ZEN-NOH 2019 TEAM WORLD CUP MEDIA KIT

CITY: Tokyo, Japan SITE: Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, 1-17-1, Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151- 0051, Japan DATE: 06-10 Nov 2019 PLAYERS: 48 men 51 women 99 total COUNTRIES: 16 TABLES: 4 TABLE BRAND: San-Ei Tibhar - Infinity BALL BRAND: Double Fish 40+ FLOOR BRAND: Trioflor MEDIA CONTACT: ITTF Media Officer, James Francis, [email protected] LOC Media Officer, Kana Koizumi, [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Zen-noh 2019 ITTF Team World Cup, the 12th edition of the Team World Cup.

The Team World Cup comprises of a total of 12 men’s and 12 women’s team which are made up of a host team, Continental Champions and other top finishers at the 2016 World Team Championships.

This media kit is designed to provide an update on the Zen-noh 2019 ITTF Team World Cup. Enclosed are statistics and notes that will be of assistance during the tournament. Players’ biographies as well as statistical, historical and personal data can be found on ITTF.com. Please make player interview requests through a member of the ITTF and OC media staff located in the press room.

The last edition of the ITTF Team World Cup was held in 2018 in , and this edition of the Team World Cup will serve as the test event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Key Dates/Times

06 November 2019, 11:00am @ Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium – Women’s and Men’s Team Round 1 & 2 07 November 2019, 10:00am @ Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium – Women’s and Men’s Team Round 3 07 November 2019, end of all matches @ Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium – Final Stage Draw 08 November 2019, 1:00pm @ Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium – Women’s and Men’s Team Quarter- finals 09 November 2019, 11:00am @ Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium – Women’s and Men’s Team Semi- finals 10 November 2019, 01:00pm @ Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium – Women’s and Men’s Team Finals

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Playing System

• In the 1st stage the teams will be divided into 4 equal groups, with all the members of a group playing each other, and in the 2nd stage the group winners and runners-up will compete in a knockout.

• For the 1st stage, the highest-ranked team will be placed in Group A, the 2nd highest in Group B, the 3rd highest in Group C and the 4th highest in Group D; the remaining teams will be drawn into the groups 2 at a time in ranking order. • For the 2nd stage, the winners of Groups A and B will be placed in positions 1 and 8 respectively and the winners of groups C and D will be drawn between positions 4 and 5; the runners-up will be drawn into the remaining places, in opposite halves from the winners of the same groups.

• In the semi-finals, the winner of the 1st quarterfinal will play the winner of the 2nd and the winner of the 3rd will play the winner of the 4th; the winners of the semi-finals will play each other in the final.

• The tournament will be played in accordance with the Laws of Table Tennis and the Regulations for International Competitions.

• All team matches shall be played on the new Olympic Test Playing System with a maximum of 4 singles and 1 doubles. Order of matches: BC vs YZ; A vs X; C vs Z; A vs Y; B vs X

• Each team has to submit their player list (Players A, B, C / Players X, Y, Z) at least 20 minutes before the start of each match.

• All individual matches of a team match shall be the best of 5 games.

• Seeding list done with the best 3 entered players and according to latest World Team Ranking February 2019.

Prize Money

Champions: US$50,000 Runner-up: US$25,000 Semi-finalist: US$12,000 Position 5-8: US$6,000 Position 9-12: US$3,000

Total: US$270,000

Past Winners and Locations

Men’s Team

Year Host City Gold Silver 2018 London China Japan 2015 Dubai China Austria 2013 Guangzhou China Chinese Taipei 2011 Magdeburg China South Korea 2010 Dubai China South Korea 2009 Linz China South Korea 2007 Magdeburg China Hong Kong

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1995 Atlanta South Korea Germany 1994 Nimes China Sweden 1991 Barcelona China Sweden 1990 Chiba Sweden China

