China once again proves itself as a mighty table tennis powerhouse, defeating Japan to sweep both the Boys’ and Girls’ team titles at the 2017 World Junior Table Tennis Championships in Riva del Garda, Italy on 29 November 2017.
After having their worst World Junior Championships results in in history in 2016, winning only one out of the seven titles available, China was determined to reclaim the titles that they lost in Cape Town, South Africa. The Chinese team has sent out its strongest junior team to Riva del Garda, boasting 2014 & 2015 World Junior Champion WANG Manyu, world number nine in the world on the senior ranking SUN Yingsha in the girls’ team, as well as 2014 and 2015 World Junior Team Champions XUE Fei and WANG Chuqin on the boys’ team.
In a rematch of the 2016 World Junior Championships Girls’ Team event between China and Japan, the Chinese team avenged their 2016 loss to Japan with a 3-1 victory to take the crown.
Top seeded SUN Yingsha (CHN) and WANG Manyu (CHN) proved too strong for Miyu KATO (JPN) and Miyuu KIHARA (JPN), defeating their opponents both 3-1 to give China a 2-0 lead.
Despite Miyu NAGASAKI (JPN)’s tough fight to upset 2016 World Junior Champion SHI Xunyao (CHN) to bring the score to 2-1, Japan was unable to turn the tides in the favor, as WANG ended their hopes with a convincing 3-0 () victory over KATO.
“We are very happy to win the final, the title is back to its original owner, and we have reclaimed the crown,” stated WANG after the sealing the final victory for the Chinese team. “Japan did gave us a lot of difficulties during today’s match. After Shi Xunyao lost the third match, I had to quickly adjust myself to prepare for the next match and not be affected by her defeat. Regardless what the final score is, it feels good to have the final victory.”
As with the case of the Girls’ Team event, Japan was unable to defend their hard earned title from Cape Town, losing 0-3 to the China in the Boys’ Team final showdown.
The Chinese trio of XUE Fei, WANG Chuqin and XU Haidong gave the Japanese line up of Yuto KIZUKURI, Yuta TANAKA and Masaki TAKAMI no chance to fight back in the final, taking the crown 3-0 and seal the deal.
WANG Chuqin shared after their spic vitour “We are very happy to win the title back, it’s like a mission completed for us. We came with the goal to win, especially for Xue Fei and myself, so we do feel the pressure to play well to take the title.”
With the Team titles determined, all eyes turn to the singles and doubles events that started tomorrow, 30 November.
