The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV couldn`t prevent all-Chinese Men`s Singles final on GAC Group ITTF World Tour, Harmony Open in Suzhou. He lost from World`s no. 2 XU Xin 4:1 (13:11, 9:11, 11:7, 11:6, 12:10). However, it was the most su, The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV couldn`t prevent all-Chinese Men`s Singles final on GAC Group ITTF World Tour, Harmony Open in Suzhou. He lost from World`s no. 2 XU Xin 4:1 (13:11, 9:11, 11:7, 11:6, 12:10). However, it was the most successful performance of German player who was quarter finalist in previous two occasions. The Men`s winner was World`s no. 1 MA Long who beat XU in five games. They together won Doubles event, defeating Japanese Kenta MATSUDAIRA and Single`s semi finalist Koki NIWA 3:1 (7:11, 11:4, 11:7, 11:5). MA and XU are the 2011 Mwen’s Doubles World`s champions. In women`s competition the winner was host nation`s CHEN Meng (World`s no. 7) who played against LIU Shiwen (no. 2), the silver medalist of 2013 LIEBHERR World Championships at Paris. After two sets the result was 1:1 but LIU was forced to retire due to shoulder injury. Last year they also played one against another – having exciting seven sets – and CHEN also took the crown. CHEN Meng, like MA Long, managed to won both events. Playing with ZHU Yuling she became the double`s winner too. Their last hurdle was North Korean pair KIM Hye Song and KIM Jong.
OVTCHAROV’s first semis at Suzhou!
In his third consecutive quarter-final on GAC Group ITTF World Tour, Harmony Open in Suzhou, China, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV managed to secure his first semis. Today he had two excellent performances, eliminating first Japanese Seiya KISHIKAWA in five games and, In his third consecutive quarter-final on GAC Group ITTF World Tour, Harmony Open in Suzhou, China, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV managed to secure his first semis. Today he had two excellent performances, eliminating first Japanese Seiya KISHIKAWA in five games and Chinese Taipei`s CHUANG Chih-Yuan in six sets then. The quarter final clash was well copied bronze medal match that they played last summer at London. CHUANG both times had 2:1 lead in sets, but OVTCHAROV twice took three sets in a row to win 4:2 (11:9, 11:13, 15:17, 11:8, 11:8, 11:3). Just couple of weeks after his debut in Chinese Super League, Dima OVTCHAROV plays now his best tournament at Suzhou. His next challenge will be versus World`s no. 2 XU Xin, whilst other semi finalists are World`s no. 1 MA Long and Japanese Koki NIWA who eliminated his countryman and doubles partner Kenta MATSUDAIRA in seven games. Earlier, NIWA surprisingly beat former World champion and three-time individual Olympic silver medallist WANG Hao. He did it in four sets. China has three players among top four in women`s singles: LIU Shiwen – CHENG I-Ching (Chinese Taipei`s), CHEN Meng – WU Yang are the twpo semis. In Men`s doubles final, Kenta MATSUDAIRA and Koki NIWA will try to upset hosts MA Long and XU Xin.
OVTCHAROV among top 16 in China
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV reached round of 16 in the Men’s Singles Event at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour, Harmony Open in China. In Round of 32 he beat LI Hu of Singapore 4:1 (13:11, 9:11, 11:8, 13:11, 11:8). In the same round CHEN Weixing of Austria lost, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV reached round of 16 in the Men’s Singles Event at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour, Harmony Open in China. In Round of 32 he beat LI Hu of Singapore 4:1 (13:11, 9:11, 11:8, 13:11, 11:8). In the same round CHEN Weixing of Austria lost against Seiya KISHIKAWA of Japan 2:4 (11:7, 13:11, 8:11, 7:11, 7:11, 3:11). The winner of the bronze medal at the European Championships in Herning last year, LI Xue of France reached the Round of 32 at the Women’s Singles Event. LI overcame Yuki NONAKA of Japan in first round 2:4 (6:11, 5:11, 5:11, 11:8, 11:6, 7:11), before she suffered defeat by the hands of top seeded LIU Shiwen of China 4:0 (11:7, 11:5, 11:9, 11:7). In the first round Marina MATSUZAWA of Japan overcame Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania 4:1 (11:6, 11:3, 11:8, 10:12, 11:9), Irene IVANCAN of Germany lost against CHOI Moonyoung of Korea in seven games (11:9, 7:11, 11:9, 10:12, 11:5, 7:11, 8:11). Spain’s SHEN Yanfei, the no.4 seed suffered in a six games encounter against Saki TASHIRO of Japan 2:4 (9:11, 11:13, 11:6, 11:7, 19:21, 7:11). In the Men’s Doubles Event Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany in combination with the Chinese star WANG Hao lost Round of 16 match against TANG Peng and WONG Chun Ting of Hong Kong 1:3 (11:13, 11:5, 4:11, 8:11). Irina ERMAKOVA of Russia and Elizabeta SAMARA lost in straight games against KIM Hye Song and KIM Jong of Korea 0:3 (4:11, 2:11, 5:11).
