Gold medallists the previous week in Ulsan, in Pattaya at the ITTF Thailand Para Open, the host nations Rungroj Thainiyom and Spains Ander Cepas repeated their mens singles success, as in the womens singles did Korea Republics Yoon Jiyu.

Proceedings concluding on Sunday 27th August, a factor 40 tournament, Rungroj Thainiyom secured class 6 gold, Ander Cepas prevailed in class 9, not only to win consecutive titles but also to claim his fourth of the year. In March he won on the Costa Brava, in May in Poland.

Similarly, Yoon Jiyu added to her collection, she gained her third class 3 title of the year. In July she won Taichung. Notably all three names commenced play in Pattaya, the top seeds.

Form maintained; for Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri and Nanako Hazeyama, winners in Ulsan, both came close but not close enough.

Nanako Hazeyama experienced a semi-final defeat at the hands of Hong Kongs Ng Ming Wui, who in turn, was beaten in the final by Turkeys Ebru Acer, the top seed (11-8, 11-8, 11-9).

Bronze the medal colour for Nanako Hazeyama, for Phisit Wangphonphathanasirim the top seed in mens singles class 8, it was silver.

He experienced defeat in the final, losing to Indonesias Banyu Tri Mulyo, the no.3 seed (7-11, 11-9, 4-11, 14-12, 11-6) and penultimate round winner in opposition to Hong Kongs Lam Ka Wai, the no.2 seed (11-9, 11-6, 11-9).

Disappointment for the hosts but there was success for Thailand contrary to status. Wanchai Chaiwut secured the mens singles class 4 title.

After a quarter-final win against Turkeys Abdullah Ozturk, the top seed (11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3), Wanchai Chaiwut accounted for Korea Republics Kim Junggil, the no.3 seed (11-6, 11-8, 12-10) and Indonesias Adyas Astan, the no.4 seed (12-10, 11-9, 11-9) to seal the title

Defeat for Abdullah Ozturk unexpected, it was the same for compatriot, Ali Ozturk, the top seed in mens singles class 5; in the final he was beaten by Japans Toru Nakamoto (11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8).

Otherwise in the mens singles events, the top seeds prevailed, Thailand enjoying notable success.

Additional to Rungroj Thainiyom, Thirayu Chueawong emerged the class 2 winner, Yuttajak Glinbanchuen prevailed in class 3, Charlermpong Punpoo in class 7.

Gold for Chalermpong Punpoo (Photo: Organising Committee)Not to be overshadowed it was gold for Korea Republics Park Jungsoo in class 1, Indonesias Komet Akbar in class 10 and Hungarys Peter Palos in class 11.

Likewise, alongside Ebru Acer, in the womens singles events, Korea Republics Seo Suyeon secured class 1-2 gold as did colleague Moon Sung Keum in class 6, Japans Yuri Tomono in class 8 and Brazils Bruna Alexandre in class 10.

Expected outcomes in the womens singles; however, there were surprises but only minor tremors.

According to current status, the biggest upsets were gained by Korea Republics Kang Oejeong and Chinas Liu Meng, each started play, the third highest rated in their category.

Kang Oejeong emerged the class 5 winner, accounting colleagues Jung Younga, the top seed (11-3, 11-4, 14-12) and Moon Sunghye, the no.2 seed (2-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7). However, both latter stage wins were against players whom Kang Oejeong is well known; owing to familiarity, surprise results can accrue.

Rather differently, in class 9, Liu Meng overcame Brazils Jennyfer Parinos, the no.3 seed, in the final (12-10, 11-2, 10-12, 11-4), the semi-final winner in opposition to Korea Republics Kim Kunhea, the top seed (11-6, 8-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-6).

A shock result, hardly, Liu Meng won gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games!

Similarly, the win recorded by Mexicos Claudia Perez in class 7 was no great upset; she commenced play the no.2 seed. In the final she overcame Hong Kongs Chiu Kan Shan, the top seed (11-8, 2-11, 7-11, 13-11, 11-6).

Impressive form in the womens singles, for Yoon Jiyu, Kang Oejeong, Liu Meng and Bruna Alexandre that form continued later in the proceedings.

Competing in class 10, Kang Oejeong partnered Jung Younga to womens doubles gold, Jang Yeongjin to mixed doubles success.

Likewise, Yoon Jiyu joined forces with Kim Junggil to win mixed doubles class 7, Bruna Alexandre allied with Jennyfer Parinos to claim the top prize in womens doubles class 20. In a similar vein, Liu Meng and Hong Kongs Wong Chi Yin, won class 20.

Success for Hong Kong on the concluding day of play, there was more; in class 22 Wong Ting Ting partnered Ng Mui Wui to womens doubles gold, Yuen King Shing to mixed doubles success.

The win meant Yuen King Shing also departed Pattaya with two titles; later in the day he partnered Hong Kong colleague, Tsoi Ming Fai to victory in mens doubles class 22.

Three titles for Kang Oejeong, it was the same for her male counterparts, Rungroj Thainiyom and Yuttajak Glinbanchuen.

In class 14, Rungroj Thainiyom partnered Kanlaya Chaiwut-Kriabklang to mixed doubles gold, before winning the mens doubles alongside Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri.

At the same time Yuttajak Glinbanchuen partnered Wijittra Jaion to success in mixed doubles class 7, prior to claiming the mens doubles class 8 top prize with Wanchai Chaiwut. The success gave Wanchai Chaiwut two titles.

Two titles for Wanchai Chaiwut, it was the same for Thirayu Chueawong and Ander Cepas.

Thirayu Chueawong allied with Chilchitraryak Bootwansirina to win mixed doubles class 4, Ander Cepas partnered colleague, Jorge Cardona to mens singles class 18 gold.

Meanwhile, in the mens doubles in class 4 it was gold for Korea Republics Jang Yeongjin and Kim Hakjin, in womens doubles it was success for Brazils Catia Oliveira and Marliane Santos; in class 5, for Hong Kongs Chiu Kan Shan and Wong Yue Ching in class 14.

Most certainly a worthwhile experience for Jang Yeongjin and Kim Hakjin, it was the same for their colleagues. In the mixed doubles, Jang Yeongjin and Jung Youga won class 10, Kim Hyeonggwon and Kim Kunhea prevailed in class 17.

Play concluded in Pattaya, attention now turns to Tokyo, the four-day ITTF Para Japan Open, a factor 40 tournament for World ranking, commences on Wednesday 30^th August.