The Chinese Men and Women’s team have once again stamped their authority over world table tennis at the Perfect World Team Table Tennis Championships, by winning its 20thMen’s and Women’s Team gold against the determined Japanese team.
The last day’s action of the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships was a repeat of the 2014 World Team Championships Final in Tokyo, Japan, where China and Japan met in an enthralling women’s team final.
China’s world number one LIU Shiwen was able to defeat Japan’s Ai FUKUHARA, world ranked number 4, comfortably 3-0 to give the Chinese team the perfect start to their way to gold. LIU’s teammate and reigning Olympics Champion LI Xiaoxia, however struggled against Kasumi ISHIKAWA, losing the first two games to the Japanese national champion. The Grand Slam Champion was able to recover from the first 2 games to eventually come back and win 3-2 to give China a 2-0 lead.
LIU shared after taking the first point for her team that “We have a strong team, good preparation so that helps when you have to play a pressure match. Also the support was tremendous, I hope that will continue!”
Grand Slam Champion LI, who survived a close defeat to ISHIKAWA, added “I have great support from my team but the main factor when I was losing and took the ‘Time Out’ was to believe in myself.”
In the last match, 2015 World Singles Champion DING Ning faced off 15-year-old prodigy Mima ITO. ITO was able to surprise DING in the first game, winning 11-8, but the experienced champion quickly adapted to recover in the next 3 games and seal a 3-0 team victory for the Chinese team.
39 years since its last finals appearance, the Japanese men’s team has failed to rewrite history against the defending Chinese team. Japan has won seven out of 12 finals appearances in the past, with all its five losses against the mighty Chinese team, Today, at the Malawati Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it was no different.
The Chinese line-up of XU Xin, MA Long, and ZHANG Jike proved too strong for the Japanese trio of Jun MIZUTANI, Maharu YOSHIMURA and Yuya OSHIMA in the final hurdle for gold, prevailing 3-0. XU crushed MIZUTANI, the 7-time Japanese national champion, in three straight games, while world number one MA overcame YOSHIMURA without dropping a game.
Grand Slam Champion ZHANG who has been recovering from his back injury from 2015, had to face the strong resistance from Japan’s rising star OSHIMA, who won the Men’s Doubles and Under-21 Men’s Singles titles at the prestigious GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals. Despite trailing closely behind to come near to upsetting the 2-time World Champion, the Japanese wasn’t able to continue his momentum in the game and lost 1-3.
“I feel very happy to be able to win here in Kuala Lumpur. This victory is also an affirmation of my performance in team events, since I lost in the finals in the last World Team Championships in Tokyo. It is great to be the World.”
With their near perfect performance at the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships, China’s XU Xin and LI Xiaoxia were also awarded the Male and Female Most Valuable Player respectively. Both have won a whooping seven games each for their teams at here in Kuala Lumpur to receive the award.
In the second division, both the Indian Men’s and Women’s team have now confirmed their promotion to the Championships Division at the 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Halmstad, Sweden by finishing first in the second division. Runners-up in the second division, the Brazilian Men’s and the Luxembourg Women’s team has also made their way to the Championships Division to compete in the top tier in 2018.
Winner and runner-up in the third division, Luxembourg and Chilean men’s team will be promoted to the second division, alongside with Iran and Uzbekistan in the Women’s team event. 73rd ranked Pakistan and 74th Togo will advance to the Men’s team third division at the next World Team Championships, together with the Turkmenistan and Lebanon Women’s teams.
The next World Table Tennis Championships will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany 29 May to 5 June 2017.
With the conclusion of the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships, international table tennis attention now turns to the 2016 ITTF World Tour Kuwait Open and Qatar Open starting mid-March 2016.
The Lagos Derby between Ikorodu United and MFM FC ended in a scoreless draw at the Onikan Stadium on Sunday.
The first half of the match was a cagey affair with both sides not posing much of a threat in the final third. The first half ended with a massive talking point when Monsuru Bashiru was sent off in added time.
The MFM defender was sent off after collecting a second yellow card for contesting the decision to book goalkeeper Abayomi Folarin for time wasting.
