by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
A three-nil win was recorded in the final in opposition to Asia with Yukiya Uda setting Asia on the road to victory; he beat Yin Tianyue ( 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8), before Cho Daesong accounted for Song Zhuoheng (11-8, 11-6, 11-8) and Yanapong Panagitgun overcame Gao Shentong to end matters (11-5, 11-5, 5-11, 9-11, 11-2).
Success in some style; at the semi-final stage against Europe, it was a much more testing affair against the outfit for whom Belgium’s Marc Closset was the coach.
He is a man with a most creditable record at the ITTF World Cadet Challenge; in 2014 in Barbados he guided the European Girls’ Team to gold, last year in Sharm El-Sheik he mentored the European Boys’ Team to the top prize.
In Shanghai, once again he proved a motivating force but this time the outcome was not to be the one he desired.
Yukiya Uda proved the mainstay of Asian success; he beat both Carlo Rossi (11-5, 3-11, 12-10, 11-9) and Vladimir Sidorenko (6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-2) with the one further Asian success being recorded in the third match, the contest which proved the vital duel. Yanapong Panagitgun beat Maciej Kolodziejczyk by the very narrowest of margins (9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 14-16, 12-10).
“It was an unbelievable match. At one-one, Kolodziejczyk was playing so well in the third math, he was two-one and 6-2 down but came back to 10-8 in the fifth game; Panagitgun came back to win. In the fourth match, Sidorenko against Yukiya Uda, it was tough as Uda was in a better position with a two-one lead. I think if it had been two-one for us Sidorenko would have had a chance.” Marc Closset after Europe lost to Asia
The one win for Europe was recorded by Vladimir Sidorenko; in the opening match of the engagement, he recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Cho Daeseong (9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7).
“We tried our best and to be confident when we played Team Europe. We knew they were strong and powerful. In today’s match we faced some difficulties. So we had to find their weaknesses” Yanapong Panagitgun after the win for Asia against Europe
Immense disappointment for Europe but history was laid to rest; they beat North America by three matches to nil to reserve third place.
Carlo Rossi overcame Vitor Liu (11-4, 11-5, 11-8), before Vladimir Sidorenko defeated Sharon Alguetti (13-11, 11-8, 11-6) and Csaba Andras concluded matters with victory over Edward Ly in a hard fought five games contest (11-2, 11-5, 10-12, 7-11, 13-11).
“Asia is very strong but our team fought hard, it was very close. It’s not easy to play the bronze next, they are tired mentally and physically and they are very disappointed about the defeat. Now I have to cheer up their team spirit so they can be back to fight for bronze.” Marc Closset looking ahead to facing North America
The team events concluded, play resumes of Thursday 27th October after the Cultural Day has given all a time to recuperate.
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Schedule of Play
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Boys’ Teams and Girls’ Teams
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Boys’ Team – First Stage Results
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Girls’ Team – First Stage Results
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Boys’ Team – Main Draw
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Girls’ Team – Main Draw