Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha conquer China Smash (Photo WTT)
Twenty-four players from around the globe have secured their spots for the ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup in Macao later this year.
The qualifiers were confirmed following the various continental championships with reigning world champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha of China headlining the the Asian contingent.
Three-time European champion Darko Jorgic and defending champion Ying Han will lead the European charge. Africa’s Omar Assar and Quadri Aruna spearhead the continent’s quartet, with Algeria celebrating a historic breakthrough as three players secured World Cup berths.
- Asia – Men’s Singles: Wang Chuqin (CHN), Chang Yu-An (TPE), Harimoto Tomokazu (JPN), Togami Shunsuke (JPN)
- Asia – Women’s Singles: Sun Yingsha (CHN), Kuai Man (CHN), Wang Manyu (CHN), Harimoto Miwa (JPN)
- Europe – Men’s Singles: Darko Jorgic (SLO), Benedikt Duda (GER), Félix Lebrun (FRA), Alexis Lebrun (FRA)
- Europe – Women’s Singles: Jia Nan Yuan (FRA), Bernadette Szocs (ROU), Ying Han (GER), Sabine Winter (GER)
- Africa – Men’s Singles: Omar Assar (EGY), Quadri Aruna (NGR), Stéphane Ouaiche (ALG), Mehdi Bouloussa (ALG)
- Africa – Women’s Singles: Hana Goda (EGY), Dina Meshref (EGY), Mariam Alhodaby (EGY), Tania Morice (ALG)
Wang and Sun Claim Asian Titles
At the Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China, reigning World Champion Wang Chuqin successfully defended his Asian Cup title with a 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 victory over Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto. After falling behind 2-1, Chuqin rallied to claim three consecutive games and lift the trophy.
In the women’s final, world number one Sun Yingsha captured her first Asian Cup title, outlasting compatriot Wang Manyu 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 6-11, 13-11 in a see-saw encounter. Yingsha held her nerve in the decider to seal victory 13-11.
Japan’s Togami Shunsuke defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chang Yu-An to claim third place in the men’s singles, whilst China’s Kuai Man overcame Japan’s Harimoto Miwa for bronze in the women’s event.
Lebrun and Winter Crowned European Champions
In Montreux, France’s Alexis Lebrun successfully defended his Europe Top 16 Cup title with a composed 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6 victory over Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic in the final.
Germany’s top seed Sabine Winter claimed her first Europe Top 16 Cup title with a dominant 11-4, 11-4, 11-4 victory over Romania’s Bernadette Szocs. Winter becomes the first player to win a European title using anti-topspin rubber since John Hilton captured the European Championships crown in 1980.
“This victory means very, very much to me. Winning the Europe Top 16 Cup is the most important international title of my career, and I will definitely celebrate it properly,” said Winter.
Algeria Celebrates Historic Breakthrough
In Benghazi, Algeria secured three World Cup spots in a landmark achievement for the nation’s table tennis programme. Teenage sensation Tania Morice announced her arrival on the continental stage with a commanding 4-0 quarterfinal victory over Tunisia’s Abir Haj Salah. The reigning African girls’ cadet champion becomes the youngest Algerian player to qualify for the World Cup.
Stéphane Ouaiche delivered a dominant run to claim his World Cup berth, whilst Mehdi Bouloussa completed Algeria’s historic trio with a major upset in the men’s semifinals, defeating third seed Youssef Abdelaziz of Egypt 4-2.
Africa’s established stars also sealed their tickets to Macao, China. Egypt’s Hana Goda and nine-time champion Dina Meshref will return to the World Cup, whilst Mariam Alhodaby qualified for her second appearance. Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and defending champion Omar Assar both secured their spots with commanding 4-0 victories.