Women’s Team

Year Host City Gold Silver 2018 London China Japan 2015 Dubai China North Korea 2013 Guangzhou China Japan 2011 Magdeburg China Japan 2010 Dubai China Singapore 2009 Linz China Singapore 2007 Magdeburg China South Korea 1995 Atlanta China Romania 1994 Nimes Russia Germany 1991 Barcelona China South Korea 1990 Chiba China North Korea

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Men’s Team Bio

China Seed: 1 WR 1 2 3 4 7 Age 22 29 24 31 23 Hand Right Left Left Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Pen-Hold Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting 2019 hasn’t been a good Ever present in the Once maligned for not Possibly the best player Rounding up the Chinese story year for Fan, having gone Chinese Team, Xu’s having the best mental ever in Table Tennis, team is Liang whose own most of it without reemergence as one of strength, Lin has grow Captain Long will be an meteoric rise has been winning a major title till the leading men of since his break through inspiration and the overshowed by his more Chinese table tennis saw in 2017 and has illustrious colleagues. his 2019 German Open driving force behind the him briefly took the established himself as a More than a match for win while losing out his Chinese bid to win the World No.1 spot. Ever force to be reckoned anyone, he should not be World No.1 spot for 2 one to entertain, he will with. title in Japan overlooked despite being months before regaining once again be key to the selected for the TWC for it in November. Chinese’s victory. the first time in his career.

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Japan Seed: 2

Tomokazu HARIMOTO Maharu YOSHIMURA Jin Takuya WR 5 11 13 48 52 Age 16 25 30 26 26 Hand Right Left Left Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting Still only 16 years old, A true enigma of Table A weathered veteran of Debut TWC appearance The second player on this story Harimoto is the leading Tennis, Niwa is capable the Japanese team. for Yoshimura but an Japanese team to be man of the Japanese of the ridiculous and Mizutani’s style of play experience and popular making his debut in the team and will be vital if moment of genius. makes it hard for any player in his homeland. TWC, Jin will be looking Should he be able to pull player looking to end to prove himself in front the team harbors any His uncanny ability to the unexpected out of the match early with his hopes of winning the title of his fans and justify his the bag, he will be ability to “fish” the ball pull off spectacular selection. on home soil. The unplayable for most. back to his opponent shots will wow the biggest threat to the from behind the table. crowd and leave his dominant Chinese team, opponent guessing. he has the weight of the nation on his young shoulders.

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Germany Seed: 3

Timo BOLL Patrick FRANZISKA WR 8 12 16 Age 38 31 27 Hand Left Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting Undoubtedly a German legend, Boll has The former World No.1 have found the Franziska, having been in the shadows of story proven that age is just a number by road back to the top tough since his his two teammate for a long time has continuing to play at the highest level. injury in 2018. However recent signs has been making waves recently in the Having missed the 2018 TWC due to shown that he is getting back to his best, international circuit. One will not be winning the 2019 Europea T16 Cup and quick to forget the incredible 4-3 match injury, he will be hoping to make a making the finals of the 2019 Czech against Xu Xin where he pushed the statement this year in Tokyo. Open World No.1 to his limit with his unrelenting pressure and play.

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Korea Republic Seed: 4

JANG Woojin LEE Sangsu JEOUNG Youngsik LIM Jonghoon CHO Daeseong WR 14 18 21 29 138 Age 24 29 27 22 17 Hand Right Right Right Left Left Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting First ever World Tour A distinguish player who Having recently start his Despite only being 22, A big moment for the Story Triple Champion and the have shown that he can mandatory military Lim has already youngster and an leading man for Korea compete at the highest service, Jeoung hasn’t established himself as a opportunity to compete Republic. An all action level. Lee is the oldest in laxed on his table tennis top Korean player and at the highest level. the team and will need performance, making Cho’s performance this style of play, Jang is will be looking to use likely to put up a tough to raise his game to help the finals of the Military year has justified his lift the team. games in Wuhan last his experience from last selection for this first fight with his incredible month, he will be year’s run to the TWC TWC. fighting spirit. looking to continue his semi-finals to aid the rich vein of form with team. his unorthodox style of play.

