Members of Team Asia, Hong Kong’s Kwan Man Ho and Mak Tze Wing both left the Slovenian city of Otocec with three medals to their names when play ended on Sunday 3rd November at the 2013 ITTF Cadet Challenge.
On the concluding day of action, Kwan Man Ho secured bronze in the Boys’ Singles event and silver in the Boys’ Doubles; whilst for Mak Tze Wing in the counterpart Girls’ Singles event it was also bronze but in the Girls’ Doubles competition it was gold.
Earlier in the week Kwan Man Ho had lined up alongside China’s Wang Chuqin, Korea’s Hwang Minha and Japan’s Takuto Izumo to clinch the top prize in the Boys’ Team event. Mak Tze Wing had gained the same colour medal in the Cadet Girls’ Team competition, joining forces with China’s Li Yiran, Japan’s Mima Ito and Korea’s Kim Jiho.
At the semi-final stage of the Cadet Boys’ Singles event, Kwan Man Ho suffered defeat at the hands of Hwang Minha (11-7, 11-3, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6), before securing third place by overcoming Takuto Izumo (5-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-9).
Success over Kwan Man Ho but in the final the Korean had to settle for the silver medal; he was beaten by China’s Wang Chuqin (11-7, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 12-10).
Similarly, it was a semi-final defeat for Mak Tze Wing; she was beaten by the champion elect, China’s Li Yiran (14-12, 11-9, 11-6, 11-0). Eventually for Mak Tze Wing it was fourth place; she was beaten in the play-off match by Russia’s Maria Malanina (11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8). Li Yiran secured the top prize by overcoming Mima Ito in the final (8-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-2, 5-11, 13-15, 11-9).
Meanwhile, later in the day it was silver for Kwan Man Ho by the very narrowest of margins in partnership with Hwang Minha; the duo suffered defeat in a titanic struggle against top seeds Takuto Izumo and Wang Chuqin. They lost in seven games having held match point in the deciding game (11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 14-12, 17-15).
Disappointment for Kwan Man Ho but delight for Mak Tze Wing; in partnership with Li Yiran the duo combined to win the Girls’ Doubles title beating top seeds, Mima Ito and Kim Jiho in the final (11-2, 11-7, 11-9).
“This is the biggest title that I have won; in the first few days I didn't play well, I am happy that I was able to play very well in the doubles finals, I just executed well what I did in practice which is pleasing for me”, continued Mak Tze Wing. “Before the match I was very nervous as my partner was a Chinese player which is a first for me, I enjoyed playing with her very much, I learned a lot from her, especially my top spin; not everyone gets a chance to take part in this competition, so I was very proud that I was able to compete.”
The chance was seized. Mak Tze Wing had a second gold medal to her name.
Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall
Photo by: Courtesy of Slovenian Table Tennis Association
