by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

One day earlier, Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ting-Ting, the no.12 seed, had caused a major upset by beating Qian Tianyi, the no.2 seed (11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8).

The effect was that with Shi Xunyao, the reigning World Junior champion and top seed, being in the same half of the draw as Liu Weishan, the no.5 seed; a place in the final for China was guaranteed but it would be no all Chinese affair as had been anticipated.

A player from foreign shores awaited; the name was that of Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki, the no.4 seed. At the semi-final stage she accounted for Chen Ting-Ting in four straight games (11-3, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3) but found Liu Weishan in imposing form.

Successful against Shi Xunyao in four straight games (13-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9); Liu Weishan retained her form in the final. She overcame Miyu Nagasaki in five games (7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4) to reserve the top step of the medal podium.

Defeat for Japan in the Junior Girls’ Singles gold medal engagement but not in the Junior Girls’ Doubles title deciding contest, an event in which Miyu Nagasaki enjoyed better fortunes. She partnered Miyuu Kihara to gold, the pair somewhat upsetting the odds. The no.2 seeds, at the final hurdle, they beat Qian Tianyi and Shi Xunyao, the top seeds (11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7).

Earlier in the day, at the semi-final stage, Miyuu Kihara and Miyu Nagasaki had beaten Chinese Taipei’s, Chen Ting-Ting and Su Pei-Ling, the no.4 seeds (11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 12-10); Qian Tianyi and Shi Xunyao had overcome Japan’s Yumeno Soma and Kana Takeuchi (11-7, 11-5, 11-5).