2012 London Olympic Games - No All China Singapore Semi Finals

Singapore's dream of a all China - Singapore Semi Finals in the Women's doubles event was crushed by Japan's 19 year old Ishikawa Kasumi. She defeated Wang Yuegu 8-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8, 11-4.

In the past 4 years, Wang beat Ishikawa 2 out of the 3 times they met. Today, the odds was 50-50. Wang captured the first game, but Ishikawa never looked back. Ishikawa increased her speed and attack from both wings to clinch the next 4 sets.

Our hopes now lie in the hands of Feng Tianwei who will take on China's Ding Ning in the Semi Finals.

2012 London Olympic Games - Wang Hao Too Good for Gao Ning

Gao Ning already did his best and he has only his luck to blame for such an unlucky draw.

Gao Ning played extremely well, but China's Wang Hao was even better. Gao faltered 9-11, 7-11, 9-11, 11-7, 3-11.

Gao Ning may meet Wang Hao again in the team event where Singapore is expected to meet the mighty China in the 2nd round of the Men's Team event.

Will Gao Ning be able to take revenge?

2012 London Olympic Games - Upset

The Men's Team suffered another blow yesterday following an unlucky draw in both the Men's Singles and Team draws. Yang Zi lost to host nation's Paul Drinkhall in five games 11-7, 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9.

Perhaps it was Yang's first match, facing a whole stadium that was supporting Paul, Yang Zi appeared nervous. He made many unforced errors. On the other hand, Paul played with confidence, and was much consistent throughout the match.

Yang Zi's best result was in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games where he caused an upset to reach the round of 16.

2012 London Olympic Games - Draws

Click on the links below to find out the draws!

Men's Singles
http://www.ittf.com/competitions/matches_per_round_OG_m.asp?competition_ID=2003&rnd=32&s_Event_Type=MSQ

Women's Singles
http://www.ittf.com/competitions/matches_per_round_OG_w.asp?competition_ID=2003&rnd=32&s_Event_Type=WSQ

Men's Team
http://www.ittf.com/ittf_team_events/2ndStage/teams_2nd_stage_16_positions_wjc.asp?Tour_Code=2003&Event_Type=MSTM2

Women's Team
http://www.ittf.com/ittf_team_events/2ndStage/teams_2nd_stage_16_positions_wjc.asp?Tour_Code=2003&Event_Type=WSTM2

What do you think of the draws?

2012 London Olympic Games - Draws

The 2012 London Olympic Games Men's and Women's Singles draw will be conducted at 1400 hours on wednesday 25 July 2012 local time (2100 hours Singapore time).

Know Thy Enemy - Ding Ning

In our last post of the Know Thy Enemy Series, we will be introducing to you the reigning World Champion and World No. 1, China's Ding Ning.

Ding Ning has shown immense potential since young. In 2005, she participated in her first World Junior Table Tennis Championships and brought home 3 out of the 4 gold medals (Team, Singles & Doubles). She went on to win her first pro tour title at the age of 18. In that same year, she is already a world champion.

Ding Ning welcomed the peak of her career in 2011 when she won the World Championships and World Cup for the first time. She is only 22 this year and will be Singapore's main opponent in many years to come.

Name: Ding Ning
Date of Birth: 20 June 1990
Place of Birth: Heilongjiang, China
Nationality: Chinese
Current World Ranking: 1
Best World Ranking: 1 (November 2011)
Playing Style: Left Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Inverted

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (4 wins, 0 loss)
2011 Women's World Cup – Win
2011 Austrian Open – Win
2010 Asian Cup – Win
2009 Asian Championships – Win

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (12 wins, 1 loss)
2012 Korea Open – Win
2012 World Team Championships – Win
2011 World Team Cup – Win
2011 Women's World Cup – Win
2011 World Championships – Win
2011 English Open – Win
2010 World Team Championships – Loss
2010 Asian Cup – Win
2009 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Win
2009 Asian Championships – Win
2009 World Team Cup – Win
2009 China VS World Challenge – Win
2009 Asian Cup – Win

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 0 loss)
2011 Women's World Cup – Win

Know Thy Enemy - Li Jiao

Li Jiao is a left handed pen holder. She plays with a inverted forehand rubber. Surprising to many, Li Jiao has a backhand rubber as well, although she only uses one side of the racket. Despite her age, Li Jiao is the reigning European Champion. In 2011, she brought her team to win the European Championships for the third time as well.

