On the concluding day of play, after accounting for Hong Kong’s Chelsea Chan Shiu Lau, the no.8 seed (11-7, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4), she overcame colleagues in most exacting encounters; in the penultimate round she beat Cai Fong-En, the no.2 seed, in six games (11-5, 7-11, 12-10, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7), prior to securing the title in a seven games contest, when facing Chien Tung-Chuan, the top seed (6-11, 11-13, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6).

In the opposite half of the draw, on the concluding day of play, Chien Tung-Chuan had halted Hong Kong’s aspirations. She accounted for Wong Hoi Tung (13-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7), followed by success in opposition to Yenn Ho Ching, the no.9 seed (11-7, 11-5, 11-7, 13-11). Notably, in the round of the last eight, Yenn Ho Ching had beaten the host nation’s Michelle Wu, the no.4 seed (11-6, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5).

Defeat for Hong Kong, not in the cadet girls’ singles event; all three steps of the medal podium were reserved. Phoebe Hui Wai, the top seed, emerged the winner. After overcoming Canada’s Patricia Hui, the no.11 seed (9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3) she accounted for colleagues Wong Hoi Ching, the no.7 seed (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) and Chelsea Chan Shoi Lam (11-8, 11-5, 11-9) to secure the title.

Impressive from Phoebe Hui Wai, it had been the same in the opposite half of the draw from Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam. In the quarter-final round she beat Australia’s Chan Yin Ting (11-6, 11-8, 11-3), followed by a semi-final success in opposition to compatriot, Yenn Ho Ching, the no.2 seed (12-10, 11-4, 11-6).

The ITTF World Junior Circuit tournament concluded, attention in Darwin now turns to the Para Oceania Championships.

The no.4 seed, at the final hurdle he needed the full seven games to beat colleague, Tai Ming-Wei, the top seed and winner last year in El Salvador, emerging successful by the very narrowest of margins (11-4, 7-11, 11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9).

Hard fought success, it had been very much the same en route to the title deciding contest. At the quarter-final stage he needed six games to overcome Malaysia’s Wong Qi Shen, the no.12 seed (5-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7, 15-13), before in a similarly exacting engagement accounting for colleague Li Hsin-Yu, the no.9 seed (11-13, 11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 13-11, 11-8). Notably Li Hsin-Yu was very much a player in form; one round earlier he had halted the progress of Hong Kong’s Pau Yik Man, the no.2 seed (11-4, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9).

In the opposite half of the draw, in the later rounds, Tai Ming-Wei had ended the hopes of Hong Kong by accounting for Lau Chun Nok, the no.14 seed (11-4, 11-2, 11-3) and Baldwin Chan Ho Wah, the no.11 (11-5, 11-9, 3-11, 11-8, 11-6).

Disappointment for Hong Kong, conversely in the cadet boys’ singles event it was success. Yiu Kwan To, the top seed, emerged the winner, overcoming colleague Yu Nok, the no.3 seed, in the final (11-4, 11-8, 11-4).

Earlier, at the quarter-final stage, Yiu Kwan To had beaten Lau Chu Nok, the no.9 seed (11-4, 11-2, 11-3), followed by success in opposition to Malaysia’s Tan Yi Heng, the no.7 seed (11-6, 11-3, 11-8) and surprise quarter-final winner against Baldwin Chan Ho Wah, the no.4 seed (5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9).

Meanwhile, in the later rounds, Yu Nok had thwarted Australian hopes; he accounted for Richard Li (11-5, 11-5, 11-2), followed by success in opposition to Finn Luu, the no.2 seed (11-6, 11-6, 11-7).

The ITTF World Junior Circuit tournament in Darwin concluded, attention in northern Australian city now turns to the Para Oceania Championships.

Serbian quartet upsets the odds

The lowest rated players in their respective opening phase groups, the host nation’s Dimitrije Levajac, Stefan Kostadinovic and Marko Popovic alongside Nikola Strugarevic all caused upsets in their opening matches.

Dimitrije Levajac beat Slovenia’s Tilen Cvetko (13-11, 13-111, 12-10), Stefan Kostadinovic overcame Croatia’s Tomislav Kolarek (12-10, 7-11, 13-11, 11-9). Likewise Marko Popovic accounted for India’s Mudit Dani (11-2, 11-8, 11-5); Nikola Strugarevic eventually proved too strong for Kazakhstan’s Timur Kelbuganov (11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8).

Fine start for host nation

The host nation’s Sabina Surjan and Tijana Jokic both made successful starts to their campaigns.

Sabina Surjan beat Slovakia’s Ema Labosova (11-4, 11-3, 11-6), Tijana Jokic accounted for Kazakhstan’s Zauresh Akasheva (5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Lev Katsman maintains form

Elevated to second spot on the under 18 boys’ world rankings, the winner earlier this year on the ITTF World Junior Circuit in Bahrain and France, Russia’s Lev Katsman opened his account by beating Norway’s Adrian Wetzel (11-7, 11-7, 11-7).

