Table Tennis World Cadet Challenge Team Events
European Boys Overcome Asian Title Holders
At the second day of the ITTF World Cadet Challenge, being
held in Cape Town, South Africa, the team events of the boys
and girls came to an end with an exciting boys’ final
and a clear result in the girls’ final.
The European team beat Asia in spite of a fantastic performance
by the 14 year old Chinese SONG Hongyuan. Europe’s victory
was thanks to a better balanced team and a transformation
of Christoph SCHMIDL. The 15 year old German started rather
insecure but played with a lot of self confidence after winning
the second game against Japanese Taiyo NOMURA.
"I was ridiculously nervous at the beginning because
it is a world final and when the score is 2-2, all eyes are
focussed on you", SCHMIDL said after the final.
Asian Girls Irresistible
The multinational team from Asia won the first gold medal
to be decided at the World Cadet Challenge, the continental
tournament for girls and boys under 16. The girls from Hong
Kong, India, Korea and Thailand overcame title holders Japan
unexpectedly easily. They won 3-0.
LEE Ho Ching from Hong Kong was delighted after her team
mate Suthasinee SAWETTABUT from Thailand won the vital point.
"It turned out to be easier than we expected", she
said. "Before the final, I have had doubtful moments."
The score was an impressive answer after losing the World
Cadet final in Serbia 2006 against Japan
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"Source:
ITTF Press Release