by Ian Marshall
Defeat for Maxime Thomas means that it is the same outcome as five years ago in the Brazilian east coast city; on that occasion he also lost to Abdullah Ozturk in the penultimate round (10-12, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8).
Later he overcame Nesim Turan, also from Turkey to claim bronze (11-4, 11-9, 11-4).
Disappointment for Nesim Turan in Rio de Janeiro, in Tokyo it was the same; in the counterpart semi-final, he was beaten by Korea Republic’s Kim Younggun (9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-2). However, in Tokyo there is the consolation that both losing semi-finalists gain bronze medals.
“It was a very difficult match for me, but I think my form is good; my aim is once again to win gold as I did in Rio.” Abdullah Ozturk.
The final is scheduled for Monday 30th August.
Mixed fortunes for Turkey, for Great Britain, as play commenced on the fourth morning of play, it was disappointment after disappointment.
Three players on duty at the quarter-final stage in men’s singles class 8, all experienced defeat.
Reigning World champion, Ross Wilson, was beaten by Ukraine’s Maksym Nikolenko (11-9, 9-11, 15-13, 11-7); Billy Shilton lost to China’s Zhao Shuai (11-9, 11-8, 14-12), Aaron McKibbin experienced defeat at the hands of Viktor Didukh, like Maksym Nikolenko from Ukraine (8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 13-11).
Meanwhile, in the one remaining men’s singles class 8 quarter-final contest, China’s Peng Weinan overcame Frenchman, Thomas Bouvais (11-7, 13-11, 11-9).
At the semi-final stage Viktor Didukh plays Peng Weinan, Maksym Nikolenko opposes Zhao Shuai; the matches will be played later today at 1.40 pm (local time)
