Korean Jang Shocks Field to Become Champion

Rabat – morocco, Dec 9, 2013: Korean JANG Woojin has stunned the table tennis world by becoming the 2013 World Junior Table Tennis Champion in Rabat, Morocco on 8 December 2013.

The 18-year-old sensationally beat three top Chinese players in a row, the same three that won the teams’ gold earlier on in the week, to become only the second Korean to be crowned the best junior table tennis player on the planet.

After beating ZHOU Kai (CHN) in the final 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 16-14, 11-4, the 2010 ITTF World Cadet Challenge champion stated: “I am very proud to be the second Korean to win this prestigious title. I have always wanted to be like JEONG Sang Eun, who won in 2007.”

I can’t believe I was able to beat all the strong Chinese players; it is a dream come true. This is a great stepping stone for my career,” concluded JANG.

2010 Youth Olympic Games Champion GU Yuting (CHN) won the girls’ singles crown in her 5th and final attempt, beating teammate LIU Gaoyang (CHN) 11-9,7-11,9-11,11-5,3-11,11-9,11-8 in the final.

“Before the final, I was very excited,” stated the 18-year-old. “However, since it was my last chance to win become World Junior champion I was scared. For this reason, I was determined to win. I needed to win. I am so happy that I did.”

The gold did not stop there for GU, as she also won the girls’ doubles title for a record 5th time in a row. GU partnered with LIU Xi (CHN) to defeat compatriots WANG Manyu (CHN) / LIU Gaoyang (CHN) 11-8,11-9,11-9,8-11,11-9 to win the historic 5th straight title.

In the mixed doubles final, GU proved that she is beatable, after losing with partner ZHOU Qihao (CHN) against KONG Lingxuan (CHN) / LIU Xi (CHN). The pairing of KONG / LIU was just too good, overpowering their opponents to win the title 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 13-11, 7-11,11-8, 11-7.

In the boys’ doubles final, KONG Lingxuan (CHN) / ZHOU Qihao (CHN) survived a tough match, beating JANG Woojin (KOR) / PARK Chan-Hyeok (KOR) 10-13,11-9,15-13,11-7,11-13,11-7.

The clean sweep of the doubles titles capped off a successful World Junior Championships for China at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, after they won both the boys’ and girls’ team title earlier in the week.

The next ITTF event is the GAC Group 2013 World Tour Grand Finals on 9-12 January 2014 in Dubai.

Results:

Boy’s Singles Final

Woojin JANG (KOR) def ZHOU Kai (CHN) 11-6,8-11,11-7,16-14,11-4

Girl’s Singles Final

GU Yuting (CHN) def LIU Gaoyang (CHN) 11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 3-11, 11-9, 11-8

Boys Doubles Final

KONG Lingxuan (CHN) / ZHOU Qihao (CHN) def JANG Woojin (KOR) / PARK Chan-Hyeok (KOR) 10-13,11-9,15-13,11-7,11-13,11-7

Girl’s Doubles Final

GU Yuting (CHN) / LIU Xi (CHN) def WANG Manyu (CHN) / LIU Gaoyang (CHN) 11-8,11-9,11-9,8-11,11-9

Mixed Doubles Final

KONG Lingxuan (CHN) / LIU Xi (CHN) def GU Yuting (CHN) / ZHOU Qihao (CHN) 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 13-11, 7-11,11-8, 11-7. Photo by Remy Gros/ITTF