by Ian Marshall, Editor

At the final hurdle he beat Singapore’s Izaac Quek Yong (11-7, 11-7, 11-7), after in the later rounds having ousted Russia’s Aleksei Samokhin (11-7, 11-2, 11-6) and Sweden’s Isak Alfredsson (11-5, 11-7, 11-9).

Most certainly he impressed Per Hällström, the Press Officer on duty in Örebro.

“Two days ago he reached the semi-final of the junior boys’ singles event. He was beaten by Truls Moregard, the winner. Yesterday he played in the Safir elite class and lost to the former Swedish international top player, Jens Lundqvist; with these results he was the big favourite to win the mini cadet boys and of course he did. All his matches ended in straight games! He is just 141 centimetres short, he will grow in height and as he grows he will improve every day.” Per Hällström

Success for Sora Matsushima in the mini-cadet boys’ singles event; there was also success in the cadet boys’ singles competition for the young man who is both devoted and determined.

“I started playing table tennis when I was two years old and the last years, I’ve been practising for around four to five hours, six or seven days a week.” Sora Matsushima.

The no.2 seed, in his opening contest, he accounted for Sweden’s Alve Sjoevold in three straight games (11-6, 11-8, 11-7).

It was yet another impressive performance; it was also the same from the other leading names in the cadet boys’ singles event as the quest for honours began. Germany’s Mike Hollo, the top seed, beat Sweden’s Charlie Calsson (14-12, 11-4, 11-4), Australia’s Finn Luu, the no.3 seed, accounted for Singapore’s Danon Soh (11-8,, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4). Not to be outdone, Russia’s Vladislav Makarov, the no.4 seed, ended the hopes of England’s Naphong Boonyaprapa (11-6, 14-12, 11-9).

Play in Örebro concludes on Sunday 24th February.