10/27/2009 2009 ITTF Cadet Challenge & ITTF Junior Circuit Finals

What is it about the ITTF Cadet Challenge that makes it a favorite of ITTF staff, coaches, officials, parents and players? The brainchild of Mikael Andersson, many thought the logistics of this event would be its downfall but here we are in 2009 with those involved having a stronger passion for its continuation and with evolving new directions making it even stronger. So what makes this event special?

 10/25/2009 2009 ITTF Cadet Challenge & ITTF Junior Circuit Finals

Japan’s Jin Ueda is the winner of the 2009 ITTF Junior Circuit Finals Boys’ Singles event. The top seeded Japanese rising star saved one match point in the sixth game before defeating the Egyptian fighter Omar Assar.

Ueda was 1-3 down in games but played more aggressively in the last three games. The strategy paid off and Ueda eventually won 11-8 in the decider.

 10/25/2009 2009 ITTF Cadet Challenge & ITTF Junior Circuit Finals

2008 runner up Misaki Morizono secured what she missed last year. The 17 year old Japanese overcame Germany’s Kathrin Mühlbach in five games 11-7, 11-5, 12-10, 9-11 and 11-5.

While the top seeded Asian was expected to be in the final, the German is one of the positive surprises at these Junior Circuit Finals. Morizono will receive US$3,800 prize money for the title won on home soil.

 10/25/2009 2009 ITTF Cadet Challenge & ITTF Junior Circuit Finals

Yin Hang versus Koki Niwa was the dream final. Under 15 World number one against the number three, China against Japan. For most of the table tennis experts the Japanese is the much more talented player but Niwa squandered the win.

However, the Japanese failed to decide the match he had dominated in the beginning. One match point in the fifth and a 9-7 lead in the sixth game were not enough. The Chinese became stronger and the Japanese suffered a bitter defeat.

 10/25/2009 2009 ITTF Cadet Challenge & ITTF Junior Circuit Finals

Korea’s Under 15 world no.1 Yang Ha Eun won the Cadet Girls’ Singles event. The 15 year old overcame Japan’s defending champion Ayuka Tanioka in four straight games 11-2, 11-8, 12-10 and 11-4.

The most critical moment for Yang was in the third game, when she was 8-6 ahead but lost the next four points after the Japanese coach took the "Time Out". However, the Korean proved to have the skills of a champion.

 10/25/2009 2009 ITTF Cadet Challenge & ITTF Junior Circuit Finals

Asuka Machi and Koki Niwa won the Cadet Doubles final in the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Left-hander Niwa and right-hander Machi overcame the Asian players Chiu Chung Hei of Hong Kong with his Chinese partner Yin Hang.

The Girls’ final was an inner-Japanese affair. Miyu Maeda and Yui Sato prevailed with three games to one against Rika Suzuki and Ayuka Tanioka.

 10/25/2009 2009 ITTF Cadet Challenge & ITTF Junior Circuit Finals

The semi-final encounter between local hero Koki Niwa and Frenchman Simon ended in favour of the Japanese. On Gauzy’s 15th birthday, Niwa, 15 days older, prevailed in six games.

Koki Niwa could write another chapter in the history of Junior table tennis. Never before has a player won the Junior Circuit Finals and the Cadet Challenge Singles events. Victorious last year as a Junior, he is given the chance to win the Cadet Challenge this year.