The 2012 London Olympic Games will be Li's second Olympic Games. In her previous appearance in Beijing, she made it to the round of 16 losing to China's Guo Yue.

Name: Li Jiao
Date of Birth: 15 January 1973
Place of Birth: Qingdao, China
Nationality: Netherlands
Current World Ranking: 20
Best World Ranking: 10 (January 2011)
Playing Style: Left Handed, Penhold, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (1 win, 3 losses)
2011 Women's World Cup – Loss
2010 World Team Championships – Loss
2009 Women's World Cup – Win
2008 Polish Open – Loss

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (2 wins, 2 losses)
2012 World Team Championships – Win
2011 Volkswagen Cup – Win
2008 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Loss
2008 Women's World Cup – Loss

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (0 win, 1 loss)
2011 Women's World Cup – Loss

Know Thy Enemy - Hirano Sayaka

Hirano Sayaka has no less than 4 pro tour titles under her belt, equalling Feng Tianwei's record thus far. This month, Hirano will be making her second olympic appearance. In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Japan finished fourth behind China, Singapore and South Korea. Hirano played a pivotal role then, playing in both the singles and doubles matches in most games.

Name: Hirano Sayaka
Date of Birth: 24 March 1985
Place of Birth: Kanuma, Tochigi, Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Current World Ranking: 18
Best World Ranking: 10 (August 2011)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Inverted

Major Sporting Achievements:
2004 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2006 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2008 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2009 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Bronze
2010 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Bronze
2011 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Silver

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (4 wins, 2 losses)
2012 Korea Open – Win
2011 Asian Cup - Loss
2011 Japan Open – Loss
2011 German Open – Win
2010 German Open – Win
2009 German Open – Win

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (0 win, 3 losses)
2012 Asian Championships – Loss
2011 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2011 Korea Open – Loss
2010 Kuwait Open – Loss

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (2 wins, 0 loss)
2012 Asian Championships – Win
2010 Asian Games – Win

Know Thy Enemy - Guo Yue

Guo Yue entered the Chinese National Team in 2000. 4 years later, she partnered Niu Jianfeng to participate in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games Women's Doubles Event. Guo Yue may well be ranked 8 in the world as of July 2012, but that is definitely not a reflection of her level of play.

Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia formed the best doubles pair in the world. In 2011, they have won every single competition that they entered (excluding those that they withdrew).

The London Olympic Games will be Guo Yue's 3rd appearance. She will only be participating in the Women's Team Event.

Name: Guo Yue
Date of Birth: 17 July 1988
Place of Birth: Liaoning, China
Nationality: People's Republic of China
Current World Ranking: 8
Best World Ranking: 1 (January 2008)
Playing Style: Left Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Inverted

Major Sporting Achievements:
2004 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Gold
2004 Olympic Games – Women's Doubles – Bronze
2006 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Gold
2007 World Championships – Women’s Singles – Silver
2007 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Silver
2007 Women’s World Cup – Bronze
2007 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Gold
2008 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Gold
2008 Olympic Games – Women's Team – Gold
2008 Olympic Games – Women's Singles – Bronze
2009 World Championships – Women’s Singles – Bronze

2009 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Gold

2009 Women’s World Cup – Silver

2009 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Gold
2010 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Silver
2010 Women’s World Cup – Bronze
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Gold

2011 World Championships – Women’s Singles – Silver

2011 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Gold

2011 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Gold

2012 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Gold

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (3 wins, 0 loss)

