Present in force on home soil in Pattaya, now Thailand’s leading men are scheduled to be on duty at the forthcoming ITTF Para Japan Open, a factor 40 tournament for World ranking points, play commences on Wednesday 30th August and concludes on Saturday 2nd September.
Furthermore, they are in good form. Wanchai Chaiwut (class 4) emerged successful at the recent tournaments in Ulsan and Pattaya, as did Rungroj Thainiyom (class 6); their aim is three in a row.
Just one step down the ladder, Thirayu Chueawong (2), Yuttajak Glinbanchuen (class 3) and Charlermpong Punpoo (class 5) aim for two in succession; all won in Pattaya. Not to be left out is their colleague, Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri (class 8), he clinched gold in Ulsan, silver on home soil.
Consecutive wins the target, it is the same in the men’s singles for Korea Republic’s Park Jungsoo (class 1) and Japan’s Toru Nakamoto (class 5); both won in Thailand.
Three the number in the men’s singles, in the counterpart women’s event it is one more.
Australia’s Lei Li Na (class 9) and Yang Qian (class 10) have made four appearances this year; in New Taipei City, Taichung and Ulsan, it was always been the top prize.
Notably on each occasion Lei Li Na has completed the clean sweep and Yang Qian would have done the same but for her colleague. Nathan Pellissier and Lei Li Na beat Lennard Properjohn and Yang Qian in the Ulsan class 17 mixed doubles final.
Both Nathan Pellissier and Lennard Properjohn compete in Tokyo, as does their Australian teammate, Ma Lin (class 9), the London 2012 Paralympic Games gold medallist and winner in June in Taichung.
Strong representation in the women’s singles from Australia, it is the same from China.
Mao Jingdian (class 8) is very much the star name, gold medallist at the three most recent Paralympic Games, earlier this year in May, she won in Montenegro.
Also, the name of colleague, Xue Juan (class 3), gold medallist at the Rio and Tokyo Paralympic Games, appears on the entry list; likewise, she is aiming to add to this year’s tally of title. In May she succeeded in Slovenia.
A total of 88 men and 54 women compete in Tokyo, men’s singles and women’s singles events commence proceedings.