The second half started with 10-man MFM FC dictating the pace of the game and could have scored in the 57th minute when Musa Newman’s shot was inches wide of the post.
Ikorodu United
As the second half progressed, Ikorodu United got into the game and started creating chances but MFM shot stopper Abayomi Folarin was up to the task making two beautiful saves to keep his team in the match.
MFM FC coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said after the match the red card made him change his strategy in the second half but “Thank God at the end of the day, we pick a point here”
The Ikorodu United coach Benson Edenma on the other hand said he wasn’t “satisfied” with the result. Edenma revealed he used five strikers in the match so his team could scored and said he will have to work on his attacking department since none of his strikers could get a goal in the derby.
The draw leaves Benson Edenma’s men in 13th position on the league table while MFM FC who now have 10 points from five matches are in 3rd position.
A tense contest on Sunday between Rivers United and Nasarawa United was settled by a Guy Kuemian strike in the fifth minute of second added time as the Port Harcourt side claimed their third victory in this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma opted to name the Ivoirian marksman as one of his substitutes and the move turned out to be a masterstroke as the former Leones Vegeterianos man claimed the spoils by plundering the game’s only goal.
Rivers United looked lethargic for most parts of the first half with the visitors enjoying the more clear-cut opportunities.
Nasarawa United were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty in the sixth minute after Eseosa Igbinoba was felled in the box by Festus Austin but the referee waved play on to the relief of the home faithful.
Obomate Frederick had the best chance for the hosts just before half time but his shot flew wide of Paul Danjuma’s right hand post.
The visitors mustered the first effort on target after the restart despite been under the cosh for long spells but Ishaya Anyu’s volley from range in the 58th minute was dealt with at the second attempt by Sunday Rotimi, the Rivers United goalkeeper.
Chances were few and far between as Nasarawa United seemed convinced to defend in numbers, rarely venturing out of their half with real attacking intent.
The hosts nearly took the lead in the 73rd minute through Christin Weli but the midfielder failed to keep his shot low and on target.
It seemed the game would end in a stalemate until Guy popped up at the death to force the issue.
A visibly disappointed Nasarawa United head coach, Kabiru Dogo was philosophical in defeat.
“We thank the Almighty God (for the result) and at the same time congratulate Rivers United for their hard-victory because it’s not easy.
“That’s the way God wants it and we take it (the defeat) in good faith,” Dogo said at the post match press.
Guy celebrates
On his part, the Rivers United trainer, Eguma acknowledged that it was an extremely difficult contest but praised his wards for staying patient until the end.
“It was a difficult game. Nasarawa United is a very good team. They did not give up until the last minute.
“I commend my players though we did not have a very good game today.
“It was important not to concede and my players showed character to fight until the end,” Eguma said.
The win puts Rivers United in fifth place on the NPFL standings with nine points from five matches while Nasarawa United stay bottom with no points after three games.
The ITF has announced the latest results for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round and Zone Group ties taking place on 4-6 March. A total of 32 ties are being held this weekend.
Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus has set a new record for the longest Davis Cup singles winning streak at the Europe Zone Group III event in Tallinn, Estonia to help his country win promotion to Group II in 2017. Baghdatis’s four singles victories this week extended his winning streak to 36 rubbers to overtake the previous record holder Bjorn Borg, of Sweden, who won 33 consecutive singles rubbers. Estonia also won promotion to Group II in 2017.
