by Ian Marshall, Editor
The one remaining berth stands in abeyance. Notably, at the moment there is no reservation for Japan.
Asia is eligible for three places in each of the boys’ team and girls’ team events at the 2019 World Junior Championships. The one further place will be decided following the conclusion of the individual events.
In each of the boys’ singles and girls’ singles events, third place will be awarded to the losing semi-final team whose highest listed player, according to the August under 18 world rankings, progresses the furthest in the respective boys’ singles and girls’ singles events. Should the outcome be equal, the leading players departing at the same stage, the finish of the second ranked player from each team and so on is the criteria.
China dominant
Selecting Xiang Peng, Xu Yingbin and Liu Yebo, following a 3-0 quarter-final win opposition to Singapore’s Pang Yew En Koen, Dominic Koh Song Jun and Josh Chua Shao Han; China secured their place in the boys’ team final courtesy of success by the same margin in opposition to the Chinese Taipei outfit formed by Feng Yi-Hsin, Tai Ming-Wei and Li Hsin.
Convincing by China, it was rather different for India. Selecting Raegan Alburquerque, Manush Utpalbhai Shah and Anukram Jain, a 3-1 quarter-final win was claimed against Thailand’s Yanapong Panagitgun, Wattanachai Samranvong and Thyme Sanglertsilpachai, before with no changes to the line-up, a full distance success being the outcome in opposition to Korea Republic’s Park Gyuhyeon, Kim Woojin, and Lee Gihun.
Hero of the hour for India was Raegan Alburquerque; in the vital fifth match of the engagement, he accounted for Park Gyuhyeon (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6); the win coming after Kim Woojin had beaten both Raegan Alburquerque (11-6, 11-5, 12-10) and Manush Utpalbhai Shah (11-9, 11-8, 13-11).
A most worthy success, the Korea Republic outfit was in form; at the quarter-final stage they had ousted the Japanese combination of Yukiya Uda, Hiroto Shinozuka and Kakeru Sone. A 3-2 victory margin was the order of the day.
China, an imposing force, it was the same in the junior girls’ team event. Selecting Shi Xunyao, Wu Yangchen and Kuai Man, a 3-0 win quarter-final round win was recorded against Iran’s Shima Safaei, Melika Karami and Kimia Rostami, prior to a 3-1 success being the outcome when, at the semi-final stage, opposing the Korea Republic selection of Choi Haeeun, Shin Yubin and Lee Daeun.
Japan and DPR Korea
Impressive, at the quarter-final stage it was the same in the opposite half of the draw. DPR Korea represented by Kim Kum Yong, Pyon Song Gyong and Kim Un Song recorded a 3-0 win against Chinese Taipei’s Yu Hsiu-Ting, Tsai Yu-Chin and Chien Tung-Chuan. Likewise, Japan with Kyoka Idesawa, Miyu Nagasaki and Haruna Ojio in action, they secured the same margin of success in opposition to the Indian formation of Prapti Sen, Anusha Kutumbale and Swastika Ghosh.
However, with Haruna Ojio replacing Kyoka Idesawa, when the two outfits met in the penultimate round it was a gruelling affair; in a contest lasting four hours and 10 minutes, DRK Korea eventually succeeded in a full distance five match duel.
Star of the show was Kim Kum Yong. In the opening match of the engagement she beat Miyuu Kihara in five games (9-11, 11-2, 12-10, 9-11, 14-12), before in the concluding engagement, overcoming Miyu Nagasaki in four games (11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 12-10). Notably in the second match of the fixture Miyu Nagasaki had beaten Pyon Song Gyong in a titanic contest that had seemingly turned the tide in favour of Japan (12-14, 16-14, 11-7, 8-11, 17-15).
Cadet events
Similarly, in both the cadet boys’ team and cadet girls’ team events, China remained very much on course for gold at the close of play.
Represented by Chen Yuanyu, Xu Hongrui and Huang Yuzheng, a place in the boys’ team final was secured in style. A 3-0 success was posted in opposition to Iran’s Navid Shams and Mohammad Amin Samadi, followed by the same margin of victory when facing Hong Kong’s Baldwin Chan Ho Wah and Yui Kwan To.
In the final, Chinese Taipei awaits; the duo comprising Chang Yu-An and Kao Cheng-Jui recorded a 3-1 win against Singapore’s Daniel Ng and Izaac Quek Yong, before emerging successful in a hard fought full distance semi-final contest against the Korean Republic trio formed by Jang Seongil, Lim Yunoh and Gil Minseok.
Similarly, in the cadet girls’ team event there was no stopping China. A direct entry to the semi-final round, Chen Yi and Xu Yi secured a 3-1 against Japanese contingent of Kaho Akae, Miwa Harimoto and Sakura Yokoi to reserve their place in the final. In the final, they meet Korea Republic’s Kim Nayeong, Kim Seongjin and Lee Yeonhui; in the penultimate round, the trio clinched a 3-1 win against Singapore’s Ser Lin Qian and Zhou Jingyi.
The finals of all team events will be held on Wednesday 4th September.
