by Ian Marshall, Editor
In Tottori, at the semi-final stage he beat the host nation’s Kazuki Hamada (11-4, 11-4, 11-8, 11-7), prior to securing the title at the expense of a most familiar adversary. He accounted for Horoto Shinozuke, like Kazuki Hamada from Japan, in six games (9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 11-6).
Notably it was their third meeting in the tournament; the win swaying the balance in favour of Zeng Beixun. In the final of the Boys’ Team event Hiroto Shinozuka had prevailed (11-4, 11-3, 9-11, 14-12), later when they confronted each other in the group stage of the Boys’ Singles competition, the verdict had gone in favour of Zeng Beixun (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8).
The silver medal for Hiroto Shinozuka, after the opening two games of the semi-final against colleague, 11 year old Sora Matsushima, one wondered if the colour may be bronze. He trailed two-nil before recovering to win four in a row (8-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5).
Disappointment for Sora Matsushima but there was success. Partnering Yuma Tanigaki, the Boys’ Doubles title was secured. After accounting for the partnership formed by Poland’s Maciej Kubik and Frenchman Myshaal Sabhi (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8), the duo secured the top prize at the expense of colleagues Hiroto Shinozuka and Kazuki Hamada (11-8, 3-11, 7-11, 11-1, 11-9). Earlier in the penultimate round, Hiroto Shinozuka and Kazuki Hamada had ended the hopes of the European pairing formed by Germany’s Mike Hollo and Belgium’s Adrien Rassenfosse (8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8).
Success for Japan, there was also success for the host nation in the Mixed Doubles event, Yukari Sugasawa in partnership with Russia’s Iulian Chirita secured the title, overcoming the combination of New Zealand’s Nathan Xu and Romania’s Elena Zaharia (11-4, 7-11, 11-9).
Meanwhile, for Zeng Beixun he now joins a most illustrious list of Chinese winners of the event, the most illustrious being the first three: Zhang Jike, Ma Long and Xu Xin. Later, Song Shichao, Song Hongyuan, Yin Hang, Zhou Qihao, Song Xu, Wang Chuqin, Yang Shuo and Niu Guankai secured the title.
