05/21/2013      

Olympic champion and now World champion; surely there can be no higher status but on the Women’s World Ranking List published by the International Table Tennis Federation on Tuesday 21st May 2013, China’s Li Xiaoxia remains in third place.

Following the conclusion of the LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris on Monday 20th May, the top four female players retain the places they occupied on the listings before, in Paris, a ball was hit in anger.

Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen, also from China continue to occupy the respective top two places with Singapore’s Feng Tianwei in fourth spot.

 05/21/2013      

Beaten at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the recently concluded LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris; nevertheless Xu Xin retains his top place on the Men’s World Rankings.

The lists published by the International Table Tennis Federation on Tuesday 21st May 2013, immediately following the Championships, show no changes in the top two places with Ma Long remaining in second spot.

China continues to command the top four places but immediately below Ma Long there is a change in personnel.

 05/20/2013       World Table Tennis Championships

China’s Li Xiaoxia and Zhang Jike alongside the Chinese Taipei duo of Chen Chien-An and Chuang Hung-Chieh were the headline makers as the penultimate day of play, Sunday 19th May 2013, evolved at the LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris.

Li Xiaoxia beat compatriot Liu Shiwen in the final of the Women’s Singles event (11-8,4-11, 11-7, 12-10, 6-11, 13-11), Chen Chien-An and Chuang Hung-Chieh captured the Men’s Doubles crown overcoming China’s Hao Shuai and Ma Lin in the final (9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8); whilst later in the evening Zhang Jike dazzled.

He overcame top seed and compatriot, Xu Xin in four straight games (11-8, 11-2, 11-9, 12-10) at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event.

All gave their views.

 05/17/2013       World Table Tennis Championships

Tension in the air, the efforts of China’s Zhu Yuling followed by those of the Chinese Taipei pairing of Chen Chien-An and Chuang Chih-Yuan kept the crowd in the Palais Omnisport de Paris thoroughly engrossed on the fifth day of play, Friday 17th May 2013, at the LIEBHERR World Championships.

In the fourth round of the Women’s Singles event, Zhu Yuling staved off a spirited challenge by Hong Kong’s Jiang Huajun to secure a six games victory (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 21-19); before Chen Chien-An and Chuang Chih-Yuan joined forces to end the dream of Japan’s Kazuhiro Chan and Kenta Matsudaira (11-13, 10-12, 12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9) after saving one match point in the sixth game.

All three players spoke afterwards.

 05/15/2013       World Table Tennis Championships

Adham Sharara was re-elected President of the International Table Tennis Federation at the Annual General Meeting held on the occasion of the LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris on Wednesday 15th May 2013.

Understandably the local media took a great interest in affair eagerly awaiting the result.

A total of 204 delegates from national associations affiliated to the International Table Tennis Federation voted.

Adham Sharara received 149 votes, Stefano Bosi, the challenger for office polled 53 votes with two being invalid.

 05/15/2013       World Table Tennis Championships

Once again, Liu Guoliang, the Head Coach of the Chinese National Team, was very much in demand by the media.

Similarly China’s Xu Xin and Ding Ning, the players who head the current Men’s and World Rankings respectively were the focus of attention as were local players.

It was success for Adrien Mattenet but both Carole Grundisch and Marie Migot suffered defeats.

 05/15/2013      

Canada’s Adham Sharara was re-elected President of the International Table Tennis Federation at the Annual General Meeting staged on the occasion of the LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris, France on Wednesday 15th May 2013.

He overcame the challenge from European Table Tennis Union President, Italy’s Stefano Bosi, by 149 votes to 53, and assumes office for a further four years to add to the 14 already served.

 05/14/2013       World Table Tennis Championships

Proceedings began in earnest at the LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris on Monday 13th May 2013.

Several players caught the attention of the local media.

Switzerland’s Rahel Aschwanden, Norway’s Eric Berner, Slovenia’s Jan Zibrat in addition to Ryan Jenkins of Wales and Gilles Michely of Luxembourg caught the eyes.

Understandably many eyes focused on France; in particular Emmanuelle Lennon and Marie Migot were prime targets.

 05/12/2013       World Table Tennis Championships

Live coverage on itTV in addition to exposure on the International Table Tennis Federation’s You Tube Channel - Youtube.com/ITTFChannel – the LIEBHERR World Championships, which commence on Monday 13th May 2013, promise to be the most extensively covered of any such tournament.

Players from all four corners of planet earth are present; from those who are just simply delighted by part of the occasion, to those who have ambitions of grandeur.

The Championships reflect the attraction of table tennis and that it is truly a global sport.