan LAMADRID/Yutaka MATSUBARA Junior Boy`s Singles Round of 16: Johan HESSELGREN (Sweden) – Shivansh KUMAR (USA) 4:3 (4:11 12:10 11:13 6:11 11:5 11:3 11:6) Oskar DANIELSSON (Sweden) – Yutaka MATSUBARA (Chile) 4:3 (11:7 11:7 9:11 11:6 7:11 6:11 11:9) Filip KARLSSON (Sweden) – Hanes IWARSSON (Sweden) 4:0 (11:8 11:4 11:9 11:6). Quarter final: Juan LAMADRID (Chile) – Johan HESSELGREN (Sweden) 4:1 (11:6 14:12 7:11 11:9 11:7) Aaaron WILSON (Trinidad and Tobago) – Oskar DANIELSSON (Sweden) 4:3 (11:13 11:7 11:7 11:8 9:11 6:11 11:3) Livan MARTINEZ (Cuba) – Filip KARLSSON (Sweden) 4:0 (11:4 11:4 11:8 11:9). Junior Girls` Singles quarter final: Anette LUNDH (Sweden) – LI Yu-Jhun (Chinese Taipei) 0:4 (5:11 9:11 9:11 2:11)/ Cadet Boy`s semi-final: Oskar DANIELSSON (Sweden) – Shivansh KUMAR (USA) 1:3 (9:11 3:11 11:8 8:11) William APELQVIST (Sweden) – Mudit DANI (India) 3:2 (7:11 11:9 11:8 9:11 11:8) Junior Boy`s Doubles semi-final: Juan LAMADRID/Yutaka MATSUBARA (Chile) – William APELQVIST/Johan HESSELGREN (Sweden) 3:1 (7:11 11:9 13:11 11:7) Hannes IWARSSON/Filip KARLSSON (Sweden) – Hernando FRANCO/Santiago GONZALEZ (Columbia) 3:1 (11:8 7:11 11:8 11:7). Junior Boy`s Doubles final: Hannes IWARSSON/Filip KARLSSON (Sweden) – Juan LAMADRID/Yutaka MATSUBARA (Chile) 2:3 (9:11 15:13 5:11 11:7 6:11). Junior Girls` Doubles semi-final: HUANG Yu-Chiao/CHEN Ting-Ting (Chinese Taipei) – LI Yu-Jhun/LIANG Yu-Chieh (Chinese Taipei) 3:1 (11:1 7:11 11:8 11:8) HUANG Yu-Wen/YEN Lin-Chen (Chinese Taipei) – Erica AKERLIND/Anette LUNDH (Sweden) 3:0 (11:8 11:3 11:7). Junior Girl`s doubles final: HUANG Yu-Chiao/CHEN Ting-Ting (Chinese Taipei) – HUANG Yu-Wen/YEN Lin-Chen (Chinese Taipei) 3:0 (11:5 11:9 11:7). Cadet Boy`s Doubles semi-final: William APELQVIST/Oskar DANIELSSON (Sweden) – Misael MORALES/Handel SAGUIL (Guatemala) 2:3 (11:7 12:14 8:11 11:7 6:11)…
Colin LANZ defeated in double at Hong Kong
Unique European representative on Nikon 2014 Hong Kong Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Premium Junior Circuit Switzerland`s Colin LANZ finished his participation on that tournament. Playing alongside Egyptian Aly GHALEB he lost from Chinese Taipei` Unique European representative on Nikon 2014 Hong Kong Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Premium Junior Circuit Switzerland`s Colin LANZ finished his participation on that tournament. Playing alongside Egyptian Aly GHALEB he lost from Chinese Taipei`s KWONG Kai Hin LAI Cheuk Yin in Round of 32 – 3:1 (11:3 9:11 11:9 12:10). LANZ was defeated twice in single`s group stage missing the chance to participate in the main draw.
Swede cadets take silver in Guatemala
Swedish Cadet Boy`s Team took the silver medal on the 2014 Guatemala Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Junior Circuit that is playing in Guatemal City. Oskar DANIELSSON and William APELQVIST after semi final 3:0 win against host squad lost from IND/USA (Sh Swedish Cadet Boy`s Team took the silver medal on the 2014 Guatemala Junior & Cadet Open – ITTF Junior Circuit that is playing in Guatemal City. Oskar DANIELSSON and William APELQVIST after semi final 3:0 win against host squad lost from IND/USA (Shivansh KUMAR Mudit DANI) in four games. Several talents from Sweden unique European country which participate in Guatemala will compete in the single`s events. First they will play in double. Junior Boy`s Doubles Round of 16: William APELQVIST/Johan HESSELGREN (Sweden) against Misael MORALES/Josue SOTO (Guatemala) Hannes IWARSSON/Filip KARLSSON are free. Junior Girl`s Doubles quarter final: Erica AKERLIND/Anette LUNDH (Sweden) – Caterine AGUSTIN/Madelyn SALAZAR (Guatemala). Cadet Boy`s Doubles Round of 16: Felix FREDRIKSSON/Alexander PRINTZ (Sweden) – Hernando FRANCO/Santiago GONZALEZ (Columbia) William APELQVIST/ Oskar DANIELSSON (Sweden) are free.
