After accounting for the United States top seeded pairing of Kanak Jha and Wu Yue (11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6), they secured the top step of the podium by overcoming Brazil’s Gustavo Tsuboi and Bruna Takahashi, the no.3 seeds (12-10, 15-13, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10). Earlier in the penultimate round, the Brazilians had ousted Puerto Rico’s Brian Afanador and Adriana Diaz, the no.2 seeds (7-11, 13-11, 15-13, 11-9, 11-7).

Gold for Eugene Wang and Zhang Mo meant that tradition was maintained; always when the mixed doubles event has been held at a Pan American Games it has been claimed by a pair from North America.

Canada’s Alex Polisios and Mariann Domonkos won in the inaugural edition in 1979 in San Juan; in 1995 the husband and wife team of Horatio Pintea and Geng Lijuan reserved the top prize. Meanwhile, for the United States, Sean O’Neill partnered Insook Bhushan to success in 1983, before in 1991 repeating the feat in Havana in harness with Diana Gee. Sean O’Neill, twice a winner, it is the same for Insook Bhushan, sandwiched in between in 1987 in Indianapolis she emerged victorious when partnering Khoa Nguyen.

Top seeded pairs reach final

Semi-final defeats for the top two seeded pairs in the mixed doubles event; not in the men’s doubles nor in the women’s doubles competitions.

In the penultimate round of the men’s doubles event, Gustavo Tsuboi and Brazilian colleague, Hugo Calderano, the top seeds, beat Puerto Rico’s Brian Afanador and Daniel Gonzalez, the no.3 seeds (11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 14-12); Argentina’s Gaston Alto and Horacio Cifuentes, the no.2 seeds, ended the hopes of the Dominican Republic’s Emil Santos and Wu Jiaji, the no.11 seeds (11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 12-10, 11-5).

Similarly, in the women’s doubles competition, the United States top seeded combination of Wu Yue and Lily Zhang reserved their place in the final courtesy of success in opposition Zhang Mo and Canadian colleague, Alicia Cote, the no.3 seeds (11-3, 11-6, 8-11, 11-2, 12-10). Not to be overshadowed, Adriana Diaz alongside elder sister Melanie, beat Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi and Jessica Yamada (11-7, 6-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-3, 11-6) to reserve their place at the top table.

Opening round success for leading names

Meanwhile, in the men’s singles event, the leading names required to compete in the opening round, enjoyed success. Kanak Jha of the United States, the no.3 seed, beat Jose You of Honduras, the no.28 seed (11-6, 11-3, 11-6, 11-9), Paraguay’s Marcelo Aguirre, the no.4 seed, ousted Guatemala’s Heber Moscoso (11-4, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2).

Likewise, in the women’s singles event, Wu Yue the no.3 seed, overcame Ecuador’s Mylena Plaza, the no.26 seed (11-7, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9); Lily Zhang of the United States, the no.4 seed, prevailed in opposition to Peru’s Francesca Vargas, the no.28 seed (11-1, 11-4, 11-2, 11-6).

Higher rated stumble

Outcomes as expected but there were defeats for the higher rated player; in the men’s singles event the nation to suffer being Cuba. Andy Pereira, the no.15 seed, was beaten by Eugene Wang, the no.20 seed (10-12, 12-10, 5-11, 7-11, 12-10, 14-12, 11-9), Jorge Campos, the no.16 seed, lost to Wu Jiaji, the no.24 seed (11-4, 4-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8). Success for Wu Jiaji contrary to status, for his doubles partner, Emil Santos, it was the opposite scenario. The no.11 seed, he suffered at the hands of Nikhil Kumar of the United States, the no.18 seed (11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 3-11, 14-12, 11-4).

Also, in the first round of the women’s singles event there were upsets. The Dominican Republic’s Yasiris Ortiz, the no.19 seed, beat Chile’s Daniela Ortega, the no.9 seed (12-10, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 14-12); Cuba’s Idalys Lovat, the no.17 seed, ousted Guatemala’s Mabelyn Enriquez (11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8). Notable wins, it was the same for Venezuela’s Neridee Niño; the no.29 seed, she accounted for Alicia Cote, the no.11 seed (16-14, 9-11, 7-11, 14-12, 11-3, 11-9).

Play continues in the men’s singles and women’s singles events on Wednesday 14th August when the second round and quarter-finals will be completed. The day will conclude with the finals of the men’s doubles and mixed doubles events.

In the Czech Republic, Sakura Yokoi reached the quarter-final stage of the junior girls’ singles event, Kaho Akae advanced one round further; in cadet girls’ singles competition it was bronze for Sakura Yokoi, gold for Kaho Akae.

Later in the month in Sweden, Kako Akae claimed both the junior girls’ singles and cadet girls’ singles titles, in the respective events for Sakura Yokoi it was a semi-final appearance and runners up spot. Two months later they returned to Europe; in France Sakura Yokoi progressed to junior girls’ singles quarter-finals but most significantly she emerged the cadet girls’ singles champion. In both competitions Kaho Akae reached the semi-final round.