Live scoring for all ties is available on the official Davis Cup website throughout the weekend. In addition, the English and Spanish versions of the website both feature a live blog, reports, photographs, audio interviews and live streaming. There is also a fan zone showing the best social media content on http://www.daviscup.com/showyourcolours
GREAT BRITAIN leads JAPAN 2-1
Venue: Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, GBR (hard – indoor)
Andy Murray (GBR) d. Taro Daniel (JPN) 61 63 61
Kei Nishikori (JPN) d. Daniel Evans (GBR) 63 75 76(3)
Andy Murray/Jamie Murray (GBR) d. Yoshihito Nishioka/Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) 63 62 64
Andy Murray (GBR) v Kei Nishikori (JPN)
Daniel Evans (GBR) v Taro Daniel (JPN)
KAZAKHSTAN leads SERBIA 2-1
Venue: Aleksandar Nikolic Arena (Poinir Hall), Belgrade, SRB (hard – indoor)
Novak Djokovic (SRB) d. Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ) 61 62 63
Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) d. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 75 62 64
Andrey Golubev/Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ) d. Novak Djokovic/Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) 63 76(3) 75
Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)
Viktor Troicki (SRB) v Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ)
Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) d. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 76(14) 63 46 57 75
Andreas Seppi (ITA) d. Henri Laaksonen (SUI) 75 76(4) 36 63
Simone Bolelli/Andreas Seppi (ITA) d. Marco Chiudinelli/Henri Laaksonen (SUI) 63 61 63
Andreas Seppi (ITA) v Marco Chiudinelli (SUI)
Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) v Henri Laaksonen (SUI)
ARGENTINA leads POLAND 2-1
Venue: Ergo Arena, Gdansk, POL (hard – indoor)
Guido Pella (ARG) d. Michal Przysiezny (POL) 61 64 76(5)
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) d. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 62 76(3) 62
Lukasz Kubot/Marcin Matkowski (POL) d. Carlos Berlocq/Renzo Olivo (ARG) 63 64 64
Michal Przysiezny (POL) v Leonardo Mayer (ARG)
Hubert Hurkacz (POL) v Guido Pella (ARG)
FRANCE defeated CANADA 3-0
Venue: Vélodrome Amédée Detraux, Guadeloupe, FRA (clay – outdoor)
Gael Monfils (FRA) d. Frank Dancevic (CAN) 63 61 63
Gilles Simon (FRA) d. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 75 63 63
Richard Gasquet/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) d. Philip Bester/Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 76(4) 61 76(4)
Gael Monfils (FRA) v Vasek Pospisil (CAN)
Gilles Simon (FRA) v Frank Dancevic (CAN)
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) d. Lukas Rosol (CZE) 36 63 64 26 63
Tomas Berdych (CZE) d. Alexander Zverev (GER) 76(6) 16 46 76(5) 64
Tomas Berdych/Radek Stepanek (CZE) d. Philipp Kohlschreiber/Philipp Petzschner (GER) 76(7) 75 64
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) v Tomas Berdych (CZE)
Alexander Zverev (GER) v Lukas Rosol (CZE)
USA leads AUSTRALIA 2-1
Venue: Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, Kooyong, AUS (grass – outdoor)
John Isner (USA) d. Samuel Groth (AUS) 76(2) 62 62
Bernard Tomic (AUS) d. Jack Sock (USA) 76(2) 63 36 64
Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA) d. Lleyton Hewitt/John Peers (AUS) 63 63 46 46 63
