by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

In the latter stages Xu Haidong accounted for Japan’s Tonin Ryuzaki (9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9) and Cho Seungmin (11-9, 11-7, 13-11, 12-10), before capturing the title at the final expense of Yu Heyi (13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8).

Recovery

Meanwhile, in the opposite half of the draw, Yu Heyi recovered from a three games to nil deficit to beat Japan’s Yuto Kizukuri (5-11, 7-11, 8-11, 14-12, 11-6, 12-10, 11-5), before emerging successful by the very minimal two point margin against Cho Seungmin in the penultimate round (9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 12-10, 8-11, 8-11, 12-10).

Two hard fought contests for Yu Heyi; it was the same in the final, only this time it was to be defeat; he was beaten in six games by Xu Haidong (13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8).

Runners up spot

The runners up spot for Yu Heyi, it was the same in the Junior Boys’ Doubles event where, in partnership with Yang Shuo defeat was suffered against the DPR Korean pairing of Kim Song Gun and Ham Yu Song (10-12, 4-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7).

Notable performances from Xu Haidong and Yu Heyi; there was also a most noteworthy effort from their colleague, Niu Guankel.

Notable adversary

He beat Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto at the final hurdle, the player who has very much been in the limelight in the past eight months.

In early June in Slovenia he became the youngest ever player to win reach the quarter-final stage of an ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles event; two weeks later he set another record. Aged 12 years and 355 days, he became the youngest ever winner of an ITTF World Tour Under 21 Men’s Singles title when he emerged successful in Tokyo at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Loax Japan Open.

Niu Guankal

Impressively, after overcoming Korea’s Cho Daeseong at the semi-final stage (7-11, 11-5, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6), Niu Guankal accounted Tomokazu Harimoto in a similar manner to secure the title (11-4, 13-15, 11-8, 11-2, 11-7).

Earlier in the opposite half of the draw; at the semi-final stage Niu Guankel had beaten Chinese Taipei’s Tai Ming-Wei in six games (8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 11-8).

Download results

2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Boys’ Team – Stage One
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Boys’ Team – Stage Two
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Boys’ Team – Detailed Results
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Girls’ Team – Stage One
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Girls’ Team – Stage Two
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Junior Girls’ Team – Detailed Results
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Stage One
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Stage Two
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Detailed Results
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Stage One
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Stage Two
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Detailed Results
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Junior Boys’ Singles
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Junior Boys’ Singles
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Junior Boys’ Doubles
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Junior Girls’ Doubles
2016 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Junior Mixed Doubles