2011 Qatar Open – Win
2010 World Team Cup  – Win
2009 Women's World Cup – Win

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (6 wins, 1 loss)
2012 Asian Championships – Win
2010 Women's World Cup – Win
2009 Women's World Cup – Win
2009 Asian Cup – Win
2009 World Championships – Win
2008 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Win
2008 Women's World Cup – Loss

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (4 wins, 0 loss)
2012 World Team Championships – Win
2012 Asian Championships – Win
2011 Asian Cup – Win
2010 Asian Games – Win

Know Thy Enemy - Park Mi Young

Park Mi Young is one of South Korea's leading chopper. Playing inverted on the forehand and long pimples on the backhand, she form the best defensive doubles pair with Kim Kyung Ah. The duo has won numerous pro tour titles and medals at the world championships.

As a singles player, Park consistent play saw her winning 2 singles pro tour titles in her career and has been invited to the annual Women's World Cup since 2009 (she was invited in 2011 but withdrew).

Name: Park Mi Young
Date of Birth: 17 November 1981
Place of Birth: Daegu, Republic of Korea
Nationality: Republic of Korea
Current World Ranking: 33
Best World Ranking: 8 (February 2010)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Defensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Long Pimples

Major Sporting Achievements:
2007 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2007 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Silver
2008 Olympic Games – Women’s Team – Bronze
2009 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2011 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2012 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (0 win, 1 loss)
2010 Kuwait Open – Loss
Name: Park Mi Young
Date of Birth: 17 November 1981
Place of Birth: Daegu, Republic of Korea
Nationality: Republic of Korea
Current World Ranking: 33
Best World Ranking: 8 (February 2010)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Defensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Long Pimples

Major Sporting Achievements:
2007 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2007 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Silver
2008 Olympic Games – Women’s Team – Bronze
2009 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2011 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2012 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (0 win, 1 loss)
2010 Kuwait Open – Loss
Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (1 wins, 4 losses)
2009 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Loss
2009 Polish Open – Win
2009 English Open – Loss
2009 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2009 World Championships – Loss

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 2 losses)
2012 Korea Open – Loss
2010 China Open – Win
2010 Korea Open – Loss
Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (1 wins, 4 losses)
2009 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Loss
2009 Polish Open – Win
2009 English Open – Loss
2009 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2009 World Championships – Loss

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 2 losses)
2012 Korea Open – Loss
2010 China Open – Win
2010 Korea Open – Loss

Know Thy Enemy - Li Xiaoxia

Li Xiaoxia entered the Chinese National Team in 2003. Currently, she trains under Li Sun whom was also the mentor of Beijing Olympic Games Double Gold Medalist Zhang Yining. Li Xiaoxia missed out the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to Zhang Yining, Wang Nan and Guo Yue, but that was already history. Today, Li is a strong contender for both the Women's Singles and Women's Team Gold in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Name: Li Xiaoxia
Date of Birth: 16 January 1988
Place of Birth: Liaoning, China
Nationality: People's Republic of China
Current World Ranking: 3
Best World Ranking: 1 (November 2008)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Inverted

Major Sporting Achievements:
2006 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Gold
2007 World Championships – Women’s Singles – Silver
2007 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Silver
2007 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Gold
2008 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Gold
2008 Women’s World Cup – Gold

2009 World Championships – Women’s Singles – Bronze

2009 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Gold

2009 Women’s World Cup – Bronze

2009 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Gold
2010 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Silver
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Gold

2011 World Championships – Women’s Singles – Silver

2011 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Gold

2011 Women’s World Cup – Silver

2011 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Gold
2012 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Gold

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (5 wins, 0 loss)

2012 World Team Championships – Win
2011 Women's World Cup – Win
2010 Asian Games  – Win
2010 China Open – Win
2008 Women's World Cup – Win

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (5 wins, 0 loss)
2011 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Win
2010 Asian Games – Win
2009 Women's World Cup – Win
2008 Tournament of Champions – Win
2008 Women's World Cup – Win

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (3 wins, 0 loss)
2012 Asian Championships – Win
2012 Hungarian Open – Win
2011 English Open – Win

Know Thy Enemy - Shen Yanfei

Similar to Singapore's Li Jiawei, Shen Yanfei is already a mother.

