by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Notably on the ITTF World Junior Circuit Boys’ Standings, the top 15 names have all completed the mandatory appearance in two continents in order to qualify for the Finals; a total of 16 places available but not all the elite names will be on the Luxembourg list.

Each of the six continents – Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, Oceania – is eligible to be represented, as is the host nation; amongst those top names, there is no player from Africa, Oceania or Luxembourg.

India’s Manav Vikash Thakkar (4,655 points) continues to lead the Boys’ Standings ahead of Frenchman Bastian Rembert (3,430 points), Russia’s Artur Abusev (3,110 points) and Kanak Jha of the United States (2,950 points). Next in line is Argentina’s Francisco Sanchi (2,895 points) followed by Chinese Taipei’s Feng Yi-Hsin (2,706 points).

One place below Rares Sipos at no.8 is Russia’s Denis Ivonin (2,130 points). Sharon Alguetti of the United States (2,090 points) and Austria’s Maciek Kolodziejczyk (2,078 points) complete the top ten names; India’s Manush Utbalbai Shah at no.11 (2,020 points). All can anticipate invitations to Luxembourg.

Meanwhile on the ITTF World Junior Circuit Girls’ Standings, Japan’s Maki Shiomi is a million miles clear of the field (5,200 points). Four titles this year, having won in the Czech Republic, Sweden, Spain and more recently in India, it is one the very best records ever witnessed in the history of the ITTF World Junior Circuit.

Immediately following Maki Shiomi is India’s Selena Selvakumar (2,542 points); she is ahead of Serbia’s Sabina Surjan who, having won in Hungary, climbs from no.21 to no.3 (2,536 points) but like China’s Liu Weishan (2,380 points), Japan’s Yuka Minagawa (2,450 points) and Croatia’s Sun Jiayi (2,200 points) she has only competed in one continent. No member of the trio can qualify for Luxembourg.

However, alongside Maki Shiomi and Selena Selvakumar, respective colleagues, Miyu Nagasaki (2,450 points) and Archana Girish Kamath (1,817 points) can anticipate invitations to the Finals, as can Hong Kong’s Wong Chin Yau (2,419 points) and Chau Wing Sze (1,802 points).

Similarly, Romania’s Adina Diaconu (2,230 points), Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ting-Ting (2,191 points) and Su Pei-Ling (1,964 points), alongside Amy Wang of the United States (2,040 points) and Belgium’s Lisa Lung (1,886 points) are all names that are scheduled to receive Luxembourg invitations. Also, Thailand’s Jinnipa Sawettabut (1,548 points), whose name appears on the Portugal entry list can anticipate an early February flight to the Grand Duchy.

2017 ITTF World Junior Circuit: Boys’ Standings (Monday 13th November)

2017 ITTF World Junior Circuit: Girls’ Standings (Monday 13th November)