by Ian Marshall, Editor
Success for Komet Akbar and David Jacobs in men’s class 10 was as status predicted; they commenced play the top seeds but they were not necessarily the favourites, their 2-1 win in the final against China’s Lian Hao and Mao Shubo was a performance of note. Just under three years ago at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Lian Hao had partnered Ma Lin to gold in men’s team class 9-10.
However, the success gained by Lola Amalia and Ana Widyasari and in women’s class 11; in addition to that achieved by Tatok Hardiyanto and Agus Sutanto men’s class 5 was not to be anticipated. Neither outfit commenced matters amongst the top seeded names.
Impressive performances
In a group organised event Lola Amalia and Ana Widyasari finished ahead of Hong Kong’s Ng Mui Wui and Wong Ka Man, the no.2 seeds; Japan’s Kanami Furukawa and Sayuri Mio, the top seeds, having to settle for third place.
Impressive, it was arguably even more impressive from Tatok Hardiyanto and Agus Sutanto; they recorded a 2-1 final win in opposition to the top seeded Chinese outfit formed by Cao Ningning, Liu Fu and Zhan Dashun. Most notably in the vital third and concluding match of the fixture, Tatok Hardiyanto beat Cao Ningning (11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 6-11, 11-6), the reigning Paralympic Games champion and gold medallist two days earlier in Taichung.
Unexpected winners
Surprise outcomes, it was the same in women’s class 10 and men’s class 6-7; both victories at the expense of top seeded Chinese teams. In the former, a group organised event, Chinese Taipei’s Tian Shiau-Wen and Lin Tzu-Yu finished ahead of Hou Chunxiao, Fan Lei and Zhao Xiaojin; in the latter DPR Korea’s Jon Ju Hyon and Kim Yong Rok recorded a 2-0 win in the title decider when facing Liao Keli and Yan Shuo.
Unexpected silver medals for top seeded Chinese teams and there was a somewhat surprise bronze medal. In men’s team class 4, Guo Xingyuan and Shi Yanping, the leading pair on duty, experienced a 2-1 semi-final defeat at the hands of Thailand’s Wanchai Chaiwut and Niyom Nachai. An impressive win by the Thai pair but it was not to be gold; a 2-0 defeat was the order of the day in the final when facing Korea Republic’s Kim Younggun and Lee Kyeonghun.
Chinese success
Disappointments for China but there was gold. In the men’s events, Feng Panfeng, Zhai Xiang and Zhao Ping combined to win the class 3 title; Peng Weinan and Zhao Shuai emerged the class 8 champions, as did Han Yajie and Zhao Yi Qing in class 9. Meanwhile, in the women’s events, Gu Xiaodan and Zhang Maio combined to win class 4; Huang Wenjuan, Mao Jingdian and Wang Rui joined forces to reserve the class 8 title. Similarly, in class 9, Liu Meng and Xiong Guiyan struck gold.
Notable success for China; on the concluding day of play, there was also success for Korea Republic. Cha So Yong, Joo Youngdae and Park Jincheol justified their top seeded position to win men’s class 1-2; likewise their colleagues Jang Eunbong, Kim Seongok and Lee Kunwoo emerged the class women’s class 6-7 winners.
Play concluded in Taichung, attention now turns to Tokyo, the three day 2019 Japan Para Open commences on Thursday 1st August.
2019 ITTF Asia Para Championships: Entry List
2019 ITTF Asia Para Championships: Draws and Latest Results
