by Ian Marshall, Editor

Note the name of their Chinese compatriot Zeng Beixun; this year he has displayed the attributes needed to one day become a player of the very highest order. Furthermore, his achievements exceed all others on duty in the Japanese coastal resort.

All players lose, accepted some less than others, no player in any sport is infallible unless you are Roy of the Rovers from the Beano comic book.

At the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships staged earlier this year in mid-August, in the Cadet Boys’ Team final, Zeng Beixun was beaten in his opening match against Japan by Hiroto Shinozuka. The fixture went the full five match distance; the overall score level at two matches apiece, Zeng Beixun faced Kazuki Hamada. At the vital time he responded, he succeeded, his vital win secured the title for China.

Later, he progressed to win the Cadet Boys’ Singles title; moreover, he upset the odds, he started matters as the no.14 seed.

Success in Myanmar, one month later in September it was success in Belgrade at the Serbia Junior and Cadet Open. Earlier in the year on the ITTF World Junior Circuit in February he had partnered Kuang Li to Cadet Boys’ Team gold in the Czech Republic.

However, in Serbia his efforts far outweighed those of earlier in the year. At the time listed at no.9 on the Under 15 Boys’ World Rankings but not named on the Under 18 list, he won the Junior Boys’ Singles title.

At the final hurdle he accounted for Thailand’s Yanapong Panagitgun, the no.2 seed, having en route most notably beaten Singapore’s Pang Yew En Koen, the top seed and India’s Manush Utpalbhai Shah, the no.3 seed.

The record speaks for itself, note the name of Zeng Beixun, in Tottori he is the player to beat.