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Doo Hoi Kem leads the host association’s challenge at the Nikon Hong Kong Junior and Cadet Open which starts on Wednesday 7th August 2013 but she faces strong opposition, very strong opposition, from foreign shores.
Listed in ninth spot on the Under 18 Girls’ World Rankings and the winner of the Junior Girls’ Singles title earlier this year at the Egypt Junior and Cadet Open in Ismailia, Doo Hoi Kem is the second highest globally listed player on duty in the Premium tournament.
Notably the one name higher on the list is Mima Ito; the 12 year old, who recently repeated her success of two years earlier by winning both the Junior Girls’ and Cadet Girls’ Singles titles in Chinese Taipei, is presently named at no.7 on the Under 18 Girls’ World Rankings.
Winner of World Number One
However, both face a very stern challenge from the next two names in the order of merit.
China’s Hu Limei who accounted for World no.1, compatriot Ding Ning in the Chinese Selection Tournament for the LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris, is named on the start list. Also nominated is Ariel Hsing of the United States, the winner of the Intercontinental Cup at the Volkswagen Women’s World Cup in September 2013.
The American has not enjoyed the best of fortunes on the ITTF Junior Circuit in 2013, her best effort being the runner up to Doo Hoi Kem in Egypt. She has a point to prove; conversely Hu Limei has proved her point.
Worthy Names
Four notable names in the girls’ events in Hong Kong and you can add further celebrated appellations; Japan’s Miyu Maeda and Eka So both appear on the start list and both have proved their worth of the ITTF Junior Circuit.
In 2010, Miyu Maeda, when still in the cadet age group category won the Junior Girls’ Singles title in both Sweden and Poland; whilst earlier this year, Eka So won in Spain.
Winners
A Junior Girls’ Singles winner on the ITTF Junior Circuit in 2013, there are four further names on duty in Hong Kong who have stood on the top step of the medal podium on the concluding day of action.
Ayane Morita, also from Japan and the winner in France is listed as is Chinese Taipei’s Huang Hsin, the victor in Tunisia. Also, from foreign shores there is Brazil’s Leticia Nakada who won in Peru and Charlotte Carey who succeeded in Malta.
Local Focus
All provide strong opposition for the young ladies from Hong Kong who, in addition to Doo Hoi Kem, will be looking very much towards Lam Yee Lok, Minnie Soo Wai Yam and MakTze Wing to upset the pecking order.
Earlier in the year Lam Yee Lok won in Italy, whilst Minnie Soo Wai Yam was the runner up to Ayane Morita in France; as for MakTze Wing, most certainly she is one of Hong Kong’s most improved players.
Only 15 years old, she reached the quarter-finals of the Junior Girls’ Singles event at the recent Chinese Taipei Junior and Cadet Open.
Impressive Cadet Boy
An impressive 15 year old and in the boys’ events at the Nikon Hong Kong Junior and Cadet Open, there is a very impressive young man of the same age on duty.
China’s Yu Ziyang, listed in top spot on the Under 15 Boys’ World Rankings is the leading name on duty but like Mima Ito and Doo Hoi Kem in the girls’ competitions, he faces most worthy challengers.
Chinese Taipei Challenge
Brazil’s VitorIshiy, Junior Boys’ Singles winner in Peru is also on duty as are three very notable names from Chinese Taipei.
Wen Wei-Chieh, Yang Heng-Wei and Wang Tai-Wei are all scheduled to compete in Hong Kong.
Notably Wen Wei-Chieh won in both Bahrain and more recently on home soil; whilst Yang Heng-Wei was the winner in Egypt and Wang Tai-Wei, the runner to Wen Wei-Chieh in Bahrain.
Japan Presents Formidable Opposition
A strong challenge from Chinese Taipei in the boys’ events, it is the same from Japan; both ToninRyuzaki and Ryotaro Ogata will be in action.
Currently ToninRyuzaki is listed at no.3 on the Under 15 Boys’ World Rankings; whilst at the recent Chinese Taipei Junior and Cadet Open, Ryotaro Ogata won the Cadet Boys’ Singles title.
Worthy challengers from beyond the frontiers of Hong Kong but from within there are players who will provide formidable opposition for their illustrious guests.
Worthy Performances
Li Hon Ming, Lam Siu Hang and Hung KaTak lead the host’s challenge; all three have impressed on the ITTF Junior Circuit in 2013.
Lam Siu Hang was a Junior Boys’ Singles semi-finalist in Thailand as was Hung KaTak in Italy; whilst Li Hon Ming reached the quarter-finals in Italy, France and Egypt.
Undoubtedly, a mouth-watering tournament awaits once again in Hong Kong.
Entry
A total of 82 boys and 69 girls will compete in Hong Kong with ten national associations participating: Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Sweden and the United States of America.
Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall
Photo by: Michael Tse
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