by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
The one further win for Korea was secured by Cho Seungmin in the opening match of the engagement (11-8, 11-8, 17-15); for China, the successes came in the third and fourth matches when Xu Haidong beat Hwang Minha (11-8, 11-7, 11-8) and Yu Heyi overcame Yang Shuo (11-8, 11-8, 17-15).
Earlier at the semi-final stage both outfits had recorded impressive three-nil wins. No changes to the selection, China had beaten the Japanese trio of Tonin Ryuzaki, Yuto Kizukuri and Ryotaro Ogato; similarly, the Korean trio had defeated the Hong Kong combination of Ng Pak Nam, Kwan Man Ho and Lau Chun Kit.
Convincing performances
A tense Junior Boys’ Team final; the counterpart Junior Girls’ Team title deciding contest was quite the antithesis. China beat Japan by three matches to nil.
Sun Yingsha gave China the ideal start by beating Miu Hirano (11-3, 11-6, 11-5), before He Zhoujia doubled the lead when overcoming Mima Ito (13-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7). Qian Tianyi terminated proceedings by defeating Maki Shiomi (11-5, 13-15, 11-5, 11-7).
Semi-finals
Impressive in the final, Sun Yingsha, He Zhuojia and Qian Tianyi had been equally impressive in the penultimate round; they beat the Korean outfit comprising Kim Jiho, Kang Dayeon and Choi Yelin in a similar manner to that displayed in the title deciding contest.
Meanwhile, in the counterpart semi-final, life had been slightly more testing for Japan; fielding the same outfit as in the final, they recorded a three-one success in opposition to the Hong Kong combination of Minnie Soo Wai Yam, Liu Qi and Mak Tze Wing.
The one win for Hong Kong was recorded in the opening match of the fixture when Minnie Soo Wai Yam emerged victorious in a titanic duel; she beat Miu Hirano in what must be the closest finish of the year to date. She won in five games (11-8, 4-11, 11-3, 9-11, 19-17).
Same fate
Runners up spot for Japan in the Junior Girls’ Team event; in the Cadet Girls’ Team competition it was the same fate.
Miyuu Kihara and Yuka Minagawa experienced a three-nil defeat in the final when facing China’s Yuan Yuan and Shi Xunyao.
Gold for Japan
Disappointment but not in the Cadet Boys’ Team event; the top step of the podium was secured at the expense of Korea. The outfit comprising Tomokazu Harimoto, Yukiya Uda and Shunsuke Togami recorded a three-nil win against Korea’s Cho Daesong and Woo Hyeonggyu to claim the top prize.
Play continues in Bangkok with the individual events; matters conclude on Wednesday 21st September.
Download results
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Boys’ Team – Stage One
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Boys’ Team – Stage Two
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Boys’ Team – Detailed Results
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Girls’ Team – Stage One
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Girls’ Team – Stage Two
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Girls’ Team – Detailed Results
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Stage One
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Stage Two
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Detailed Results
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Stage One
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Stage Two
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Detailed Results