After a long hiatus from competitions at the national level and across Canada, TTCAN staged a successful first event after a 16-month break, the Pan Am Junior & Cadet trials.
The Pan American Junior (U1-19) and Cadet (U-15) Championships will be held in the Dominican Republic in September. Canada will enter players in the U-19 and U-15 categories for both boys and girls for a maximum of 16 players in total.
In Mississauga, Ontario, Table Tennis Canada hosted its first event after the long break from competition. “My Table Tennis club” was the venue of the Pan Am Junior & Cadet trials from August 6 to 8, 2021, followed by a two-day physical and technical assessment camp from August 9 to10, 2021.
A very pleasant surprise is the performance of Ching Nam Fu from Ontario who won both the Junior & Cadet Girls competitions. Although she lost two matches in the group stage of the Junior competition to Sophie Gauthier (QC) and Jessie Xu (ON), she recovered in the elimination round and won all her matches. She also was undefeated in the cadet event for a very successful overall performance.
In the Junior Boys, Max Ji of BC was a surprise winner against the favourite Terence Yeung of Ontario.
In the Cadet Boys event, Zelin Ye (ON) and David Mandlestam (BC) showed a high level of play for this age group in the final, which was won by Zelin Ye.
“It is really rewarding to see the players come together to compete. We need competitions, we need to come together. It is so nice to feel the energy in the gym and everyone is doing their best with the COVID restrictions to make it a successful event. A huge thanks to all the volunteers, officials, coaches, parents and athletes for complying with the rules.” said Marles Martins, Competition Manager for the event.
This selection tournament was set for the Junior and Cadet National Team members, but was also open to any other player wishing to enter a qualification event prior to the trials. In total, including the invited national team members, over 50 athletes signed up for the event from Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia. After competing for 3 days the top 2 of each category were selected for the Pan Am Junior Championships that will be held in the Dominican Republic on September 12-18, 2021.
Cadet Girls
Ching Nam Fu, Ontario
Chrystal Liu
Cadet Boys
Zelin Ye, British Columbia
David Mandelstam, British Columbia
Junior Girls
Ching Nam Fu, Ontario
Joyce Xu, Ontario
Junior Boys
Max Ji, British Columbia
Terence Yeung, Ontario
Coaches for each team will be selected based on the players qualified for each team. The coach will then name the 3rd player for his/her team.
TTCAN will fund 3 players per team, a fourth place is available for each team on a self-funded basis and will be offered to the next highest placed player in the competition.
Coming up in September will be the Canadian Championships in Laval, Québec, for which we are very excited after such a long break due to the pandemic.