by Ian Marshall, Editor

Direct entries to the last eight; the question is who will join them?

In the Junior Boys’ Team event, Chinese Taipei, India and Japan field impressive outfits.

Li Hsin-Yang leads Chinese Taipei, the winner in July on ITTF World Junior Circuit in Jordan and in early 2017 gold medallist at the Finals in Indore, India. Notably also on duty is Feng Yi-Hsin, the runner up in April in France and Chen Jun-Ting, a semi-finalist in May in Slovakia.

An impressive line-up, as is that fielded by India. Manav Vikash Thakkar, who started the year in the no.1 spot of the Under 18 Boys’ World Ranking, leads the line but has not enjoyed the greatest success on this year’s ITTF World Junior Circuit; the consolation being that in May in Bangkok at the Road to Buenos Aires tournament, he gained his Youth Olympic Games place.

Somewhat conversely, colleague Manush Utpalbhai Shah has enjoyed success on his travels this year; in both Tunisia and Jordan he was the Junior Boys’ Singles runner up.

Success in individual events but if you want someone who keeps cool and focused in the team ethic, look no further than Japan’s unflappable Yuta Tanaka. He was the man who guided Japan to a thrilling semi-final success against Korea Republic at the 2017 World Junior Championships. Furthermore, earlier this year he won the Under 21 Men’s Singles event at the ITTF Challenge Polish Open.

Most certainly a fine effort in Poland and there was also a fine effort from his colleague, Yukiya Uda, also in duty in Myamar; he was a Men’s Singles quarter-finalist.

Meanwhile, the initial phase of the Junior Girls’ Team event, it is very much a task of players proving themselves; Korea Republic, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei start as favourites to secure group first places.

Shin Yubin who reached the semi-final stage of the Under 21 Women’s Singles event in Poland is very much the Korea Republic name to note, whilst for Hong Kong Chau Wing Sze, Wong Chin Yau and Lee Ka Yee are ever more experienced on the international scene.

Earlier this year on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, Chau Wing Sze and Wong Chin Yau were quarter-finalists in Hong Kong; additionally Chau Wing Sze reached the same round in China, as did Wong Chin Yau in Belgium. Lee Ka Yee has not this year reached such heights but in 2017 she won the Cadet Girls’ Singles title at the Swedish Junior and Cadet Open.

However, one player in current good form is Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ting-Ting; on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, recently she won in Jordan; likewise colleague Su Pei-Ling has impressed she was a semi-finalist in Hong Kong.

The main draw will commence on Tuesday 14th August; the final places, of which there are five in each of the Junior Boys’ Team and Junior Girls’ Team events for the forthcoming World Junior Championships, will be decided on Wednesday 15th August.

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Prospectus

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Schedule of Play

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Seeding – Junior Boys’ Team

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Seeding – Junior Girls’ Team

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Seeding – Cadet Boys’ Team

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Seeding – Cadet Girls’ Team

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries – Junior Boys’ Singles

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries – Junior Girls’ Singles

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries – Junior Boys’ Doubles

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries – Junior Girls’ Doubles

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries – Junior Mixed Doubles

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries – Cadet Boys’ Singles

2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries – Cadet Girls’ Singles