A return home for Kaho Akae but for Sakura Yokoi there was a further tournament on the list. In May she travelled to Poland, she excelled, she won both junior and cadet girls’ singles titles.

Top seed

In Hong Hong, Sakura Yokoi is the top seed in the junior girls’ singles event ahead of Kaho Akae; Chinese Taipei’s Yu Hsiu-Ting and Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yee complete the top four names, likewise players who this year have excelled. Yu Hsiu-Ting won the junior girls’ singles title in Australia, at the ITTF Challenge Thailand Open, Lee Ka Yee reached the under 21 women’s singles quarter-finals.

Worthy names on duty, it is the same in the junior boys’ singles competition; Singapore’s Pang Yew En Koen heads the list ahead of Thailand’s Yanapong Panagitgun, Iran’s Amin Ahmadian and Chinese Taipei’s Tai Ming-Wei.

Success on home soil

Impressively, in May, Yanapong Panagitgun won on home soil in Bangkok, a tournament in which the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist, Pang Yew En Koen, reached the semi-final stage. Similarly, Amin Ahmadian impressed at the ITTF Challenge Slovenia Open progressing to the under 21 men’s singles quarter-finals; likewise, on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, Tai Ming-Wei was the runner up in Australia.

In the younger age group events, Japan’s Sora Matsushima heads the cadet boys’ singles seeding ahead of Iran’s Navid Shams; in the counterpart cadet girls’ singles competition Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Yun-En is the top seed followed by Japan’s Miwa Harimoto. All are no strangers to life on the ITTF World Junior Circuit.

Team events commence

Play commences with the team events; Singapore’s Lim Dao Yi, Pang Yew En Koen, Shi Kexun and Josh Chua Shao Han form the junior boys’ top seeded outfit, in the girls’ team event the leading combination is that of Japan’s Sakura Yokoi, Kaho Akae and Haruna Ojio, a player who is no stranger the life on the ITTF World Tour and ITTF Challenge Series tournaments.

Meanwhile, Navid Shams and Hong Kong’s Yu Nok head the cadet boys’ team seeding, the latter’s colleagues Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam and Yenn Ho Ching form the leading cadet girls’ team pairing.

Notably returning to the fray, having been out of action for more than a year is India’s Soumyajit Ghosh, the winner in 2017 in Chile.

“I am very happy to participate in the 2019 ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open. I have heard a lot about the tournament but never had an opportunity. I have heard from friends that it is a good tournament to play and the crowd is very expressive. My expectation from myself is just play my best as I am coming back to the game after a long time absence from the international circuit. Right now I just want to start the matches; then later I can set some targets; this will be my first visit to Africa.” Soumyajit Ghosh

A first for Soumyajit Ghosh but not for his colleague, India’s Mudit Dani will compete once again as will Luxembourg’s Sarah de Nutte.

“The crowd at the ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open was the biggest highlights, the difference between this event and others. Everyone was super energetic. Not only did they support Nigerian players but it seemed like they came to support the game. It was a truly special feeling to play in Lagos. The crowds, their energy, the atmosphere was electric. It is like no other tournament I have played anywhere in the world and this is the feeling shared by many players who I have spoken to.” Mudit Dani

Equally, Mudit Dani had high praise for the organisation.

“It is a very well organised event. The hotel and food are good; the hall is nice and always filled with energetic crowds. The players are well cared for in terms of transport, lounge and security. My experience at the 2018 Nigeria Open was great! The crowd, playing conditions and hospitality were all perfect. Being my first ever senior Challenge event made it even more special. If I had to put it briefly, I hope to be back again this year because it was one of the most memorable weeks of my life.” Mudit Dani.

Similarly, Sarah De Nutte recognized the enthusiasm of the fans.

“The atmosphere in Lagos is great; there are not many tournaments with that many spectators like in Lagos. I think it’s so nice to play there because the crowd is always fun and excited to see some table tennis matches and are always cheering the players, no matter where they are from.” Sarah de Nutte

Looking forward to competing in Lagos, it is the same for Austria’s Robert Gardos; he is the no.4 seed in the men’s singles event behind the host nation’s Quadri Aruna, Belgium’s Cédric Nuytinck and Slovenia’s Bojan Tokic.

“I think the tournament fits into my calendar for the new season’s preparation. I will try to achieve a good result for my ranking in order to qualify for the next Olympic Games in Japan. I have never been to Nigeria before. I am aware it is a Challenge Plus tournament which has always been well organized in the past and there is an exciting atmosphere. I hope to play at a good level and be among the top four in the men’s singles. I was in Egypt for a tournament a long time ago, where I also had a vacation. I have not visited many countries in Africa before. I hope to enjoy every moment in Lagos.” Robert Gardos

It is a similar situation for Germany’s Bastien Steger, the no.8 seed in the men’s singles event, he is looking forward to new Bundesliga campaign.