Shen began learning table tennis at the age of 6 and entered the Chinese National Team in 1994. She moved on to Italy in 1998 before representing Spain in 2000.

Currently ranked 17th in the world, the left handed player has a very good solution against our Singaporean paddlers. She recorded 100% winning streak against Wang Yuegu and Li Jiawei in the past four years. Even Feng Tianwei has more losses than wins against this Spanish lady.

Name: Shen Yanfei
Date of Birth: 24 December 1979
Place of Birth: Hebei, China
Nationality: Spanish
Current World Ranking: 17
Best World Ranking: 15 (Sept 2010)
Playing Style: Left Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Short Pimples
Backhand: Inverted

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (1 win, 0 loss)
2012 Japan Open – Win

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (3 wins, 1 loss)
2012 Spanish Open – Win
2010 China Open – Loss
2010 Korea Open – Win
2010 World Team Championships – Win

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 0 loss)
2010 Korea Open – Win

Know Thy Enemy - Jiang Huajun

Jiang Huajun began learning table tennis at the age of 6. She entered the Chinese National Team in 2000 and moved to Hong Kong 5 years later. Together with Tie Yana, they form the backbone of the Hong Kong National Team.

Jiang has one of the best backhand in the table tennis arena. Her backhand is strong and powerful. She defeated former World No. 1 and Olympic Champion Zhang Yining four times in a row and has been widely regarded as "张怡宁克星".

Name: Jiang Huajun
Date of Birth: 8 October 1984
Place of Birth: Shandong, China
Nationality: Hong Kong China
Current World Ranking: 20
Best World Ranking: 7 (July 2007)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Short Pimples

Major Sporting Achievements:
2008 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2009 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2009 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2010 Women’s World Cup – Silver
2011 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2011 World Championships – Mixed Doubles – Bronze
2011 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2012 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (2 wins, 2 losses)
2011 Asian Cup – Win
2011 World Championships – Win
2010 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2009 Asian Championships – Loss

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (0 win, 5 losses)
2011 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2010 Volkswagen Cup – Loss
2009 Asian Championships – Loss
2009 Korea Open – Loss
2009 Asian Cup – Loss

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 2 losses)
2011 Asian Cup – Win
2011 Qatar Open – Loss
2008 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Loss

Know Thy Enemy - Wu Jiaduo

Wu Jiaduo began learning table tennis at the age 7. In 1995, Wu became Zhejiang provincial champion. She relocated to Germany in 1998 to further her table tennis career. The Germany's top player may not have won many major titles in her career but her consistent performance sees her being ranked in the top 20 since February 2011.

Name: Wu Jiaduo
Date of Birth: 19 September 1977
Place of Birth: Zhejiang, China
Nationality: German
Current World Ranking: 16
Best World Ranking: 11 (July 2010)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Short Pimples
Backhand: Inverted

Major Sporting Achievements:
2010 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (1 win, 3 losses)
2012 World Team Championships – Win
2011 Austrian Open – Loss
2010 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2010 World Team Championships – Loss

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (2 wins, 4 losses)
2012 World Team Championships – Loss
2011 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2011 China Open – Loss
2011 Slovenian Open – Win
2010 World Team Championships – Loss
2008 German Open – Win

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 0 loss)
2008 German Open – Win

Know Thy Enemy - Fukuhara Ai

Fukuhara Ai has been highly regarded as a "child prodigy" in Japan.  She created many records in her table tennis career. Fukuhara became a member of the Japanese National Team at the age of 11, the youngest in Japanese Table Tennis history. In 2002, she became the youngest-ever Japanese representative for the Asian Games. In 2004, at the age of 15, Fukuhara together with China's Guo Yue, became the youngest ever female table tennis player to participate in the Olympic Games.

