by Ian Marshall, Editor
China occupies the top seeded places in both events; for the boys they select from Liu Yebo, Xu Yingbin, Zeng Beixun and Xiang Peng, for the girls it is Wu Yangchen, Shi Xunyao, Kuai Man and Huang Yingqi.
Most notable names; especially those of Xiang Peng and Shi Xunyao; Xiang Peng is the reigning junior boys’ singles champion, last year Shi Xunyao was the junior girls’ singles runner up at the World Junior Championships, having been the winner in 2016 in Cape Town.
Second spot on the boys’ team listing is India who select from Raegan Alburquerque, Manush Utpalbhai Shah, Deepit Patil and Anukran Jain; for the girls it is the Japanese combination of Miyuu Kihara, Miyu Nagasaki, Haruna Ojio and Fung Wai Chu. Miyuu Kihara is very much a name to note; earlier this year she won the women’s singles title at the 2019 ITTF Challenge Zagreb Open.
Meanwhile, in the group stage of play in the junior boys’ team, Japan, Iran and Korea Republic are the leading outfits. Runner up at last year’s World Junior Championships, Yukiya Uda leads Japan; he is supported by Shunsuke Togami, Kakeru Sone and Horoto Shinosuke. A notable name at the helm, it is the same for Iran; winner recently on the ITTF World Junior Circuit in Hong Kong, Amin Ahmadian leads the line, he joins forces with Mohammed Mousavi Taher, Mahdi Madankan and Ali Akbar Shoari.
Somewhat differently, for Korea Republic the squad comprises players yet to make their mark on the international stage; Jung Seongwon, Kim Woojin, Park Gyunhyeon and Lee Gihun form the selection.
Leading the field on the opening day; in the girls’ team event that honour belongs to Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Lam, Chau Wing Sze, Lee Ka Yee and Fung Wai Chu. Next in line is the Korea Republic with Shin Yubin, the mixed doubles winner alongside Cho Daeseong at the recent ITTF World Tour Czech Open, at the helm. She is supported by Choi Haeeun, Ryu Hanna and Lee Daeson. Chinese Taipei’s Cai Fong-En, Yu Hsiu-Ting, Chen Ting-Chuan and Tsai Yu-Chin complete the top three teams on first day duty.
The top two teams direct to the quarter-finals; in the cadet boys’ team and cadet girls’ team events, the scenario is different, all teams compete in the first stage.
In the boys’ event, China’s Xu Hongrui, Huang Youzheng and Chen Yuanyu head the seeding followed by Japan’s Hayate Suzuki, Rikto Maeda and Sora Matsushima. Likewise in the cadet girls’ team event China tops the order. Chen Yi, Xu Yi and Sun Xiaomeng head the list followed by Korea Republic’s Kim Nayeong, Kim Seongjin and Lee Yeonhui.
All team events conclude on Wednesday 4th September.
