by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Eduardo Tomoike is a right handed pen-holder; that is not unusual, the unusual fact is that he uses just one side of the racket only. He uses the Hinoki blade with the thick handle, one side reversed smooth rubber the other just simply painted black.
It is the style of his illustrious predecessors, the late Claudio Kano, so tragically killed a few weeks before the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, more recently by and Hugo Hoyama and Cazuo Matsumoto.
In his opening group stage contest, Eduardo Tomoike was beaten by Romania’s Rares Sipos (12-10, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10) but then caused somewhat of an upset by overcoming Korea’s Kim Byunhyeon (11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-8).
“Against Rares I had chances, I had a lead and lost; his services were very good; he won the big points, he was quick with the first attack. I was really pleased with how I played in the second match, my attack was strong; I was able to take the early advantage. Blocking from the backhand side can sometimes be difficult with my style of play but if you time ball early you can gain a big advantage. The Korean was not used to my style of play.” Eduardo Tomoike
A Korean not used to facing the pen-hold grip style executed by Eduardo Tomoike; now that sounds strange! Did they not once have some players who were quite good using that style? The names of Yoo Namkyu, Kim Taeksoo and Ryu Seungmin spring to mind.
Second place and thus progress to the main draw for Eduardo Tomoike; it was the same for Carlos Ishida. He lost to Turkey’s Abdullah Yigenler (12-10, 11-6, 11-3, 4-11, 18-20, 11-4) but recovered to beat Egypt’s Ahmed Elborhamy (11-7, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7).
“Against Abdullah Yigenler, I led 10-6 in the first game and lost, he recovered, I missed the returns of service. You must take your chances, there are no weak players; it’s the World Junior Championships. The second match, I knew it wouldn’t be easy but I was well prepared and tried to make sure I seized the first attack.” Carlos Ishida
Play in the main draw commences on Friday 1st December.