Name: Fukuhara Ai
Date of Birth: 1 November 1988
Place of Birth: Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Current World Ranking: 7 Best World Ranking: 7 (April 2011)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Short Pimples

Major Sporting Achievements:
2004 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2005 Women’s World Cup – Women’s Singles – Bronze
2006 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2008 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2009 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Bronze
2010 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Bronze
2011 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Silver

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (2 wins, 3 losses)
2010 Asian Games (Singles) – Win
2010 Asian Games (Team) – Loss
2010 World Team Cup – Loss
2010 Korea Open - Loss
2010 Kuwait Open – Win

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (1 win, 8 losses)
2012 Brazil Open – Loss
2012 Asian Championships – Loss
2011 Japan Open – Loss
2010 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Loss
2010 Asian Games – Loss
2010 Volkswagen Cup – Loss
2009 World Team Cup – Loss
2009 China Open – Loss
2009 Asian Cup - Win

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (3 wins, 1 loss)
2012 Brazil Open – Win
2011 Austrian Open – Win
2011 UAE Open – Win
2010 World Team Cup - Loss

Know Thy Enemy - Tie Yana

2001 World University Games, Tie Yana surprised everybody by defeating China National Team player Zhang Yining and Niu Jianfeng to clinch the Women's Singles Gold Medal. Once again, She became the media's attention at the 2002 Asian Games when she won the Mixed Doubles Gold.

Her first coach described her as being hardworking and has a good feel of the ball. She has never complained about feeling tired during training.

Tie Yana has won many medals in the international arena but the olympic games medal prove exclusive to her.

Name: Tie Yana
Date of Birth: 13 May 1979
Place of Birth: Henan, China
Nationality: Hong Kong China
Current World Ranking: 10
Best World Ranking: 3 (July 2006)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Inverted

Major Sporting Achievements:
2002 Women’s World Cup – Bronze
2004 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Silver
2004 Women’s World Cup – Bronze
2005 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2006 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Silver
2007 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2008 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2008 Women’s World Cup – Silver
2009 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2009 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2011 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2011 Women’s World Cup – Bronze
2011 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2012 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (2 wins, 0 loss)
2010 Women’s World Cup – Win
2009 Asian Championships - Win

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (4 wins, 4 losses)
2011 Women’s World Cup – Win
2011 World Championships – Loss
2010 Women’s World Cup – Win
2010 China Open – Loss
2009 Asian Championships – Win
2009 English Open – Loss
2009 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2008 Women’s World Cup – Win

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 0 loss)
2008 Women’s World Cup – Win

2012 London Olympic Games - Women's Singles Seeding

Women's Singles Seeding
1. Ding Ning (CHN) 
2. Li Xiaoxia (CHN) 
3. Kim Kyungah (KOR) 
4. Kasumi Ishikawa (JPN) 
5. Ai Fukuhara (JPN) 
6. Feng Tianwei (SIN) 
7. Tie Yana (HKG) 
8. Wang Yuegu (SIN) 
9. Wu Jiaduo (GER) 
10. Shen Yanfei (ESP) 
11. Jiang Huajun (HKG) 
11. Li Jiao (NED) 
13. Viktoria Pavlovich (BLR) 
14. Li Jie (NED) 
15. Li Qian (POL) 
16. Park Miyoung (KOR)
17. Ri Myong Sun (PRK) 
18. Daniela Dodean (ROU) 
19. Ni Xia Lian (LUX) 
20. Huang Yi-Hua (TPE) 
21. Liu Jia (AUT) 
22. Kristin Silbereisen (GER) 
23. Georgina Pota (HUN) 
24. Elizabeta Samara (ROU) 
25. Kim Jong (PRK) 
26. Margaryta Pesotska (UKR) 
27. Iveta Vacenoksa (CZE) 
28. Chen Szu-Yu (TPE) 
28. Anna Tokhomirova (RUS) 
30. Li Qiangbing (AUT) 
31. Natalia Partyka (POL) 
32. Li Xue (FRA)

