by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Similarly, there is progress for Japan’s Satsuki Odo, Thailand’s Jinnipa Sawettabut and Wen Rue-Ling, also from Chinese Taipei.

Beaten by Wen Ruei-Ling in the round of the last eight in Slovenia, Satsuki Odo progresses one position to no.14 (1,712 points), Wen Rue-Ling who departed one round later, makes a most significant move, she is now at no.19 (1,406 points) having been at no.40. Meanwhile, Jinnipa Sawettabut, who also suffered at the hands of Wen Rue-Ling, losing in the second round, is now at no.18 (1,436 points). Formerly she was listed at no.23.

Pertinently, all have competed in two continents and have thus met the basic criteria necessary to qualify for the Grand Finals.

Likewise, not present in Slovenia, Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki who retains her no.2 spot (2,450 points) has met the requirement, as has Romania’s Adina Diaconu who stands in the no.5 position alongside Yuka Minagawa (2,300 points), also from Japan.

However, Yuka Minagawa has only competed in Europe and has not entered either the forthcoming ITTF World Junior Circuit tournaments in Egypt or India; thus she will not qualify to compete in Luxembourg. It is the exactly the same for Croatia’s Sun Jiayi, the winner in Slovenia, who moves from no.25 no.7 (2,200 points); she will not meet the continental criteria.

Conversely, colleague Maki Shiomi who maintains her top spot (4,000 points) looks destined to be one of the 16 players to receive an invitation to the European principality. To date, like Yuka Minagawa, she has only played in Europe but notably her name appears on the India Junior and Cadet Open entry list, the tournament commencing in Greater Noida in late October.

The fact that Maki Shiomi is set to meet the two continent criteria and Miyu Nagasaki has already met the requirement puts the possible invitation of Satusuki Odo to the Finals at risk. In addition to competing in two continents, no association may be represented by more than two players in Luxembourg.

Also, the host association is allotted one place and each continent is eligible for at least one representative (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and Oceania). The best three results in each continent are taken into account when the Standings are calculated.

2017 ITTF World Junior Circuit: Boys’ Standings (Monday 2nd October)

2017 ITTF World Junior Circuit: Girls’ Standings (Monday 2nd October)