Medals came the way of Hong Kong, as matters came to a conclusion in the team events at the ITTF Cadet Challenge in the Western Pacific island of Guam, on Wednesday 31^st October 2012.

Hung Ka Tak secured gold in the Cadet Boys’ Team event as did Soo Wai Yam in the counterpart Cadet Girls’ Team competition.

Meanwhile for 13 year old Leung Tsz Ching, who is eligible to compete in the event for the next two years, it was a bronze medal.

Unbeaten Throughout

Representing Asia, Hung Ka Tak remained unbeaten throughout the whole event; a perfect record on the first day of competition it was the same on the second day.

Lining up alongside Japan’s Kohei Sambe and China’s Song Xu; he beat Ecuador’s Marlon Vite (11-5, 11-2, 11-8) to secure a three-nil win for Asia over Latin America in the penultimate round and thus secured a place in the final.

The day’s work over, he was rested for the gold medal contest; Korea’s Cho Seungmin joined forces with Song Xu and Kohei Samba to secure the title. They recorded a three-one win over the European trio of Poland’s Patryk Zatowka, Sweden’s Anton Kallberg and Hungary’s Bence Majaros.

Colleagues Confronted Each Other

Gold for Hung Ka Tak and it was the same for Soo Wai Yam.

In the penultimate round, Asia faced the ITTF World Hopes Team, the effect was two Hong Kong players on opposite sides of the net.

Soo Wai Yam duly gained the verdict beating Leung Tsz Ching in three straight games (11-2, 11-8, 11-3) to secure victory for Asia against the ITTF World Hopes Team.

Girls’ Team Final

In the final, there was no change to the Asian line up with China’s He Zhuojia and Japan’s Mima Ito joining forces with Soo Wai Yam.

Alas for Soo Wai Yam it was defeat against Romania’s Natalia Bajor (11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8) but unbeaten performances by her two colleagues, saw Asia safely home.

First place for both Hung Ka Tak and Soo Wai Yam; for Leung Tsz Ching it was third place.

Brought Matters to a Close

No change to the ITTF World Hopes semi-final selection, Leung Tsz Ching defeated Ecuador’s Eunice Galvez (11-9, 11-7, 11-5) to bring matters to a close.

Cultural Activities Day

Thursday 1^st November is a rest day with cultural activities on the itinerary; the individual events commence on Friday 2^nd November with all three Hong Kong players in action.

Article By: Ian Marshall

Photos By: ITTF - Matt Weiss