European kids concluded great week in Hungary
Hungary’s Kiskunfelegyhaza hosted Talent Identification Training Camp from 9th to 16th August 2013. Ferenc KARSAI was the head coach. The Austria’s men team coach had help from Attila HALMAI, Viktor VAJDA, György SZILY, István SKUMÁTH and Árpád FODOR . I, Hungary’s Kiskunfelegyhaza hosted Talent Identification Training Camp from 9th to 16th August 2013. Ferenc KARSAI was the head coach. The Austria’s men team coach had help from Attila HALMAI, Viktor VAJDA, György SZILY, István SKUMÁTH and Árpád FODOR . In the camp worked kids from Russia: Anastasiia KOLISH, Anastasiia KOMOVA, Natalia MALININA, Maxim GREBNOV, Maxim KILAREV; Ukraine: Solomiya BRATEYKO, Mariya TOPCHIY, Yuliya KUBSKA, Illya KANUNNULOV, Anton RYABUCHIN, Nikita MALYEYEV, Sergiy MASLYANKA; Belarus: Andrey TERYOKHIN, Nagezhda BOGDANOVA, Ulyana SHEROVA, Margarita BALTUSHITE; Austria: Marko ESSL, Thomas ZILLER, Selina LEITNER, Aron RAMSL. Hungary: Zsófia FEHÉR, Anita DRABANT, Leila IMRE, Bence BALÁZS, Máté SCHMIDT, Máté ÓCSAI, Ezi FARKAS, József VELKEY, Mark SZABÓ, Gábor KOVÁCS, Csaba ANDRÁS, Sebestyén KOVÁCS. “The players worked very hard and I am very happy with their improvement. The accomodation, the practis, the transport …everything went smoothly. Kids went to swimming pool and had music and entertainment program,” said coach Ferenc KARSAI. Sparing partners also helped the project: Domonkos KOVÁCS, Zoltán ZOLTÁN, Zoltán KORPONAI, Daniel KISS and Gergő KREMASICS.
David BECKHAM gives his support to TT athletes
Former England Captain, David BECKHAM, has given his support to the players ready to compete at the 2013 Sainsbury’s School Games in his role as a Sainsbury’s Active Kids Ambassador. BECKHAM, 38, who also holds the record for the most outfield appearances, Former England Captain, David BECKHAM, has given his support to the players ready to compete at the 2013 Sainsbury’s School Games in his role as a Sainsbury’s Active Kids Ambassador. BECKHAM, 38, who also holds the record for the most outfield appearances for England, is helping to raise the profile of the Sainsbury’s School Games, which begins it’s eighth edition in Sheffield this September. The former footballer congratulated all the players taking part in the event, including the South West’s Maria TSAPTSINOS, whom he encouraged to enjoy every minute. BECKHAM said: “Maria should be incredibly proud of being selected to compete in the Sainsbury’s 2013 School Games. To be given the chance to compete in a multi-sport event and experience a major sporting occasion like this is a huge opportunity for these young people.I wish everyone the best of luck and encourage them to enjoy every minute.” TSAPTSINOS, a junior international in her own right, is ready to represent the South West of England once again after competing last year in the Olympic venue, ExCeL. She said: “After taking part in the Sainsbury’s School Games in London last year I’m absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to compete again. I’m looking forward to once again experiencing the camaraderie in the team and want to help England South West repeat last year’s performance. “After being lucky enough to go to the Olympic Games last summer as a spectator I am determined to try and qualify for Rio 2016 and this is the next step on that journey.” Table tennis has been a part of the School Games programme since its inception eight years ago. The event, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, is a major event for the nation’s talented young athletes. This year’s table tennis event will take place at Ponds Forge in Sheffield from September 13-15th. Tickets are available from the official Sainsbury’s School Games website.
