Maintaining Family Traditions, Japanese Pair Win First Ever Junior Circuit Titles

Lausanne, May 13, 2012: Family Traditions, Japan’s 17 year old Masataka MORIZONO won the Junior Boys’ Singles title the Spanish Junior and Cadet Open, which concluded in Castell-Platja d’Aro on Sunday 13th May 2012. Meanwhile, 16 year old Shiho MATSUDAIRA secured the counterpart Junior Girls’ Singles crown.

At the final hurdle Masataka MORIZONO, the no.4 seed, beat Hong Kong’s CHIU Cheng-Hei in the final (11-4, 12-10, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8), after Shiho MATSUDAIRA had overcome DOO Hoi Kem, the no.2 seed and also from Hong Kong (11-8, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8), to secure the top step of the medal podium.

It was for both players their first ever titles on the ITTF Junior Circuit and for Shiho MATSUDAIRA, it her first ever appearance. Furthermore both upheld family honour.

Shiho MATSUDAIRA is the younger sister of Kenji and Kenta; both are members of the Japanese Men’s Team and both have histories of success. Kenji was a pivotal member of the outfit that won the bronze medal in the recent LIEBHERR World Team Championships in Dortmund; whilst Kenta was crowned World junior champion in Cairo in 2006.

Similarly, Masataka MORIZONO is the younger brother of Misaki MORIZONO; a member of the Japanese Women’s Team and with a host of titles to her name; notably in 2011, she won the Under 21 Women’s Singles event at the ITTF Pro Tour tournament in Chile. Furthermore, both Masataka MORIZONO and Shiho MATSUDAIRA left Castell-Platja d’Aro with more than one title to their credit.

Masataka MORIZONO emerged the most successful player in the whole tournament. In addition to winning the Junior Boys’ Singles crown, he partnered Kenta TAZOE to success in both the Junior Boys’ Team event and Junior Boys’ Doubles.

Three titles for Masataka MORIZONO, it was two for Shiho MATSUDAIRA. Alongside Yuki ARAKI, Yuki SHOJI and Miki FUJIHARA, Shiho MATSUDAIRA won the Junior Girls’ Team title earlier in the week. —- Photo: Lluis Franco.

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