Bernard Tomic (AUS) v John Isner (USA)
Samuel Groth (AUS) v Jack Sock (USA)
CROATIA leads BELGIUM 2-1
Venue: Country Hall du Sart-Tilman, Liège, BEL (clay – indoor)
Marin Cilic (CRO) d. Kimmer Coppejans (BEL) 75 63 75
David Goffin (BEL) d. Borna Coric (CRO) 63 62 26 36 63
Ivan Dodig/Franko Skugor (CRO) d. Ruben Bemelmans/David Goffin (BEL) 76(5) 63 61
David Goffin (BEL) v Marin Cilic (CRO)
Kimmer Coppejans (BEL) v Borna Coric (CRO)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from France at practice before the Davis Cup final between France and Switzerland, at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Lille, on November 19, 2014. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ABACAPRESS.COM
EUROPE/AFRICA GROUP I FIRST ROUND
ROMANIA leads SLOVENIA 3-0
Venue: Sala Sporturilor, Arad, ROU (hard – indoor)
Marius Copil (ROU) d. Blaz Rola (SLO) 75 63 76(5)
Adrian Ungur (ROU) d. Grega Zemlja (SLO) 46 46 63 76(3) 64
Florin Mergea/Horia Tecau (ROU) d. Blaz Rola/Grega Zemlja (SLO) 63 76(5) 76(3)
Adrian Ungur (ROU) v Blaz Rola (SLO)
Marius Copil (ROU) v Grega Zemlja (SLO)
AUSTRIA leads PORTUGAL 2-1
Venue: Pavilhao Vitoria Sport Clube, Guimarães, POR (hard – indoor)
Joao Sousa (POR) d. Gerald Melzer (AUT) 61 75 62
Dominic Thiem (AUT) d. Gastao Elias (POR) 36 75 63 16 76(6)
Alexander Peya/Dominic Thiem (AUT) d. Gastao Elias/Joao Sousa (POR) 67(6) 67(4) 61 63 64
Joao Sousa (POR) v Dominic Thiem (AUT)
Gastao Elias (POR) v Gerald Melzer (AUT)
RUSSIA defeated SWEDEN 3-0
Venue: Kazan Tennis Academy, Kazan, RUS (hard – indoor)
Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) d. Isak Arvidsson (SWE) 46 61 61 64
Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) d. Daniel Windahl (SWE) 63 61 61
Evgeny Donskoy/Konstantin Kravchuk (RUS) d. Johan Brunstrom/Robert Lindstedt (SWE) 63 76(5) 63
Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) v Isak Arvidsson (SWE)
Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) v Daniel Windahl (SWE)
HUNGARY defeated ISRAEL 3-0
Venue: Heroes’ Square Stadium, Budapest, HUN (clay – indoor)
Peter Nagy (HUN) d. Dudi Sela (ISR) 62 63 46 46 61
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) d. Amir Weintraub (ISR) 64 62 75
Marton Fucsovics/Levente Godry (HUN) d. Jonathan Erlich/Dudi Sela (ISR) 76(2) 36 76(5) 76(7)
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) v Dudi Sela (ISR)
Peter Nagy (HUN) v Amir Weintraub (ISR)
ASIA/OCEANIA GROUP I FIRST ROUND
KOREA, REPUBLIC leads NEW ZEALAND 2-0
Venue: Olympic Tennis Courts, Seoul, KOR (hard – outdoor)
Seong Chan Hong (KOR) d. Jose Statham (NZL) 64 63 46 76(6)
Hyeon Chung (KOR) d. Michael Venus (NZL) 64 75 61
Hyeon Chung/Yong-Kyu Lim (KOR) v Artem Sitak/Michael Venus (NZL) *delayed due to rain
Hyeon Chung (KOR) v Jose Statham (NZL)
Seong Chan Hong (KOR) v Michael Venus (NZL)
CHINA, P.R. defeated PAKISTAN 3-0
Venue: Sri Lanka Tennis Association, Colombo, SRI (clay – outdoor)
Ze Zhang (CHN) d. Aqeel Khan (PAK) 64 62 62
Di Wu (CHN) d. Yasir Khan (PAK) 36 61 64 62
Yan Bai/Mao-Xin Gong (CHN) d. Aqeel Khan/Aisam Qureshi (PAK) 64 36 63 76(4)
Aqeel Khan (PAK) v Di Wu (CHN)
Yasir Khan (PAK) v Ze Zhang (CHN)
Emilio Gomez (ECU) d. Adam Hornby (BAR) 60 60 60
Ivan Endara (ECU) d. Darian King (BAR) 61 62 64
Emilio Gomez/Giovanni Lapentti (ECU) d. Darian King/Haydn Lewis (BAR) 64 67(7) 62 63
Emilio Gomez (ECU) v Darian King (BAR)
