by Ian Marshall, Editor
All occupying top seeded positions and clear favourites for gold; on the concluding day of play Kelly Van Zon beat Korea Republic’s Kim Seongok (11-6, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4), before accounting for Turkey’s Kubra Korkut, the no.2 seed (11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5) to seal the title.
A hard fought win at the final hurdle, for Mao Jingdian life was even more testing. After accounting for colleague Li Guiying (11-6, 11-2, 11-7), she needed the full five games to end the hopes of Thu Kamkasomphou of France, the no.3 seed (9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4). Notably, Thu Kamkasomphou was a player in form; at the semi-final she had ousted Norway’s Aida Dahlen, the no.2 seed (11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 13-11).
Testing times for Mao Jingdian, it was not that different for Natalia Partyka; at both the semi-final and final stages she needed four games to secure victory. After beating Australia’s Melissa Tapper, the no.3 seed (12-10, 14-16, 11-9, 11-3), she overcame Denmark’s Sophie Walloe, the no.4 seed (12-10, 11-4, 9-11, 15-13) to reserve the top step of the podium.
Success as seeding anticipated, it was the same in Class 6. Ukraine’s Maryna Lytovechenko, the top seed, emerged the champion; following success in opposition to Germany’s Stephanie Grebe, she beat Russia’s Raisa Chebanika, the no.2 seed (11-7, 11-5, 11-9).
Likewise in Class 11, the top seed prevailed but in Class 9 there was a surprise winner; Korea Republic’s Kim Kunhea struck gold. After overcoming China’s Xiong Guiyan, the top seed (11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7) to book her place in the final, Kim Kunhea recovered from a two games to nil deficit against Poland’s Karolina Pek, the no.2 seed, to claim gold (8-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-5).
A surprise in Class 9, not in Class 11; Russia’s Elena Prokofeeva emerged the winner. The top seed, following success in opposition to Hong Kong’s Ng Mui Wui, at the final hurdle she beat Poland’s Krystyna Lysiak to claim the title; similar to Kim Kunhea recovering from a two games to nil deficit (9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-2).
Play concluded in Lasko-Celje, attention now turns to Almeria; the Spanish Para Open commences on Thursday 15th November.
2018 World Para Championships: Results