Likewise, there was success for Nicolas Burgos, the runner up on home soil earlier this year at the 2019 Chile Junior and Cadet Open, he beat Nikita Artemenko (11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11). Additionally, there was a good start for the host nation, Dimitrije Levajac accounted for Slovakia’s Daniel Orac (11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8).

Notably, their performances have attracted accolades and encouragement from the continental ruling body, Khaled El-Salhy, President of African Table Tennis Federation considered the players fine ambassadors for the continent.

“Some African players did quite well, especially Quadri Aruna who was the last male player on track by reaching the round of 32, also Dina Meshref made it to the round of 64 in singles while her doubles’ pairing with Yousra Helmy reached the last 32 of the event. I think they all tried their best and lost in some very tough matches.” Khalid El-Salhy

Equally, Khalid El-Salhy accepted the fact the African players faced a daunting task in Budapest.

“Medals in this kind event are very difficult due to the big competition from China as well as from strong teams like Japan, Germany, Korea and others. Maybe they should look to medals in World Cup events. Players must also work hard to be able to advance in this kind of competition; this will surely help their world ranking. Also national associations must prepare their players and should be now looking to future World Championships.” Khaled El-Salhy

Likewise, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, Vice President Western African Region, stressed that African players need to raise their game for events like the World Championships.

“The performance of the African players was quite fair. We were hoping for better results but they had to contend with difficult draws and players recovering from injuries. The performances need to improve so we can challenge the top Asian and European players. Apart from this, I must commend Quadri Aruna who is still recovering from a hamstring injury but worked hard in getting to the round of 32 before going out in a closely contested match against the overwhelming favourite and World no. 1 Fan Zhen Dong. It was a great performance. The young Nigerian former junior champion, Ajoke Ojomu, also showed great promise in her first World Championships. She showed all the qualities needed to play at this level. Now she must add more hard work to her undoubted talent. The African female champion Dina Meshref also played well.” Wahid Enitan Oshodi

Furthermore, Wahid Enitan Oshodi stressed the need to be up to date.

“We must get our players playing more regularly against the best players in the world. Our coaches need to learn the latest techniques. We need more exposure for them and for the players. We need to get our players on the World Tour; this means money, they need more sponsorship and funding. We have all witnessed the vast improvements made by Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo and Omar Assar since they started playing regularly on the Tour. You play against the best in the world and you learn from them. The support Quadri Aruna has received from Baba Ljebu Bet has helped him in no small way to ensure he attends tournaments and pays for the extra coaching that is needed at this level. Others need to emulate this.” Wahid Enitan Oshodi

Falck translates to Falcon and very much like the bird of prey Mattias spent 24 hours in Stockholm flying around, visiting all the major television stations. Following his magnificent display in Budapest the country’s interest in the star has peaked.

On arrival at the airport in his hometown of Halmstad, Mattias Falck was welcomed in style by the airport firefighters who greeted him with a water rainbow. Not everyone can say that they’ve experienced that! But, the celebrations didn’t stop there as he met with his teammates and other club members at Halmstad TTC.

“I couldn’t believe it! Even the pilots flying me welcomed me on board and congratulated me.” Mattias Falck

Tuesday 30th April also marked the first day of Spring in Sweden “Valborgsmässoafton” a day which is celebrated with music, speeches and bonfires. Adding to the festivities Falck’s homecoming was another cause for celebration with around 8000 people welcoming the 27-year-old home. However, Falck was not the only person who received a warm welcome as the city, along with the Swedish Table Tennis Association, also hailed the return of former legend of the sport and Falck’s coach Jörgen Persson who was also in attendance.

The Mayor of Halmstad, Mr. Jonas Bergman stated his elation at Falck’s achievement in Budapest and was especially delighted from a personal point of view to see the nation celebrating a local to Halmstad:

“This weekend something happened that we have not seen for 22 years, a Swedish table tennis player reached the final in a World Championships! This guy also lives in Halmstad which makes us extremely proud and happy.” Mr. Jonas Bergman, Mayor of Halmstad.

Humble as always Falck has been heartened by the love and support he has received since his arrival back in Halmstad:

“The past 24 hours have been crazy with interviews and TV-programmes and when I’m here in front of all these people it’s almost too much for me. I’m very happy and thankful for all the support you have given me, I felt it all the way to Budapest.” Mattias Falck

The Swedish Table Tennis Association has decided to honour the historic outing at the Liebherr 2019 World Championships with the unveiling of a special award “The Falck”, which will see €1000 being awarded to a standout individual with Mattias Falck presenting the award in person.

“It’s table tennis fever in Sweden after the success in Budapest for Mattias Falck and Swedish table tennis. Yesterday was a big celebration of Mattias and his coach Jörgen Persson in his hometown of Halmstad. STTA decided to establish a prize called “The Falck” that every year will be awarded to someone who made, tried or developed something extraordinary within Swedish table tennis with the prize being handed out by Mattias Falck. We are so happy to feel the support for table tennis in Sweden again. The only way to alleviate the fever is to play more table tennis.” Petra Sörling, chairman of the Swedish Table Tennis Association.