Second place one year ago in Singapore; one year later in the Chinese city of Huangshi it was the top prize for Ariel Hsing of the United States of America at the Intercontinental Cup.
On the afternoon of Friday 21st September 2012, she beat New Zealand’s Li Chunli (11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8), to arrest the title and in so doing she created a small piece of table tennis history.
She became the first player from the North American continent to win the title and in so doing the full of house of titles was completed.
All Four Continents Not a full house for Ariel Hsing but a full house for the continents.
Now each continent who has competed in the competition has won the event.
In 2009 in Guangzhou it was Australia’s Miao Miao succeeding on behalf of Oceania, one year later in Kuala Lumpur it was Congo Brazzaville’s Yan Feng winning for Africa; whilst in 2011 in Singapore Latin America celebrated.
Wu Xue from the Dominican Republic emerged as the champion.
Experience It was experience that prevailed in Singapore; one year later Ariel Hsing has shown that she now has the experience to overcome experience.
At the recent London 2012 Olympic Games she beat Luxembourg’s 49 year old Ni Xia Lian; now in Huangshi she has beaten 50 year old Li Chunli. Furthermore, in London she was the player to give the champion elect, China’s Li Xiaoxia her sternest test.
She was beaten by the Chinese star in six games, the only player to extract more than one game against the Chinese superstar.
Third Place for Brazil Success and the title for Ariel Hsing; for another rising star it was third place.
Brazil’s Caroline Kumahara, born in 1997 the same year as Ariel Hsing, secured third place by beating Nigeria’ Offiong Edem in five games (11-3, 11-7, 9-11,11-6, 11-8).
Same for Champion One Year Earlier Perhaps the situation which Ariel Hsing faced one year ago in Singapore, is the situation that Caroline Kumahara confronted in Huangshi on the first day of play.
Notably in her opening contest against Li Chunli, she had her chances but could not seize the opportunity; she lost in five games just as she did against Ariel Hsing.
Look Ahead One Year The Brazilian should not be disheartened, quite the opposite; at not stage was she overwhelmed, experience was arguably the reason for her downfall.
One year hence against the same players it could be very interesting, very interesting indeed.
