Gold medallists the previous week in Ulsan, in Pattaya at the ITTF Thailand Para Open, the host nation’s Rungroj Thainiyom and Spain’s Ander Cepas repeated their men’s singles success, as in the women’s singles did Korea Republic’s Yoon Jiyu.
Proceedings concluding on Sunday 27th August, a factor 40 tournament, Rungroj Thainiyom secured class 6 gold, Ander Cepas prevailed in class 9, not only to win consecutive titles but also to claim his fourth of the year. In March he won on the Costa Brava, in May in Poland.
Similarly, Yoon Jiyu added to her collection, she gained her third class 3 title of the year. In July she won Taichung. Notably all three names commenced play in Pattaya, the top seeds.
Form maintained; for Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri and Nanako Hazeyama, winners in Ulsan, both came close but not close enough.
Nanako Hazeyama experienced a semi-final defeat at the hands of Hong Kong’s Ng Ming Wui, who in turn, was beaten in the final by Turkey’s Ebru Acer, the top seed (11-8, 11-8, 11-9).
Bronze the medal colour for Nanako Hazeyama, for Phisit Wangphonphathanasirim the top seed in men’s singles class 8, it was silver.
He experienced defeat in the final, losing to Indonesia’s Banyu Tri Mulyo, the no.3 seed (7-11, 11-9, 4-11, 14-12, 11-6) and penultimate round winner in opposition to Hong Kong’s Lam Ka Wai, the no.2 seed (11-9, 11-6, 11-9).
Disappointment for the hosts but there was success for Thailand contrary to status. Wanchai Chaiwut secured the men’s singles class 4 title.
After a quarter-final win against Turkey’s Abdullah Ozturk, the top seed (11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3), Wanchai Chaiwut accounted for Korea Republic’s Kim Junggil, the no.3 seed (11-6, 11-8, 12-10) and Indonesia’s Adyas Astan, the no.4 seed (12-10, 11-9, 11-9) to seal the title
Defeat for Abdullah Ozturk unexpected, it was the same for compatriot, Ali Ozturk, the top seed in men’s singles class 5; in the final he was beaten by Japan’s Toru Nakamoto (11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8).
Otherwise in the men’s singles events, the top seeds prevailed, Thailand enjoying notable success.
Additional to Rungroj Thainiyom, Thirayu Chueawong emerged the class 2 winner, Yuttajak Glinbanchuen prevailed in class 3, Charlermpong Punpoo in class 7.
Gold for Chalermpong Punpoo (Photo: Organising Committee)Not to be overshadowed it was gold for Korea Republic’s Park Jungsoo in class 1, Indonesia’s Komet Akbar in class 10 and Hungary’s Peter Palos in class 11.
Likewise, alongside Ebru Acer, in the women’s singles events, Korea Republic’s Seo Suyeon secured class 1-2 gold as did colleague Moon Sung Keum in class 6, Japan’s Yuri Tomono in class 8 and Brazil’s Bruna Alexandre in class 10.
Expected outcomes in the women’s singles; however, there were surprises but only minor tremors.
According to current status, the biggest upsets were gained by Korea Republic’s Kang Oejeong and China’s Liu Meng, each started play, the third highest rated in their category.
Kang Oejeong emerged the class 5 winner, accounting colleagues Jung Younga, the top seed (11-3, 11-4, 14-12) and Moon Sunghye, the no.2 seed (2-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7). However, both latter stage wins were against players whom Kang Oejeong is well known; owing to familiarity, surprise results can accrue.
Rather differently, in class 9, Liu Meng overcame Brazil’s Jennyfer Parinos, the no.3 seed, in the final (12-10, 11-2, 10-12, 11-4), the semi-final winner in opposition to Korea Republic’s Kim Kunhea, the top seed (11-6, 8-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-6).
A shock result, hardly, Liu Meng won gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games!
Similarly, the win recorded by Mexico’s Claudia Perez in class 7 was no great upset; she commenced play the no.2 seed. In the final she overcame Hong Kong’s Chiu Kan Shan, the top seed (11-8, 2-11, 7-11, 13-11, 11-6).
Impressive form in the women’s singles, for Yoon Jiyu, Kang Oejeong, Liu Meng and Bruna Alexandre that form continued later in the proceedings.
Competing in class 10, Kang Oejeong partnered Jung Younga to women’s doubles gold, Jang Yeongjin to mixed doubles success.
Likewise, Yoon Jiyu joined forces with Kim Junggil to win mixed doubles class 7, Bruna Alexandre allied with Jennyfer Parinos to claim the top prize in women’s doubles class 20. In a similar vein, Liu Meng and Hong Kong’s Wong Chi Yin, won class 20.
Success for Hong Kong on the concluding day of play, there was more; in class 22 Wong Ting Ting partnered Ng Mui Wui to women’s doubles gold, Yuen King Shing to mixed doubles success.
The win meant Yuen King Shing also departed Pattaya with two titles; later in the day he partnered Hong Kong colleague, Tsoi Ming Fai to victory in men’s doubles class 22.
Three titles for Kang Oejeong, it was the same for her male counterparts, Rungroj Thainiyom and Yuttajak Glinbanchuen.
In class 14, Rungroj Thainiyom partnered Kanlaya Chaiwut-Kriabklang to mixed doubles gold, before winning the men’s doubles alongside Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri.
At the same time Yuttajak Glinbanchuen partnered Wijittra Jaion to success in mixed doubles class 7, prior to claiming the men’s doubles class 8 top prize with Wanchai Chaiwut. The success gave Wanchai Chaiwut two titles.
Two titles for Wanchai Chaiwut, it was the same for Thirayu Chueawong and Ander Cepas.
Thirayu Chueawong allied with Chilchitraryak Bootwansirina to win mixed doubles class 4, Ander Cepas partnered colleague, Jorge Cardona to men’s singles class 18 gold.
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles in class 4 it was gold for Korea Republic’s Jang Yeongjin and Kim Hakjin, in women’s doubles it was success for Brazil’s Catia Oliveira and Marliane Santos; in class 5, for Hong Kong’s Chiu Kan Shan and Wong Yue Ching in class 14.
Most certainly a worthwhile experience for Jang Yeongjin and Kim Hakjin, it was the same for their colleagues. In the mixed doubles, Jang Yeongjin and Jung Youga won class 10, Kim Hyeonggwon and Kim Kunhea prevailed in class 17.
Play concluded in Pattaya, attention now turns to Tokyo, the four-day ITTF Para Japan Open, a factor 40 tournament for World ranking, commences on Wednesday 30th August.
- ITTF Thailand Para Open 2023 – Podium Places
- ITTF Thailand Para Open 2023 – Complete Results
- ITTF Thailand Para Open 2023 – ITTF YouTube Channel
