27 Oct 2016

Fifth place was the end result for Latin America earlier in the Boys’ Team event at the 2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Shanghai but within their midst was a player of note; Brazil’s Rafael Torino, suffered just two defeats. He was very much the mainstay.

Once again, on Thursday 27th October he shone; against predictions he secured first place in his group.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

In the Boys’ Team event he was beaten by Korea’s Cho Daeseong (11-5, 11-6, 12-10) in the contest against Asia and by Sharon Alguetti of the United States (11-1, 11-8, 11-5_ when confronting North America.

Three days later he finished in first place in his group, after beating New Caledonia’s Ronan Aubry (11-2, 11-5, 11-6), he caused a major upset by overcoming Maciej Kolodziejczyk, the no.8 seed in three straight games (11-8, 11-9, 12-10). Impressive, the 15 year old duly completed his itinerary of matches with success against Canada’s Edward Ly (11-9, 11-8, 12-14, 11-6) to secure pole position.

Disappointment for Maciej Kolodziejczyk but it was his only defeat; thus second place in the group and progress to the main draw was achieved.

Players finishing in first and second positions in each of the eight groups advance to compete for positions no.1 to no.16; those in third and fourth places, play for positions no.17 to no.32.

Success against expectations for Rafael Torino, it was the same for China’s Song Zhuoheng and Hungary’s Csaba Andras.

Song Zhuoheng accounted for Italy’s Carlo Rossi, the no.5 seed (13-11, 11-2, 11-9); whilst Csaba Andras defeated Victor Liu of the United States, the no.6 seed (11-4, 11-5, 11-6).

“In the first game, my opponent raised an objection about my serving. In the past matches, my serving has been no problem. I don’t know why he raised it. Anyway, I won”, Song Zhuoheng after beating Carlo Rossi

Additionally Song Zhuoheng beat the Dominican Republic’s Mariano Lockward (11-8, 11-8, 11-5) and Congo Brazzaville’s Regis Kiassi (11-8, 11-4, 11-8). Likewise, Csaba Bence overcame Yang Len of the United States (11-4, 11-5, 11-6) and Algeria’s Adelbasset Chaichi (11-5, 11-5, 11-5).

Csaba Andras and Carlo Rossi, with no further defeats against their names, duly completed matters in runners up spots.

Three surprise first places; in the remaining three groups, status prevailed.

Japan’s Yukiya Uda, Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko and Korea’s Cho Daeseong all remained unbeaten to secure first places in their respective groups, as did Thailand’s Yanapong Panagitgun and Sharon Alguetti of the United States.

The first round and quarter-finals of the Junior Boys’ Singles event will be staged on Friday 28th October.

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

2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Boys’ Singles – Groups
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Boys’ Singles – Positions 1-16
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Boys’ Singles – Positions 17-32

2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Girls’ Singles – Groups
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Girls’ Singles – Positions 1-16
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Girls’ Singles – Positions 17-32

2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Boys’ Doubles
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Girls’ Doubles
2016 ITTF World Cadet Challenge: Cadet Mixed Doubles

World Cadet Challenge Csaba Andras Rafael Torino Song Zhuoheng