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Sweden Seed: 5

Kristian KARLSSON Jon PERSSON Anton KALLBERG Elias RANEFUR WR 14 18 21 29 Age 24 29 27 22 Hand Right Right Right Left Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Brazil Seed: 6

Gustavo TSUBOI Victor ISHIY Eric JOUTI WR 28 77 85 Age 35 24 23 Hand Left Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Chinese Taipei Seed: 7

LIN Yun-Ju CHEN Chien-An LIAO Cheng-Ting PENG Wang-Wei WANG Tai-Wei WR 10 47 116 145 191 Age 18 28 23 23 23 Hand Left Left Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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Austria Seed: 8

Robert GARDOS Daniel HABESOHN Andreas LEVENKO WR 33 43 81 159 Age 40 33 31 21 Hand Right Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

England Seed: 9

Liam PITCHFORD Sam WALKER Tom JARVIS WR 19 79 90 169 Age 25 29 24 19 Hand Right Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Nigeria Seed: 10

ARUNA Quadri OMOTAYO Olajide ABIODUN Bode SOLANKE Azeez WR 20 88 158 768 Age 31 24 39 17 Hand Right Right Right Left Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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USA Seed: 11

Kanak JHA ZHANG Kai FENG Yijun WR 26 213 746 Age 19 22 22 Hand Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Pen-hold

Australia Seed: 12

Kane TOWNSEND Dillion CHAMBERS Xavier DIXON WR 225 767 769 Age 26 22 20 Hand Left Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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Women’s Team Bio

China Seed: 1

CHEN Meng WR 1 2 3 5 6 Age 25 28 19 20 29 Hand Right Right Right Right Left Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting Chen has been almost 2 of the biggest table Sun’s rise in the By her own standards, One of the most story unstoppable this year, tennis title in the bag for Women’s games is Wang is experience a decorated players in having won multiple titles Liu in 2019, claiming the nothing short of less productive year in history of the Women’s this year to propel her to WWC title along with the amazing. She became 2019 having won 3 WT game, Ding Ning has won World Championship world No. 3 for the first everything but continues the top of the World titles in 2018. However, crown she won earlier in time in her career in Ranking list once again. to fight. No victories to the year. She will want to November 2019 and is she has been ever show for 2019 so far, the Having won all her WS keep the momentum just behind present and is still a TWC title could be a finals in the WT this year, going by winning in in number of WT titles mighty competitor in welcomed addition to the she has a good track Tokyo as well. won this year. the Women’s game. trophy cabinet. record of saving the best for last and making it count when necessary

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Japan Seed: 2

Mima ITO Sato HITOMI WR 7 8 10 19 Age 25 28 19 20 Hand Right Left Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Defending, Shake-hand Interesting The biggest challenger to the Having been the driving force Hirano shocked the world in The only chopper in this Story Chinese dominance, Ito is a for the Japanese team for so 2017 when she won a major Japanese team, Hitomi’s style fierce competitor who is long, Ishikawa has since been title by beating 3 incredibly of play makes it tough for currently the leading women for made to take the back seat in strong opponents. Known as anyone and may prove the the Japanese team. Her recent events, failing to hit top the “hurricane”, her speed of secret weapon Japan needs to variation and ability to mix her form thus far this year. play on table requires her play up keeps opponents However, with a spot in the opponent to always be at their overcome their opponents. guessing. Olympics team on the line, she best just to keep up with her. will continue to look for the break through.

