by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Luxembourg bound; also on duty in Slovenia, Argentina’s Francisco Sanchi alongside the Chinese Taipei duo of Feng Yi-Hsin and Tai Ming-Wei are very much in the running for an invitation to the Grand Duchy.

Tai Ming-Wei, a quarter-finalist in Otocec, makes the most significant progress; he advances from no.32 to no.15 (1,402 points). Less dramatically for Francisco Sanchi and Feng Yi-Hsin it is just one step higher. An earlier than expected departure in round three in Slovenia, Francisco Sanchi now stands at no.2 (2,895 points); Feng Yi-Hsin is at no.4 (2,706 points).

Notably, all four players have completed the minimum requirement of competing in two continents, a criteria needed to qualify for Luxembourg.

It is the same for Kanak Jha who retains his place at the top of the Standings (2,950 points), as it is for Romania’s Cristian Pletea who drops one place to no.7 (1,866 points). Likewise, it is one place lower for Frenchman, Bastian Rembert; he is now at no.3 (2,880 points), for Russia’s Artur Abusev, it is two places down the list. He now appears at no.6 (2,560 points).

Both Bastian Rembert and Artur Abusev have to date only played in Europe; however, both are scheduled to compete at the 2017 Egypt Junior and Cadet Open in Sharm El-Sheikh from Wednesday 11th to Sunday 15th October.

Additional to competing in two continents, no association may be represented by more than two players at the Finals; the host association is allotted one place. 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)