原文 :
Hong Kong, rich in the traditions of table tennis, emerged successful in both the Boys’ and Girls’ Singles Hopes events at the KVB Kunlun New Zealand Junior and Cadet Open on Wednesday 7th April 2010.
Kwan Man Ho captured the Boys’ Singles crown, whilst top prize in the counterpart Girls’ Singles event went the way of Ng Yuen Wai.
It was the first such international tournament of its kind to be staged in the continent of Oceania. Furthermore, following the conclusion of proceedings and judging by the overall positive reaction, most certainly it will not be the last!
Class Above
The left handed Kwan Man Ho looked to be a class above the rest of the boys’ field and he did not disappoint as he did not surrender a game en route to the gold medal.
He came through his group in impressive style and then overpowered New Zealand’s Victor Ma in the quarter-finals before outclassing New Zealand’s Roger Wang in the semi final.
Final
His opponent in the final was Canada’s Filip Ilijevski.
The vocal young Canadian had previously recorded victories against Malaysia’s Jay Ong in the quarter-finals before outlasting the energetic Dominic Huang from Australia in the semi-finals, both matches were won by three games to one.
Higher Level
In the final it was Kwan Man Ho who played at a level well above his tender years as he dominated proceedings from start to finish in a straight games victory.
Employing tight services and receives, consistently strong third ball attacks and safe blocking when required, the youngster from Hong Kong has immense potential.
Third Place
In the third place playoff it was New Zealand’s Roger Wang who won a tight encounter over trans-Tasman rival Dominic Huang from Australia.
Playing aggressively, it was Wang who won the most important points as he recorded a three games to one victory.
Dominant
Meanwhile in the Hopes Girls’ Singles event it was Ng Yuen Wai from Hong Kong who dominated the event.
In the group matches she did not drop a game in both of her matches. Seeded number two, she accounted for Amanda Wong from Malaysia in the semi-finals by three games to nil to book her place in the final.
At final hurdle, nine year old Desiree Hung from Hong Kong was Ng Yuen Wai’s opponent.
The young right hander had also progressed without the loss of a single game.
At the semi-final stage against Rao Ruofei from New Zealand she established a two games to zero lead before Rao Ruofei fought back to claim the following two games and force a deciding game. It was Desiree Hung who held her nerve and succeeded 11-8 to reserve her place in the final.
Compatriots Finall
In an all Hong Kong final, it was Ng Yuen Wai who controlled the match from start to finish.
She never looked like conceding a game and came out a comprehensive victor in straight games. In doing so, she won the first ever Hopes Girls singles event on Oceania soil.
Third Place
In the third place play-off it was New Zealand’s Rao Ruofei who triumphed over Malaysia’s Amanda Wong in four close games. All four games were decided by a narrow two point margin, but it was the young Kiwi who had the better of the duel to seal third place.
Talent Abundant
Although this was the first time that Hopes Singles events have been staged in Oceania, surely more will follow.
The talent on display from the passionate youngsters suggests that with careful nurturing the potential of today can reach lofty heights in the future, as always
With the Future in Mind!