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Chinese Taipei Seed: 3

CHENG I-Ching CHEN Szu-Yu CHEN Hsien-Tzu LIU Hsing-Yin SU Pei-Ling WR 11 27 56 81 143 Age 27 26 26 32 19 Hand Right Right Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting Having been in the Top Chen was part of the Also part of the team Helping the team to the The only new face in this story 10 until recently, Cheng team that competed in that competed in quarter-final stage in Chinese Taipei team that is one of the Top players London in 2018 and will London 2018, Chen is a London 2018, Liu is a did not compete in in the world. Participating be looking to go one step valuable member of the regular on international London 2018, Su will be further in Tokyo Chinese Taipei team. looking to prove her in her 2nd TWC of her events and is more than worth in Tokyo. career, she will be capable of competing looking to go one step with the best. further in Tokyo

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Hong Kong, China Seed: 4

DOO Hoi Kem SOO Wai Yam Minnie LEE Ho Ching Ng Wing Nam ZHU Chengzhu WR 14 29 38 78 92 Age 22 21 26 27 22 Hand Right Right Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting Doo is a veteran on the Soo has the ability to Having made several Similar to Lee, Ng has Zhu is making her debut story international scene turn it up when needed TWC Semi-final also formed part of the appearance at the TWC despite being only 22. as proven by her 2018 appearance, Lee will team that made it to and will be looking to Having competed at the WTTC victory against want to make it one several TWC Semi- justify her selection in Ding Ning in Halmstad. further and feature in Tokyo. highest level, she is finals. At 27, she is the She will need to be at her the finals. expected to lead a young best again in Tokyo. eldest in the team and Hong Kong, China team. will need to use her experience to help her younger teammates.

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Korea Republic Seed: 5

SUH Hyowon JEON Jihee CHOI Hyojoo YANG Haeun WR 16 20 68 76 96 Age 32 27 21 25 15 Hand Right Left Left Right Right Playing info Defending, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Romania Seed: 6

Bernadette SZOCS Elizabeta SAMARA Adina DIACONU Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN WR 18 28 130 136 Age 24 30 20 31 Hand Right Left Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

USA Seed: 7

Lily ZHANG WU Yue Amy WANG WR 33 37 171 Age 23 29 17 Hand Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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Ukraine Seed: 8

Margaryta PESOTSKA Ganna GAPONOVA Tetyana BILENKO Solomiya BRATEYKO WR 35 63 82 194 Age 28 34 35 20 Hand Right Right Right Left Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Austria Seed: 9

Sofia POLCANOVA Amelie SOLJA Karoline MISCHEK WR 17 74 145 147 Age 25 29 21 37 Hand Left Right Left Left Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Egypt Seed: 10

Dina MESHREF Yousra HELMY Reem EL-ERAKY Farah ABDEL-AZIZ Marwa ALHODABY WR 36 99 119 138 465 Age 25 23 24 27 19 Hand Left Right Left Right Right Playing info Defending, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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Brazil Seed: 11

Bruna TAKAHASHI Jessica YAMADA Caroline KUMAHARA WR 51 148 152 Age 19 30 24 Hand Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Vanuatu Seed: 12

Priscila TOMMY Stephanie QWEA Anolyn LULU WR 296 296 508 Age 28 25 40 Hand Right Right Right Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Defending, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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Tournament Facts

This is the first time that Japan is hosting the TWC since the 1990 edition in Chiba USA has the youngest men’s team at an average age of 21 years old, and Japan with the youngest women’s team at an average age of 21.3 years old. Germany has the oldest men’s team at an average age of 32 years old, and Vanuatu with the oldest women’s team at an average age of 31 years old. Shin Yubin (KOR) is the youngest female player at 15 years old, while Harimoto Tomokazu (JPN) is the youngest male player at 16 years old. This edition of the TWC will serve as the test event for Tokyo 2020 Olympics Hashtags for the event are #ITTFWorldCup, #LiftTheCup, #Tokyo2019.

ITTF.com

Make sure you follow the Zen-noh 2019 Team World Cup on ITTF.com to obtain the following:

• Live streaming • Players Head to Head • Photos for editorial use • Upcoming ITTF calendar • Schedule • List of Teams • Seeding List • ITTF Social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Weibo | Youtube • Everything you need to do with International Table Tennis!

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