Searching for back-to-back success, no less than 15 players who struck gold in the men’s singles and women’s singles events in New Taipei City, appear on the entry list for the Taichung Para Open.
A factor 40 tournament for World ranking points, play in the four-day tournament commences on Friday 21st July.
In the men’s singles wheelchair categories Korea Republic’s Joo Youngdae (class 1), Baek Youngbok (class 3) and Kim Younggun (class 4) alongside the host’s Cheng Ming-Chih (class 5), all compete in Taichung.
Similarly, in the men’s singles standing categories, five players aim for repeat success, like Cheng Ming-Chih from Chinese Taipei, the names of Su Jian-Sen (class 10) and Chen Po-Yan (class 11) appear on the entry as do those of three European winners in New Taipei City.
Spain’s Alberto Seoane (class 6) is listed, as are Sweden’s Emil Andersson (class 8) and Daniel Gustafsson (class 9).
The search for more gold, in the women’s singles, six winners in New Taipei City ply their skills.
An Mihyeon (class 4) is included in the Korea Republic entry, Alexandra Saint-Pierre (class 5) and Morgen Caillaud (class 6) fly the flag for France as do Lei Li Na (class 9) and Yang Qian (class 10) for Australia.
Not to be overlooked Japan’s Natsuki Wada (class 11) will be aiming to maintain her current form.
Equally, there are those on duty in Taichung who just fell short in New Taipei City.
Denmark’s Peter Rosenmeir and Spain’s Alvaro Valera started play the respective top seeds in men’s singles class 6; bronze was the outcome for Peter Rosenmeier, silver for Alvaro Valera.
Likewise, in men’s singles class 9, both Australia’s Ma Lin and Spain’s Ander Cepas will be seeking better fortunes. In New Taipei City Ander Cepas, the no.3 seed, beat Ma Lin, the top seed in the semi-finals before in the final losing to Sweden’s Daniel Gustafsson.
In a similar vein, in men’s singles class 11, Korea Republic’s Kim Gitae, the reigning World champion, had to settle for bronze.
Notable names making the 96-mile journey south to Taichung; there is one name of high pedigree who is journeying from France, Thomas Bouvais appears on the entry list; he concluded matters the silver medallist in men’s singles class 8 at the Andalucia 2022 World Para Championships.
A total of 112 men and 50 women representing 16 member associations compete in Taichung, play commences with the men’s singles and women’s singles events.
- ITTF Taichung Para Open 2023 – Entries, Draws, Results
- ITTF Taichung Para Open 2023 – ITTF YouTube Channel
