by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Chen Meng, who except for the March rankings has occupied pole position throughout the year, drops to no.3, being one place behind Wang Manyu, also from China, who advances one place.

Next in line, as the previous month, is Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa followed by compatriot Mima Ito; she changes places with China’s Liu Shiwen. Immediately following is the latter’s team mate Chen Xingtong who makes a most notable climb of three places to occupy the no.7 spot. She replaces Japan’s Miu Hirano who drops one place to no.8, being one ahead of Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching. She falls one step and now occupies the no.9 spot.

Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem and China’s Gu Yuting complete the top 12 names. It is a drop of three places for Feng Tianwei, now occupying the no.12 spot. Conversely for Doo Hoi Kem and Gu Yuting it is major progress. Doo Hoi Kem moves from no.13 to no.10, Gu Yuting from no.17 to no.11.

Progress for Gu Yuting but for colleague, Ding Ning, the reigning Olympic and World champion, it is a drop down the order; formerly at no.12, she is now at no.17. Similarly compatriots Sun Yingsha, Chen Ke and Zhang Rui, all descend the list. Sun Yingsha falls from no.11 to no.29, Chen Ke from no.39 to no.51 and Zhang Rui from no.61 to no.78.

Also, moving in a significant downwards direction, Li Jie of the Netherlands drops from no.29 to no.41, Singapore’s Zeng Jian from no.40 to no.60 and Korea’s Choi Hyojoo from no.53 to no.73.

Conversely, Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki and Satsuko Odo both make notable progress. Miyu Nagasaki moves from no.52 to no.38, Satsuko Odo from no.81 to no.62. Likewise, Britt Eerland of the Netherlands advances from no.57 to no.47, DPR Korea’s Kim Song I from bo.69 to no.55 and China’s Mu Zi moves from no.119 to no.82.

Also, in a similar vein, Korea Republic’s Lee Zion advances from no.93 to 83; notably there is progress for Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi and Gui Lin. Bruna Takahashi climbs from no.83 to no.67, Gui Lin from no.118 to no.93.

Monday 2nd July: Latest World Rankings