by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Impressively, Yan Shuo secured the Class 7 title beating colleague Liao Keli, the no.2 seed, in the final (13-11, 6-11, 11-5, 16-14), having one round earlier, accounted for Hong Kong’s Chen Silu (11-3, 11-9, 11-1).

Likewise, 22 year old Zhao Shuai imposed his authority on affairs in Class 8; in the penultimate round he ousted Japan’s Aruuahirokazu Tateishi (11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-4), before in the title deciding contest beating compatriot, Ye Chaqun, the no.2 seed (8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7).

“I was very nervous before the final, my opponent is my team mate and we know each other very well. I am young and lack experience but I think in the semi-final and final I played to the best of my ability.” Zhao Shuai

Success without the need for a deciding fifth game; it was the same from Lian Hao in Class 10 but not for Zhao Yiqing in Class 9.

Lian Hao overcame Kong Weijie, also from China, at the semi-final stage (7-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-3), prior to securing the title at the final expense of Thailand’s Bunpot Sillapakong (11-5, 11-7, 11-8).

“Today was not very difficult for me because I have taken part in quite a lot of competitions before; I was able to dominate the final; I’m pleased with my form.”Lian Hao

Similarly, in his semi-final contest, Zhao Yiqing experienced few problems, he beat Japan’s Nouyuki Suzuki in three straight games (11-1, 13-11, 11-4); however, in the final, he experienced a much sterner test. He needed the full five games to overcome Koyo Iwabuchi, the no.2 seed, staving off a most spirited challenge from the Japanese 22 year old (11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5).

Titles for China, in the one remaining Men’s Singles standing class, as in Class 11 for players with learning disabilities, there was success for Korea.

A place in the final booked the previous day, Park Hongkyu beat the host nation’s Huang Jiaxin (15-13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9) to claim the Class 6 title; Kim Gitae, after ending the hopes of colleague, Son Byeongjun (14-12, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11), ended the hopes of Japan’s Takeshi Takemori (12-10, 11-9, 11-5) to secure the Class 11 crown.

The individual events over, attention now turns to the team competitions; two days remain, play concludes on Wednesday 30th August.

2017 Asian Para Championships: Future Matches and Results