“I decided to play the Nigeria Open because after this week the German Bundesliga starts and I want to play one competition before we begin; so it fits perfect in my schedule to come to Nigeria. I heard it was very good last year with an amazingly loud crowd. I hope I can play well in the tournament but difficult to say a special target. I really want to go as far as possible. It‘s the first time to play a tournament in Africa. So I‘m excited and hope for some nice days in Lagos.” Bastien Steger

A first visit to Africa, for Frenchman Andrea Landrieu, the men’s singles no.9 seed, it is a return to the continent having previously been present several years ago.

“It’s almost my first senior tournament in Africa so I wan to see how it is to play there. I know that the crowd is really hot. I hope it will be a nice tournament in which to play. I hope it will be a nice atmosphere to play and to compete. I want to reach the quarter-final and that will be a good result for me. It’s the first tournament of the season so it will be hard but I would have practised for three weeks, so I hope I will be well prepared. I played seven years ago the Morocco Open. It’s my first time in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, for Russia’s Yana Noskova, the no.4 seed in the women’s singles event, there is a major goal.

“I have now started my Olympic year, so I will try to play more tournaments for my ranking. Also Nigeria is Challenge Plus tournament where I can amass points. I heard from some Russian players, who had played in Nigeria before that the tournament is nice. it is like all others tournaments with good hotel, good hall and good organization. I will try to show my best. It will be first tournament after a short summer rest. So I hope I will start it good. Also we try to show good result in double event with Polina Mikhailova. I will be visiting Nigeria for the first time and it is really interesting to me to see how things are there.” Yana Noskova

Polina Mikhailova and Yana Noskova occupy the second seeded position in the women’s doubles; Egypt’s Farah Abdel-Aziz and Yousra Helmy reserve top spot.

Under the direction of Massimo Costantini, the ITTF High Performance Manager, the respective boys’ and girls’ head coaches were Liu Jiayi and Jing Jun Hong, both now employed by the Singapore Table Tennis Association.

Jing Jun Hong enjoyed notable success at Commonwealth events, Liu Jiayi is perhaps better known for his many years as the England national coach, guiding the boys’ team to both cadet and junior success at European Youth Championships.

Jordan’s Mohamed Atoum, now based in Oman, alongside Adnan Fwakhergi fulfilled the role of the principal assistant coaches.

“When JJ and Jiayi were appointed as head coaches for the ITTF World Hopes Week and Challenge I thought we were well covered. However, they exceeded our expectations, showing multiple and flexible skills, when either they had to deal with players or coaches. A big applause to them.” Massimo Costantini

Venue for the proceedings was the training hall at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex, the Oman Table Tennis Federation paying attention to every detail, making all most welcome. Notably on the free afternoon a visit was organised to the local Salalah festival, players and coaches being able to savour the culture of the region.

All responded to the efforts made, the coaches being no exception, the seminars in the evening were well-received. Jing Jun Hong commenced matters by addressing the subject of basic techniques, stressing the importance of the service. Later, Malaysia’s Cindy Lim, who had submitted the best on-line coach education presentation, explained the approach adopted by her club, Star Elite Table Tennis, in the development of players from complete beginners to international prospects.

Similarly, local expert, Musallam Salim Ahmed Alawaid addressed the topic of nutrition; his contribution, as with all others prompting a host of questions from thirsty for knowledge coaches.

Coaching and coach education complete, the Challenge tournament, organised in two stages, groups followed by knock-out, witnessed success for Africa; the first time ever in the history of the initiative.

In the boys’ event Nigeria’s Usman Okamlawon finished in first place ahead of Kazakhstan’s Alan Kurmangaliyev, Romania’s Luca Oprea and Nikon Shutov of Belarus.

“Usman Okamlawon displayed unexpected abilities in conducting the matches: footwork, a sense of position, a backhand serve followed by a terrific forehand attack; these are the key things that we like to see in this talent identification programme. We also witnessed other great talents. Daniel Tran of the United States and Alan Kurmangaliyev from Kazakhstan amongst others.” Massimo Costantini

Success for Nigeria, in the girls’ singles competition it was success for their traditional continental rivals. Egypt’s Hana Goda emerged the winner, Romania’s Bianca Mei Rosu concluded play the runner up ahead of Lemonia Gaintantzi of Greece and India’s Sayani Panda.

“In general the quality in both training and competition was really good. Hana Goda from Egypt showed what it means to be a complete player. Winning is never easy but with her strong determination, serve, creativeness in serve and return enabled her to manage against all her peers. Overall, I have witnessed a group of talented kids playing very well, I am sure our paths will cross again in the very near future.” Massimo Costantini

Farewell to Oman but for the Hopes, the journey continues. The coaching team will now evaluate and will select six to eight players to be invited to at least one further training camp. Based on performance and progress throughout the Hopes activities, the 2020 Hopes Team will be selected next year.

Grateful thanks are extended to the Oman Table Tennis Federation, who went beyond the call of duty to prove perfect hosts. Also thanks are extended to equipment partner Butterfly for their continued support, as they are to the head coaches, the assistant coaches and the most important of all, the players.

2019 ITTF Challenge: Full Results