Olympians DRINKHALL & PARKER tie the knot
Four-time English National Senior Men’s Champion, Paul DRINKHALL, and twice English National Senior Women’s Champion, Joanna PARKER, married at the Holy Family Church in Addlestone on Friday August 9th with the wedding reception and evening celebration he, Four-time English National Senior Men’s Champion, Paul DRINKHALL, and twice English National Senior Women’s Champion, Joanna PARKER, married at the Holy Family Church in Addlestone on Friday August 9th with the wedding reception and evening celebration held at the Guildford Ramada afterwards for over 100 friends and family. DRINKHALL, 23, and PARKER, 26, met whilst in residence at the Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre at what was then the National Table Tennis Academy some 10 years ago, after moving away from their homes and families to be part of the Elite Academy performance group. Paul’s brother and former National Junior Champion Bryn DRINKHALL was Paul’s best man, with former British League team mates Steve BAILEY and Tim SURREY acting as Ushers for the big day. Joanna’s bridesmaids were her sister Samantha, two cousins Alice and Bethany BOYER, and Paul’s sister Michelle. The newlyweds have taken a break from their hectic training schedules to jet off to the Dominican Republic for two weeks on their Honeymoon on Monday morning. Many other players both past and present from the world of table tennis were also guests at the wedding, including team mates Kelly SIBLEY, Naomi OWEN, Georgina WALKER, David MCBEATH, Matthew WARE, Gavin EVANS, Bradley EVANS, Miles EVANS, Darius KNIGHT and Gavin RUMGAY.
EUROKIDS regional camp in Czech Republic
Czech Republic hosts EUROKIDS regional camp run by Zoran DJOKIC. It is an extension of the Czech national talent identification program… The training started last weekend in Bystrice nad Pernstejnem. Kids from Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany and Czech R, Czech Republic hosts EUROKIDS regional camp run by Zoran DJOKIC. It is an extension of the Czech national talent identification program… The training started last weekend in Bystrice nad Pernstejnem. Kids from Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany and Czech Republic attend the camp. On the list are 26 participants, 13 boys and 13 girls. “There are also and 6 sparing partners. They practice 3 times per day; starting with morning running at 7.30h, first practice is aimed in development of technical elements and physical prepare, second on technical and tactical elements and third on service and return of service. Physical training is quite different comparing the other camps with elements of gymnastic and acrobatics, “ stated DJOKIC. Conditions are excellent, from worm hospitality, to practice hall with 20 tables. They also use of the others facilities of Bystrice sport center as a swimming pool, and other sport objects. Yesterday, TV made reports from EUROKIDS camp, which will be broadcasted at National TV. Head coach DJOKIC from Serbia works in cooperation with Martin LINERT and PYTLÍK Martin (Czeck Republic). Also, in camp works the assistants coaches: Hen ALON (Lithuania), Sergei BUCHATSKYI (Ukraine) and Vít GAYDOŠ, Radek ONDERKA and Libor SVOBODA (Czech Republic).
Players announced for STARTS Women’s World Cup
The 20 players invited to compete in the STARTS 2013 ITTF Women’s World Cup, to be held in Kobe, Japan on 21-23 September 2013, has been revealed by the International Table Tennis Federation. The world’s best female Table Tennis players have b, The 20 players invited to compete in the STARTS 2013 ITTF Women’s World Cup, to be held in Kobe, Japan on 21-23 September 2013, has been revealed by the International Table Tennis Federation. The world’s best female Table Tennis players have battled through qualifications for the past 4 months to gain a ticket into one of the most prestigious table tennis event in the world. Apart from the reigning ITTF World Champion who gains direct qualification, and one wildcard selected by the ITTF, the only way to gain access into this exclusive event is to qualify through the ITTF Continental Cups, with a different quota allocated to each continent based on the ITTF World Ranking. World and Olympic Champion LI Xiaoxia will be the favorite to clinch gold in Kobe, which would complete her career grand slam, achieved by winning the Olympic, World Championships and World Cup titles in a row. Olympic silver medalist and world number 10 Kasumi ISHIKAWA who qualified by finishing 3rd at the Asian Cup will shoulder the local hopes at