by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
Notably, in both listings, Chinese players occupy the top four places.
Next in line to Yu Heyi is Xu Haidong (2,760 points), followed by Xiang Peng (2,300 points) and Xu Yingbin (1,936 points). Impressively Xu Haidong won in Italy, Xiang Peng was the runner up in Thailand, as for Xu Yingbin he is the master of the penultimate round; he departed proceedings in the semi-final stage in the Czech Republic, France and Thailand.
Similarly, on the Girls’ Standings, Zhang Binyue (2,700 points), the player with the perfect record is in second place. She has made two appearances so far this year and on both occasions, she has emerged successful; she won in both Oman and France. Qian Tianyi (2,480 points), the winner in Italy, is in third place with Shi Xunyao (2,160 points), completing the top four names. Shi Xunyao won in the Czech Republic.
The major challenge to China on the Boys’ Standings emanates from Iran; Amin Ahmadian is in fifth position (1,850 points) ahead of China’s Yuan Licen (1,860 points), Sweden’s Truls Moregard (1,700 points) and Kuang Li, also from China (1,640 points). Thailand’s Yanapong Panagitgun (1,435 points) and Japan’s Kakeru Sone (1,400 points) complete the top ten names.
Amin Ahmadian won in Tunisia, Yuan Licen in Oman, Truls Moregard on home soil in Sweden; more recently Kuang Li succeeded in Thailand. The best for Yanapong Panagitgun and Kakeru Sone is second place; Yanapong Panagitgun was the runner up Paraguay, Kakeru Sone a silver medallist in the Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, on the Girls’ Standings, Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz is in fifth spot (1,925 points). The runner up in both Sweden and France she is ahead of Lucie Gauthier of France (1,922 points), Japan’s Yukari Sugasawa (1,840 points) and Serbia’s Sabina Surjan (1,442 points). The top ten positions are completed by Japan’s Yumeno Soma (1,370 points) and Prithika Pavade of France (1,332 points).
Notably, Yukaro Sugasawa emerged successful in Belgium; Sabina Surjan won in Tunisia, whilst Yumeno Soma prevailed in Sweden. The best for Lucie Gauthier, who has competed in no less than five ITTF World Junior Circuit tournaments this year, is runners up spot in Belgium; for Prithika Pavade, likewise, she was the recent runner up in Spain.
A place at the end of term finals is the ultimate goal; it should be noted that a maximum of two boys and two girls per national association are eligible. The host nation is eligible for one place in each discipline; to qualify a player must have competed in two continents.