Table tennis goes plastic for future events
From 1 July 2014 all International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) sanctioned and World Title events will be played using plastic composite balls instead of the traditional celluloid ball. There are no rule changes as plastic balls are according to the I From 1 July 2014 all International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) sanctioned and World Title events will be played using plastic composite balls instead of the traditional celluloid ball. There are no rule changes as plastic balls are according to the ITTF’s rules in table tennis competitions since the 1950′s. This also means that table tennis events may still be played with celluloid balls. On the upcoming change the ITTF President Adham SHARARA stated: “Any change in sport usually divides the participants into three groups. The “optimists” who believe the change is for the best; the “pessimists” who believe the change is a disaster; and finally the “indifferent” who just go with the flow.” “Based on my experience the proportion of people in each group changes with time and eventually the majority just goes with the flow. In this case the use of plastic balls was more for necessity rather than by design. The fact is that the supply of the celluloid sheets to make the traditional celluloid balls is dwindling will eventually no longer be available.” The reasons for the change to plastic balls for ITTF sanctioned and World Title events are: • Most countries prefer not to produce celluloid anymore because of high flammability issues. • Celluloid balls are not allowed to be shipped on airplanes due to their flammable nature. This means that if shipped by air special fire-proof containers must be used. The same applies when shipped by land or sea. This is very expensive and not cost effective. • Plastic balls are safer and much more cost effective than celluloid balls to produce. There are currently four manufacturers (3 from China and 1 from Japan) and 21 brands that have their plastic balls approved by the ITTF for use in international competitions. A new manufacturer from Germany will be joining this list soon. The ITTF has kept the levels of specification for the approval of plastic balls as close as possible to the specifications of celluloid balls. Some wider tolerances have been allowed for an 18-months period to ensure best quality. This will ensure that the plastic balls used in competitions will feel similar to celluloid balls reducing disruptions to the players. ITTF Athletes Commission Chairman and table tennis legend Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) stated: “I just started my preparations with the new plastic ball and it will take a little bit of time to adjust to it. In any case I am very exited and looking forward to Belarus Open where we will finally be able to play with the new ball. I am also very happy that my country is hosting the first World Tour event played with plastic balls.” The first time the plastic ball will be used in an international competition will be at the GAC Group 2014 World Tour Belarus Open which will take place from 21 to 24 August 2014. The upcoming Youth Olympic Games will continue to be played with the celluloid ball as this was the ball used at all the qualification events. In order to avoid any confusion and misunderstandings plastic balls and celluloid balls are both legal however the ITTF world title events and ITTF sanctioned events will use exclusively the plastic balls whereas all other events are free to choose the type of ball they wish to use.
Commonwealth: silver and bronze for PITCHFORD
Englishman Liam PITCHFORD reached two medals at 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow: silver in mixed pairs alongside HO Tin-Tin and bronze in single beating Indian Sharat Kamal ACHANTA in six games. England national team collected five medals in total fin Englishman Liam PITCHFORD reached two medals at 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow: silver in mixed pairs alongside HO Tin-Tin and bronze in single beating Indian Sharat Kamal ACHANTA in six games. England national team collected five medals in total finishing on second place behind Singapore which players took ten. Liam PITCHFORD showed excellent play against no.1 seed GAO Ning (world`s no 10) but lost in seven games. Singaporean ZHAN Jian is the new CG champion beating compatriot GAO Ning in five sets. England got all thre medals in mixed pairs. The couple DRINKHALL`s Paul and Joanna won the gold defeating Liam PITCHFORD and HO Tin-Tin in five games. Men`s single semi-final: GAO Ning (Singapore) – Liam PITCHFORD (England) 4:3 (11:8 11:13 14:12 6:11 10:12 11:7 11:6) ZHAN Jian (Singapore) – Sharat Kamal ACHANTA (India) 4:0 (11:6 11:6 11:6 11:8). Bronze medal match: Liam PITCHFORD (England) – Sharat Kamal ACHANTA (India) 4:2 (11:8 11:8 4:11 11:9 6:11 12:10). Golde medal match: ZHAN Jian (Singapore) – GAO Ning (Singapore) 4:1 (11:9 11:2 11:7 6:11 11:7). Women`s double semi-final: FENG Tianwei/YU Mengyu (Singapore) – Joanna DRINKHALL/Kelly SIBLEY (England) 3:0 (11:9 11:9 11:6) LAY Jian Fang/MIAO Miao (Australia) – LUO Anqi/ZHANG Mo (Canada) 3:0 (11:8 11:7 11:7). Bronze medal match: LUO Anqi/ZHANG Mo (Canada) – Joanna DRINKHALL/Kelly SIBLEY (England) 3:2 (6:11 10:12 11:8 14:12 12:10). Gold medal match: FENG Tianwei/YU Mengyu (Singapore) – LAY Jian Fang/MIAO Miao (Australia) 3:1 (11:5 8:11 11:8 11:5). Mixed pairs bronze medal game: ZHAN Jian/FENG Tianwei (Singapore) – Danny REED/Kelley SIBLEY (England) 1:3 (5:11 11:9 11:7 12:10). Gold medal game: Paul DRINKHALL/Joanna DRINKHALL (England) – Liam PITCHFORD/HO Tin-Tin (England) 3:2 (7:11 3:11 11:5 12:10 11:5).