Ivan Endara (ECU) v Adam Hornby (BAR)
CHILE leads DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 3-0
Venue: Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez P – Court Central, Santiago, CHI (clay – outdoor)
Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) d. Jose Olivares (DOM) 61 61 76(4)
Gonzalo Lama (CHI) d. Jose Hernandez-Fernandez (DOM) 63 76(3) 75
Julio Peralta/Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) d. Manuel Castellanos/Jose Hernandez-Fernandez (DOM) 61 61 75
Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) v Jose Hernandez-Fernandez (DOM)
Gonzalo Lama (CHI) v Jose Olivares (DOM)
Mirza Basic (BIH) d. Anis Ghorbel (TUN) 62 64 62
Malek Jaziri (TUN) d. Tomislav Brkic (BIH) 67(5) 62 76(7) 67(5) 64
Mirza Basic/Tomislav Brkic (BIH) d. Malek Jaziri/Skander Mansouri (TUN) 67(2) 46 63 75 64
Mirza Basic (BIH) v Malek Jaziri (TUN)
Tomislav Brkic (BIH) v Anis Ghorbel (TUN)
LATVIA defeated MONACO 3-0
Venue: Daugavpils Olimpiskais Centrs, Daugavpils, LAT (hard – indoor)
Martins Podzus (LAT) d. Romain Arneodo (MON) 76(5) 64 76(6)
Mikelis Libietis (LAT) d. Benjamin Balleret (MON) 36 64 36 63 64
Mikelis Libietis/Martins Podzus (LAT) d. Romain Arneodo/Benjamin Balleret (MON) 63 62 75
Mikelis Libietis (LAT) v Romain Arneodo (MON)
Martins Podzus (LAT) v Benjamin Balleret (MON)
BELARUS leads EGYPT 2-1
Venue: El Gezera Sporting Club, Cairo, EGY (clay – outdoor)
Egor Gerasimov (BLR) d. Karim-Mohamed Maamoun (EGY) 62 63 61
Ilya Ivashka (BLR) d. Mohamed Safwat (EGY) 57 60 36 76(3) 75
Youssef Hossam/Mohamed Safwat (EGY) d. Alexander Bury/Egor Gerasimov (BLR) 76(7) 46 64 46 75
Mohamed Safwat (EGY) v Egor Gerasimov (BLR)
Karim-Mohamed Maamoun (EGY) v Ilya Ivashka (BLR)
FINLAND defeated ZIMBABWE 3-0
Venue: Kittilan Urheiluhalli, Kittila, FIN (hard – indoor)
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) d. Courtney John Lock (ZIM) 60 60 60
Harri Heliovaara (FIN) d. Takanyi Garanganga (ZIM) 36 63 46 64 64
Henri Kontinen/Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) d. Mark Fynn/Courtney John Lock (ZIM) 61 60 61
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) v Takanyi Garanganga (ZIM)
Harri Heliovaara (FIN) v Courtney John Lock (ZIM)
DENMARK defeated GEORGIA 3-0
Venue: New Sport Hall, Tbilisi, GEO (carpet – indoor)
Christian Sigsgaard (DEN) d. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 67(4) 61 64 64
Frederik Nielsen (DEN) d. George Tsivadze (GEO) 76(3) 60 61
Thomas Kromann/Frederik Nielsen (DEN) d. Nikoloz Basilashvili/George Tsivadze (GEO) 76(0) 61 62
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) v Frederik Nielsen (DEN)
George Tsivadze (GEO) v Christian Sigsgaard (DEN)
CHINESE TAIPEI leads MALAYSIA 2-1
Venue: Kaohsiung Yangming Tennis Courts, Kaohsiung, TPE (hard – outdoor)
Mohd Assri Merzuki (MAS) d. Jui-Chen Hung (TPE) 62 67(6) 06 61 64
Liang-Chi Huang (TPE) d. Syed Mohd Agil Syed Naguib (MAS) 60 60 62
Liang-Chi Huang/Chu-Huan Yi (TPE) d. Mohd Assri Merzuki/Syed Mohd Agil Syed Naguib (MAS) 61 64 62
Liang-Chi Huang (TPE) v Mohd Assri Merzuki (MAS)
Jui-Chen Hung (TPE) v Syed Mohd Agil Syed Naguib (MAS)
PHILIPPINES defeated KUWAIT 3-0
Venue: Valle Verde Country Club, Pasig City, Metro-Manila, PHI (clay – indoor)
Jeson Patrombon (PHI) d. Abdulrahman Alawadhi (KUW) 60 62 61
Ruben Gonzales (PHI) d. Mohammad Ghareeb (KUW) 76(2) 62 16 67(6) 55 ret.
