by Ian Marshall, Editor

Notably both Nicolas Burgos and Guilherme Teodoro, alongside Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko, the no.3 seed, were on duty at the recent Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games; furthermore, all have enjoyed success this year on the ITTF World Junior Circuit.

Guillherme Teodoro won in Paraguay, whilst being a quarter-finalist in both Croatia and Spain. Similarly, Vladimir Sidorenko secured the top step of the podium in Spain, his one and only ITTF World Junior Circuit appearance of the year; also in Spain, Nicolas Burgos progressed to the penultimate round.

Similarly, Chinese Taipei’s Tai Ming-Wei, the no.4 seed, has a title to his credit. A quarter-finalist on home soil, he won in El Salvador.

Equally, Germany’s Kay Stumper, the no.6 seed, reached the semi-final round in Hong Kong; Lev Katsman was a quarter-finalist in both Spain and Italy.

Impressively in Szombathely both Tai Ming-Wei and Kay Stumper will be making no less than their seventh ITTF World Junior Circuit appearance of the year; however, neither can match the Japanese duo of Takeru Kashiwa, the no.5 seed and Aoto Asuzu, the no.8 seed. Each will be on duty for no less than the ninth time.

The top step of the podium still awaits but both have proved most worthy competitors throughout the year. Takeru Kashiwa reached the quarter-final round in Sweden, Poland and Chinese Taipei, whilst being a semi-finalist in Slovakia; Aoto Asazu advanced to the round of the last eight in both Sweden and Belgium.

Play commences with the Junior Boys’ Singles event; an entry of over 140 players, the top 32 names are exempt from the group stage.