by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The no.3 seed, at the final hurdle she beat compatriot Lee Migyu, the player with whom alongside Seo Suyeon, she had joined forces to secure the bronze medal in Women’s Team Class 1-3 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

A notable win in the final but it was in the two prior rounds where she had caused a stir, ending Chinese hopes. At the quarter-final stage she beat Li Qian (11-8, 11-9, 11-9), in the penultimate round, she ended the hopes of Xu Juan in a monumental contest decided by the minimal two point margin in the deciding fifth game (13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 15-13).

Outstanding successes against players of high pedigree; in Suphan Buri, Xue Juan is the top seed, Li Qian the second seed.

Furthermore, at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, alongside Liu Jing, Xue Juan and Li Qian had won the Women’s Team Class 1-3 title, whilst in addition Xue Juan secured had gold in Women’s Singles Class 3. Also, you can add to the equation that Li Qian is the reigning World champion!

Not bad for a teenager; the reigning Olympic Games gold medallist and World champion both beaten in the same day!

Success for Yoon Jiyu against the odds, in the two remaining wheelchair Women’s Singles events, the outcome was as anticipated; the top seeds beat the second seeds in the title deciding contests to secure the top prizes

Zhou Ying beat Zhang Miao in an all Chinese Class 4 event (8-11, 11-8, 13-15, 11-6, 11-7); likewise in Class 5, Jordan’s Khetam Abuawad overcame Japan’s Kimie Bessho (8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8) to emerge as a worthy champion.

Play in the Men’s Singles events over; attention now turns to the Women’s Team events; play concludes on Saturday 21st October.

2017 Thailand Para Open: Latest Results and Forthcoming Matches