Francis Casey Alcantara/Treat Huey (PHI) d. Abdulrahman Alawadhi/Abdulhamid Mubarak (KUW) 61 61 62
Jeson Patrombon (PHI) v Abdulhamid Mubarak (KUW)
Ruben Gonzales (PHI) v Abdulrahman Alawadhi (KUW)
VIETNAM leads INDONESIA 2-1
Venue: Gelora Manahan Tennis Stadium Complex, Surakarta, INA (hard – outdoor)
Christopher Rungkat (INA) d. Minh Tuan Pham (VIE) 61 61 62
Nam Hoang Ly (VIE) d. Aditya Hari Sasongko (INA) 61 64 62
Nam Hoang Ly/Thien Nguyen Hoang (VIE) d. Christopher Rungkat/Sunu-Wahyu Trijati (INA) 63 36 76(3) 62
Christopher Rungkat (INA) v Nam Hoang Ly (VIE)
Aditya Hari Sasongko (INA) v Minh Tuan Pham (VIE)
THAILAND leads SRI LANKA 2-1
Venue: The National Tennis Development Center (LTAT), Nonthaburi, THA (hard – outdoor)
Harshana Godamanna (SRI) d. Puriwat Chatpatcharoen (THA) 63 67(4) 63 63
Pruchya Isarow (THA) d. Sharmal Dissanayake (SRI) 62 63 63
Sanchai Ratiwatana/Sonchat Ratiwatana (THA) d. Yasitha De Silva/Dineshkanthan Thangarajah (SRI) 60 62 63
Puriwat Chatpatcharoen (THA) v Sharmal Dissanayake (SRI)
Pruchya Isarow (THA) v Harshana Godamanna (SRI)
AMERICAS GROUP II FIRST ROUND
PERU leads URUGUAY 2-1
Venue: Club Tennis Las Terrazas Miraflores, Lima, PER (clay – outdoor)
Jorge Brian Panta (PER) d. Martin Cuevas (URU) 57 75 67(5) 76(4) 64
Mauricio Echazu (PER) d. Santiago Maresca (URU) 67(5) 61 62 61
Ariel Behar/Martin Cuevas (URU) d. Duilio Vallebuona/Juan Pablo Varillas Patino-Samudio (PER) 64 76(3) 75
Mauricio Echazu (PER) v Martin Cuevas (URU)
Jorge Brian Panta (PER) v Santiago Maresca (URU)
MEXICO leads GUATEMALA 2-0
Venue: Juan Camilo Mouriño Terrazo Stadium, San Francisco de Campeche, MEX (hard – outdoor)
Lucas Gomez (MEX) d. Wilfredo Gonzalez (GUA) 64 36 62 62
Hans Hach (MEX) d. Christopher Diaz-Figueroa (GUA) 76(5) 67(2) 46 63 62
Santiago Gonzalez/Miguel-Angel Reyes-Varela (MEX) v Christopher Diaz-Figueroa/Wilfredo Gonzalez (GUA)
Lucas Gomez (MEX) v Christopher Diaz-Figueroa (GUA)
Hans Hach (MEX) v Wilfredo Gonzalez (GUA)
EL SALVADOR leads PUERTO RICO 2-1
Venue: Complejo Polideportivo de Ciudad Merliot, Santa Tecla, ESA (hard – outdoor)
Sebastian Arcila (PUR) d. Alberto Emmanuel Alvarado Larin (ESA) 64 64 62
Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) d. Alex Diaz (PUR) 62 62 60
Marcelo Arevalo/Rafael Arevalo (ESA) d. Sebastian Arcila/Alex Diaz (PUR) 67(6) 62 62 63
Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) v Sebastian Arcila (PUR)
Alberto Emmanuel Alvarado Larin (ESA) v Alex Diaz (PUR)
Ricardo Rodriguez (VEN) d. Bruno Britez (PAR) 67(8) 75 61 75
Luis David Martinez (VEN) d. Ayed Zatar (PAR) 75 36 76(7) 64
Luis David Martinez/Roberto Maytin (VEN) d. Bruno Britez/Ayed Zatar (PAR) 62 62 64
Ricardo Rodriguez (VEN) v Ayed Zatar (PAR)
Luis David Martinez (VEN) v Bruno Britez (PAR)
When young Ibrahim Hamadtou had an accident in 1983 and lost his arms, he had thought he would be able to do sports again. But his passion grew for table tennis that at 13, he started playing the game in the city of Kafr Saad, two hours journey by road from Cairo in Egypt.
