The teenage power was in full cry in the quarter-finals of WTT Star Contender Goa 2023 with Japanese siblings Tomokazu Harimoto and his younger sister Miwa, and French youngster Felix Lebrun booking their respective semi-finals spots in a sensational fashion.
The spectators drawn from various parts of the country, at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium have been treated to high-voltage table tennis at the first-ever WTT Star Contender event to be held in India and Goa it is, emerging as the much-loved venue for global sports tourism spectacles.
The last-eight stage was expected to be a fascinating phase as the business end of the WTT Star Contender Goa, rolls out. And the script matched the prediction to perfection as first 19-year-old Tomokazu outgunned 23-year old An Jaehyun of South Korea 3-1 (11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6) in what is a great indication of a fiery rivalry between two of the best attacking players in world table tennis.
Over in the women’s section, Tomokazu’s sister Miwa, 14, overcame a massive challenge from experienced Chinese, Qian Tianyi 3-1 (15-13, 13-11, 8-11, 11-8) in thrilling match that lasted 01:02:39. Thus creating history as the youngest semis – entrant and also making it a memorable day for the Harimoto family with both siblings going through to the last four stage.
French 16-year-old Felix Lebrun exhibited brilliant skills as he thwarted the top South Korean paddler Jang Woojin 3-2 in over one hour and 12 minutes.
Felix, with a penhold-grip, raced to a 11-7 success in the first game against the 27-year-old Jang. After a racy start, Felix made a flurry of unforced errors coupled with the experienced approach by Jang, the complexion of the match changed rapidly as Jang fought back to win next 2 games 11-9, 11-4.
Felix’s skillful makeup and never-say-die attitude was on display as he clawed his way back with some exceptional backhand attack, to win the remaining two games 11-7, 13-11 and with that the explosive quarter-final.
