by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
They were beaten at the semi-final stage by the champions elect, the Japanese partnership formed by Yatsuyoshi Yagi and Masachika Inoue; a two-nil margin being the end result.
Impressive in the penultimate round, Yatsuyoshi Yagi and Masachika Inoue proved equally impressive in the final; success by the same margin was recorded in opposition to the combination of Korea’s Park Hongkyu and Japan’s Junki Itai.
Likewise in Class 8 it was success for a Japanese pairing contrary to expectations. Hiromi Sato and Takuya Shibasaki overcame colleagues and top seeds, Arufuahirokjazu Takeishi and Yoshimsa Takeda by two matches to one to claim the top prize.
Success for Japan against the odds; however in Class 11, it was the reverse scenario. Takashi Takeda and Ryo Miyauchi experienced a two-nil defeat in the title deciding contest when facing the Hong Kong combination of Wan Wai Lok and Leung Chung Yan.
Defeat in the final for a Japanese pairing, it was the same in Class 4-5, where Toshihiko Oka and Kentaro Doi, experienced a two-one reverse when facing Korea’s Kim Youngun and Park Jaehyeon.
However, runners up spot for Toshihiko Oka and Kentaro Doi was a more than creditable performance; at the semi-final stage, the duo had accounted for the top seeded combination of Germany’s Jörg Didion, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-Hsin and Malaysia’s Asrul Hashim.
Gold for both Japan and Korea in the Men’s Team competitions; it was the same in the Women’s Team events but according to plan, in each instance the top seeds prevailed.
Korea’s Jung Younga, Yoon Jiyu and Lee Migyu combined to win lass 2-5; the Class 6-10 title was secured by Kim Kunhea and Jung Jinmi, whilst Japan’s Maki Ito and Nanako Hazeyama were anointed Class 11 champions.
Play concluded in Pattaya, the next tournament on the Para calendar is the Chile Open in Santiago; the competition days are Thursday 17th November to Saturday 17th November.
2016 Thailand Para Open Championships: Latest results from Pattaya