the ITTF World Cup, held for the first time in Japan: ” I am very glad to participate for STARTS Women’s World Cup which will be held the first time in Japan” stated the 20 year old. “I urge the Japanese public to come to the venue and cheer us on. The more people there will lift my spirits and help me play better.” The other 18 women who have qualified for the Women’s World Cup and will join LI Xiaoxia and Kasumi ISHIKAWA in the land of the rising sun are: ITTF invited: HAN Xing (CGO) African Cup Winner, LIU Shiwen (CHN) Asian Cup Winner, WU Xue (DOM) Latin American Cup Winner, ZHANG Lily (USA) North American Cup Winner, MIAO Miao (AUS) Oceania Cup Winner, SEOK Hajung (KOR) Asian Cup 4th place, JIANG Huajun (HKG) Asian Cup 5th place, FENG Tianwei (SIN) Asian Cup 6th place, YANG Haeun (KOR) Asian Cup 7th place, YU Mengyu (SIN) Asian Cup 8th place, HSING Ariel (USA) North American Cup 2nd place, LI Chunli (NZL) Oceania Cup 2nd place, SILVA Yadira (MEX) Latin American Cup 2nd place, LIU Jia (AUT) Europe (QF WTTC), HU Melek (TUR) Europe (QF WTTC), SHEN Yanfei (ESP) Europe (last 16 WTTC), BILENKO Tetyana (UKR) Europe (last 16 WTTC), Ai FURUHARA (JPN) ITTF Wildcard In the first phase of this three-day event, players that are seeded 9 to 20 compete in four groups of three players. The players finishing in first place in each of the four groups advance to the second phase, where they join the top eight seeded players. In the second phase which also consist of group matches, players finishing in first and second places in each of the four groups progresses to the quarterfinals where the knockout begins until we have the ITTF World Cup Champion.
Former ETTU President Nils BERGSTRÖM passed away
Nils BERGSTRÖM, former President of the European Table Tennis Union and a member of the ITTF President’s Advisory Council, born on 7th March 1930, passed away on Friday 9th August 2013. He was 83 year-old. The funeral will take place in Eskilstuna. In his, Nils BERGSTRÖM, former President of the European Table Tennis Union and a member of the ITTF President’s Advisory Council, born on 7th March 1930, passed away on Friday 9th August 2013. He was 83 year-old. The funeral will take place in Eskilstuna. In his role as a player, he represented Sweden at the World Championships in London in 1948, playing alongside Bengt NICANDER and Tore Palm; he was 18 years old at the time. Later when playing days were long over, he assumed official roles within the European Table Tennis Union and the International Table Tennis Federation. In July 1993 he was appointed Acting President of the European Table Tennis Union following the resignation of Hans Wilhelm GÄB; one year later at the European Championships in Birmingham, he was elected President of the European Table Tennis Union by acclamation. He resigned from his position as President of the European Table Tennis Union in 1997 in order to stand for office as a member of the ITTF Executive Committee; he was duly elected ITTF Vice President at the World Championships in Manchester. During his long and distinguished career in the sport of table tennis he attended well over 40 World Championships since first appearing in 1948 in London.
SAMARA clinched the title at Brazil Open
Top seed in the Women’s Singles Event at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour Brazil Open, Americas Challenge Series, Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania clinched the title in Santos. Hugo CALDERANO secured the title in the Men’s Singles Event. SAMARA overcame Ank, Top seed in the Women’s Singles Event at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour Brazil Open, Americas Challenge Series, Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania clinched the title in Santos. Hugo CALDERANO secured the title in the Men’s Singles Event. SAMARA overcame Ankita DAS of India in the final in six games 4:2 (6:11, 11:4, 14:12, 9:11, 11:9, 17:15). Before this thrilling duel SAMARA beat Manika BATRA of India in straight games 4:0 (11:5, 11:7, 12:10, 11:8). DAS beat Caroline KUMAHARA of Brazil 4:1 (11:9, 11:8, 11:9, 4:11, 11:7). In the final of the Men’s Singles event CALDERANO overcame Gustavo TSUBOI 4:2 (8:11, 11:3, 11:9, 7:11, 11:6, 12:10). Soumyajit GHOSH won the Under 21 Men’s Singles title beating Benjamin BROSSIER of France in a thrilling seven games encounter (8:11, 6:11, 11:7, 11:6, 9:11, 11:7, 11:2), after Manika BATRA had secured the counterpart Under 21 Women’s Singles crown at the final expense of the host nation’s Caroline KUMAHARA (11:5, 9:11, 12:10, 11:5, 11:5).
