Last year she was the youngest finalist in German history in doubles alongside Josephina NEUMANN. Now Bavaria’s Koharu ITAGAKI is the youngest gold medalist in the history of the German Championships for men and women. At the age of 14 years and 141 days the Bad Königshofen native won the mixed competition with Daniel RINDERER becoming the youngest winner surpassing Nicole STRUSE and the SOLJA sisters Amelie and Petrissa at their title debuts. Her first comment after the historic success:
“I am speechless.”
The doubles titles went to Annett KAUFMANN/Yuan WAN and Cedric MEISSNER/Ricardo WALTHER.
Women’s Singles: First Title for Kaufmann
“I can’t even realize that I am now the German Champion ” said the 17-year-old European junior champion in all categories who made a strong return to the tournament scene with this title win. Annett KAUFMANN had last played at the Team World Championships in February followed by a longer break due to her final exams.
Men’s Singles: Second Title for DUDA
“This title means even more to me than the first ” explained Benedikt DUDA who won his second national singles title after 2021. In an impressive final he defeated local hero Steffen MENGEL in five sets whom the approximately 2 200 spectators would have loved to see win.
NEUMANN Wins Long-Awaited U15 Title
In the girls’ U15 category Josephina NEUMANN dominated the singles tournament and also won gold in doubles alongside Koharu ITAGAKI.
“I am super happy especially because things didn’t go so well in my age group at the German Championships the last two times ” said the 14-year-old from Okarben who plays for ttc berlin eastside in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
The U15 boys’ singles title went to Jonas RINDERER.
RINDERER Trio is the Most Successful Family: “We Live in the Gym”
With so much success at once things get confusing: The Bavarian RINDERER family won gold in the mixed competition through Daniel gold in U15 mixed through Fabian and U15 gold in singles through Jonas. Jonas also won silver in U15 mixed in a brotherly duel with Fabian while Daniel secured silver in the men’s doubles.
“We live in the gym ” said parents Hans and Petra RINDERER. They have passed their table tennis genes onto their sons with great success.
Positive Balance of the TT Finals Premiere with 7 000 Spectators
The organizers draw an entirely positive conclusion from the first edition of the German Table Tennis Finals: many fans enthusiastic participants and a genuine festival atmosphere.
