by Ian Marshall, Editor

Equally Byun Seoyoung, notably a defender, enjoyed success in 2017, in particular she won the Cadet Girls’ Singles title at the Czech Junior and Cadet Open; however, for both players it is this year when they have really blossomed.

On the ITTF World Junior Circuit, Kuai Man on home soil in China and when visiting foreign Croatian shores, was both Junior Girls’ Singles semi-finalist and Cadet Girls’ Singles winner. Meanwhile in Oman she was the Cadet Girls’ Singles runner up, before at the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships in Myanmar securing Cadet Girls’ Singles gold.

Notable successes, it is very much the same for Byun Seoyoung; the most notable of all being at the Chinese Taipei Junior and Cadet Open. She won both the Junior Girls’ Singles and Cadet Girls’ Singles competitions.

Furthermore, like Kuai Man she enjoyed success at the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships, she was a vital member of the Korea Republic silver medal winning outfit in the Cadet Girls’ Team event, in addition to later securing Cadet Girls’ Singles bronze. She was beaten by China’s Chen Yi, the player Kuai Man overcame to seal the title.

Kuai Man and Byun Seoyoung join forces in the Cadet Girls’ Team event in Tottori; they line up alongside Singapore’s Zhou Jingyi and Japan’s Haruna Ojio.

On the ITTF World Junior Circuit, Zhou Jingyi has yet to emulate the feats of Kuai Man and Byun Seoyoung but at the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships, only 13 years old, she did advance through the group stage to reserve a main draw place.

Somewhat differently, Haruna Ojio has progressed to the later rounds on the ITTF World Junior Circuit. In Sweden, China and Hong Kong, she reached the Junior Girls’ Singles semi-finals; in addition in the Cadet Girls’ Singles events, she was a semi-finalist in Hong Kong, a quarter-finalist in Sweden.

It is a most impressive Asian quartet; the Girls’ Team event commences the itinerary. They are favourites for gold.