by Ian Marshall, Editor

In Class 7, China’s Yan Shuo, the top seed, very much set the example, he concluded his initial stage itinerary by overcoming one of the most celebrated names in Para table tennis; he beat German’s Jochen Wollmert, gold medallist at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games. Yan Shuo prevailed in four games (11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8).

Likewise, there was success for the reigning Paralympic Games gold medallist, Great Britain’s Will Bayley; he overcame Frenchman Stéphane Messi (11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9). Meanwhile, further down the order, Russia’s Mykhaylo Popov, the no.3 seed concluded his first phase contests by beating Brazil’s Isreal Stroh (11-6, 11-9, 11-5); Egypt’s Ahmed Sayed Mohamed, the no.4 seed, defeated Frenchman Kevin Dourbecker (11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8), whilst Jean-Paul Montanus of the Netherlands, the no.6 seed, prevailed in opposition to Slovenia’s Luka Trtnik (11-6, 11-4, 11-2), having earlier in the day beaten Spain’s Jordi Morales (11-8, 11-5, 11-2).

“I’m feeling happy because I won three-nil against Jordi Morales; so far, the tournament has been good for me.” Jean-Paul Montanus

Success for leading names; there was just one casualty as play advanced in Class 5. China’s Liao Keli, the no.5 seed, was beaten by Japan’s Katsuyoshi Yagi (11-2, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9). Katsuyoshi Yagi duly finished in first place with Liao Keli in second position and thus a main draw place reserved.

One surprise first place; in Class 11 for players with an intellectual disability, five groups in the initial stage, the top names all reserved first positions.

It was top spot for Belgium’s Florian Van Acker and Hungary’s Peter Palos, as it was for Frenchman Lucas Creange, Australia’s Samuel Von Einem and Korea Republic’s Kim Gitae.

Play in the main draw commences on Friday 19th October.

2018 World Para Championships: Results and Draws