by Ian Marshall, Editor
In the Women’s Singles competitions, China’s Zhou Ying, Zhang Bian and Mao Jingdian defend the titles won in Incheon. All start very much as favourites, they occupy top seeded places. Furthermore, since the success in Korea Republic, Zhang Bian and Mao Jingdian won gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Zhou Ying competes in Class 4, Zhang Bian in Class 5 and Mao Jingdian in Class 8; the same events as in Incheon and Rio de Janeiro.
The situation for Korea Republic’s Lee Migyu, who secured the Class 3 title four years ago and for China’s Wang Rui, who emerged successful in Class 6-7, is somewhat different. Competing this year in Class 1-3, an event with two groups, Lee Migyu does not appear amongst the leading names. China’s Xue Juan, gold medallist in Rio de Janeiro is the top seed, followed by colleague Li Qian.
Somewhat similarly, in action in Class 7, Wang Rui is the no.2 seed; Korea Republic’s Kim Seongok is the name at the head of the order. A test ahead for Wang Rui, it is the same for the Class 11 defending champion, Hong Kong’s Wong Ka Ma; in Jakarta she is the third seed behind the host nation’s Ana Widyasari and colleague Ng Mui Wui.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s Singles events, China’s Feng Panfeng, gold medallist in Rio de Janeiro and colleague Zhou Shuai start the defence of their titles as the top seeds, Feng Panfeng in Class 3, and Zhao Shuai in Class 8. In a similar vein, in search of repeat success Korea Republic’s Kim Youngun is the top seed in Class 4 but his colleague, Park Hongkyu, the Class 6 defending champion, has to settle for the no.2 seeded spot. The top seed is Thailand’s Rungroj Thainiyom.
The one remaining title to be defended is in Class 10 and has particular home interest; Indonesia’s David Jacobs is the no.1 seed; he is very much a name to note as is that of China’s Cao Ningning, four years ago he missed out on a medal in the individual events but with colleagues Zhang Yan and Guo Xingyuan won Men’s Team Class 5.
Two years later he won Men’s Singles Class 5 at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games; in Jakarata he is the top seed.
2018 Asian Para Games: Latest Results and Draws