Despite his physical challenge, Ibrahim Hamadtou now 42 has become an inspiration to millions of people across the globe.
“I was 10 when I had an accident and I lost my two arms. I love sports and I really want to take part in it but I could not. Initially I love playing football but I knew I cannot play because of my challenge. In my city, table tennis was popular so I started playing at 13 and from that I have been playing table tennis,” he said.
Initially Ibrahim Hamadtou sees table tennis as an avenue to excite him but things turned around for him when in 2011 at the African Paralympics Championship in Egypt, he was part of the Egyptian team that won silver at the tournament. This for him was the turning point.
“I was doing well in table tennis and I see it as another life. But I understand the importance of the sport when I won silver with the Egyptian team in 2011 and this was what inspired me more to fall in love with the sport. I must say that table tennis is my life. It is like the air I breathe and the water I drink. It has added value to my life and a lot of people have also been inspired by my story. This for me is awesome and I hope I can inspire more people across the globe,” he added.
However, Ibrahim Hamadtou’s romance with table tennis did not come without any sacrifice. “When I started it was difficult holding the racket with my teeth as well as my neck. I lost all my teeth playing the game and now I used artificial teeth. While my neck also ache but I am used to this now. I believe that is the sacrifice I had to make to play the game. But for me, I am really enjoying myself because God has been faithful to me in all ways. I have a beautiful wife and three children with my first born now an undergraduate. Nothing comes easy in this life and I want people to realise that God has a way of helping people achieve their dream. My future is bright and I hope to continue to inspire more people and make my country and continent proud with what I am doing with table tennis,” he said.
Already, Ibrahim Hamadtou has secured his place in this year’s Rio Paralympic Games after finishing second at the African Qualifiers held in Agadir, Morocco in 2015 and he is also hoping to make it to Tokyo 2020.
In 2014, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Chairman, Adham Sharara, who was then the ITTF President invited Ibrahim Hamadtou to the World Championship in Tokyo, Japan. “I think the opportunity I also had in 2014 inspired me more as I played an exhibition match and this has made me to continue to love the game and hope to be good ambassador of the sport globally.”
Ibrahim Hamadtou (EGY) during the exhibition match against Japan’s Miu Hirano in Malaysia
At the 2016 World Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ibrahim Hamadtou, who plays by grasping the racket in his mouth, played an exhibition match against Japan’s Miu Hirano, in a specially arranged contest prior to the start of the Women’s Team Final at the Perfect 2016 World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday 6th March.
The event has been made possible with the co-operation between the Japan Sport Council, the Japan Table Tennis Association and ITTF.
Sport for Tomorrow is an initiative promoted by the Japanese government, to promote sports to more than 10million people in 100 nations between 2014 and 2020. It one of the commitments made in successful bid to host the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
According to Director of Sport For Tomorrow, Takumi Kawahara, the initiative is Japan’s Government commitment to promoting value of sports globally towards 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. “Ibrahim Hamadtou and Miu Hirano just showed us how sports can bring people together and how sports can bridge people from variety backgrounds together. This is something we want to share with the world at Sport For Tomorrow,” Kawahara said.
Just like it happened in 2014 in Tokyo when Ibrahim Hamadtou played the likes of China’s Ma Long, Japan’s Jun Mizutani and Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, it was same experience when 15 year old Miu Hirano, the winner of three ITTF World Tour Under 21 Women’s Singles titles in addition to four Women’s Doubles titles played against the inspiring Egyptian.
School children were not left out of the show as they took turns to play against the African Ambassador and star.
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