Golden Trip For Latin America At The 2015 ITTF World Cadet Challenge

Latin America has made history in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, after claiming gold in girl’s teams, girl’s singles, and mixed doubles event at the 2015 ITTF World Cadet Challenge that concluded today, 31 October 2015.

The World Cadet Challenge is the international tournament for world’s best under-15 players to fight for the honour of their continents, and has long been a budding ground for young talents around the world. Many World Champions, such as reigning Olympic Champion ZHANG Jike, and World number one MA Long and DING Ning, all started their debut on the international arena at the World Cadet Challenge.

The Latin American girl’s team, led by top-seeded Adriana DIAZ, claimed their first ever World Cadet Challenge medal after winning 3-1 against a spirited European girl’s team to give them a perfect start to their tournament here in Egypt.

In the Girl’s Singles gold medal match, Bruna TAKAHASHI avenged for her teammate DIAZ’s semifinals loss to Andreea DRAGOMAN, beating DRAGOMAN 4-3 (11-8, 3-11. 12-10, 10-12, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9) in a full-distanced 7-game duel to take home the prestigious title for her and her team.

“I feel so happy with the victory and taking the first singles medal for Latin America. I fought so much for this and I’m glad it all paid off!” shared the Brazilian after her victory. “The match was so hard, and I was really nervous in the decider, but I had to take control, and my coach also told me to have faith, and that I could do well.”

“The Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be happening next year in my country, and we are all very excited about it. Like for the other Brazilian players, I’m also going to practise more and of course fight for the chance to participate for the Olympic Games at home.”

Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi competes gold hunt for Latin America

The Boy’s Singles Final was an equally exciting matchup between Asia’s YANG Shuo and Europe’s Truls MOREGARD, with both players pushing each other to their limits in each game. YANG eventually prevailed 4-3 (12-14, 12-10, 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 13-11, 11-6) to bring home his hard earned title.

Despite losing in the semifinals of the girl’s singles, DIAZ made up for her loss by winning the mixed doubles events with MOREGARD. For her outstanding performance throughout the entire tournament, she was also awarded the title of the “Most Valuable Girl”, a perfect gift for her birthday today.

World Cadet Challenge Heads To Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

The Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh has been confirmed as the host for the 13th World Cadet Challenge from 23 – 31 October 2015.

This marks the second time an African country has hosted the prestigious event since its inauguration in the Hungarian city of Tiszaujvaros in 2002, where reigning Olympics Champion ZHANG Jike won the Boy’s Singles title on his debut.

Upon the announcement, ITTF Deputy CEO Glenn TEPPER stated “The World Cadet Challenge has long been a favourite due to the unique combination of development, education and competition aspects. The event has now been confirmed in Sham El-Sheikh, one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.”

“Egypt has an excellent history of organizing great events, and finally returning to Africa after they last hosted in 2007 in South Africa is a great bonus, and we look forward to an excellent event,” added Mr. Tepper.

Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Alaa MESHREF, President of the Egypt Table Tennis Federation, and Khaled EL-SALHY, President of ITTF-Africa, the tournament now returns to Africa.

The 2015 edition will consist of a three day training camp from 23-25 October, Team event from 26-27 October, following by a cultural day (28 Oct) and Singles event on 29-31 October.

Who will be the next Olympic Champion to come from the World Cadet Challenge after Zhang Jike?

As an important component of the World Cadet Challenge, the training camp allows teams to train at least once every other team, as well as hold educational sessions for coaches each evening. Attending coaches are also empowered to take on an active role in the training camp headed by World Doubles and World Team Gold Medalist, Peter KARLSSON (SWE).

Mr. Karlsson already works closely with the ITTF in the “Close to Karlsson” project as part of the ITTF’s “With the Future in Mind” scholarship program, and his inspirational style of coaching is sure to motivate a new generation of champions.

There will be eight teams vying for gold at the World Cadet Challenge in Sharm El-Sheikh: one team from each of the six continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, Oceania), a Hopes team (comprised of the best young talent around the world), and Egypt as the Host team, with 4 boys and 4 girls in each team.

Mr. Tepper shared, “There’s a maximum of one player per country in the continental teams event, so teams must learn to co-operate together while learning each other’s culture and language, creating a great life learning experience in addition to the obvious table tennis benefits.”

Who will be the next Olympic Champion to come from the World Cadet Challenge?

Egypt Gear Up To Host Men’s U23 African Volleyball Nations Championship

Egypt are ready to host the first ever edition of the Men’s U23 African Nations Championship due to start in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt November 4 to 14, 2014.

The competition which acts also as a qualifier for the 2015 FIVB World Championship of this age category will feature 7 countries competing for the 2 African slots in the prestigious finals.

Agrebi (C) from Tunisia attacking against Egypt

Hosts Egypt will be joined by Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Rwanda and Botswana in the 10 day championship to be hosted in the best touristic city by the Red Sea.

The host team had a couple of weeks preparing for the competition where they played friendly matches against Libya as well as the senior Egyptian team.

The Libyan were the first team to arrive Egypt where they have set up a preparation camp for the competition, playing some friendly matches.

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Egypt To Organise The First Ever Men’s U23 African Nations Championship

Egypt will organise the first ever Men’s U23 African Nations Championship in Sharm El Sheikh September 6 to 13 November 2014 after the African Volleyball Confederations granted them the honour to host the prestigious event.

The competition acts as a qualifier for the FIVB World Championship of this age category as the winner and the second placed team in this Championship will represent Africa in the FIVB Men’s U23 World Championship 2015.

gypt Men’s U 23 team participated in the 2013 World Chamionship

Players who are Eligible to participate in this competition are those who were born on 1st of January 1993 or after.

Tunisia and Egypt represented Africa in the first Men’s U23 World Championship in Brazil 2013 as top ranked African teams.

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