2012 London Olympic Games - Men's Singles Seedings

Men's Singles Seeding
1. Zhang Jike (CHN)
2. Wang Hao (CHN)
3. Jun Mizutani (JPN)
4. Timo Boll (GER)
5. Chuang Chih-Yuan (TPE)
6. Joo Saehyuk (KOR)
7. Oh Sangeun (KOR)
8. Dimitrij Ovtcharov (GER)
9. Vladimir Samsonov (BLR)
10. Gao Ning (SIN)
11. Jiang Tianyi (HKG)
12. Seiya Kishikawa (JPN)
13. Michael Maze (DEN)
14. Adrien Mattenet (FRA)
15. Adrian Crisan (ROU)
16. Alexander Shibaev (RUS)
17. Marcos Freitas (POR) 
18. Chen Weixing (AUT) 
18. Tang Peng (HKG) 
20. Bojan Tokic (SLO) 
21. Panagiotis Gionis (GRE) 
22. João Monteiro (POR) 
23. Aleksandar Karakasevic (SRB) 
24. Alexey Smirnov (RUS) 
25. Werner Schlager (AUT) 
26. Yang Zi (SIN) 
27. GACINA Andrej (CRO) 
28. PRIMORAC Zoran (CRO) 
29. KREANGA Kalinikos (GRE) 
30. He Zhiwen (ESP) 
31. Bora Vang (TUR) 
32. Noshad Alamiyan (IRI)*
32. Kim Hyok Bong (PRK)*
32. Yaroslav Zhmudenko (UKR)*

Know Thy Enemy - Seok Ha Jung

Playing inverted rubbers on both sides, Seok Ha Jung is of Singapore's main opponent in the upcoming London Olympic Games. She may be relatively new on the international stage, but she is definitely not a force to be reckoned with. In less than a year, Seok rose from world number 32 to a career high of 12. At the recently concluded Brazil Open, Seok overturned Wang Yuegu to win 4-3.

Name: Seok Ha Jung
Date of Birth: 11 January 1985
Place of Birth: Liao Ning, China
Nationality: Republic of Korea
Current World Ranking: 19
Best World Ranking: 12 (January 2011)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Inverted

Major Sporting Achievements:
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2012 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (1 win, 2 losses)
2012 Brazil Open – Win
2012 World Team Championships – Loss
2010 Korea Open – Loss

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (0 wins, 3 losses)
2012 World Team Championships – Loss
2010 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Loss
2010 Asian Cup – Loss

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 1 loss)
2012 Asian Cup – Loss
2011 Polish Open – Win

2012 London Olympic Games - Send Off Ceremony for Team Singapore Paddlers

The Team Singapore Paddlers Will be Leaving for the London Olympic Games on Friday, 13 July 2012 via SQ 322.

And we would like to give our paddlers a warm send off to the World's largest sporting event. Please come and join us in this send-off ceremony on Friday, 13 July at 10pm.

Your support and cheers mean a lot to us and we look forward to you joining us in this send-off ceremony.

Source: STTA

2012 London Olympic Games - Team Seedings

Men's Team

1. China
2. Republic of Korea
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. Singapore
6. Hong Kong
7. Austria
8. Portugal
9. Russia
10. Sweden
11. Korea DPR
12. Brazil
13. Great Britain
14. Egypt
15. Canada
16. Australia

Women's Team

1. China
2. Japan
3. Singapore
4. Republic of Korea
5. Hong Kong
6. Germany
7. Netherlands
8. Korea DPR
9. Austria
10. Spain
11. Poland
12. United States of America
13. Great Britain
14. Australia
15. Brazil
16. Egypt

Know Thy Enemy - Ishikawa Kasumi

At the tender age of 13, Ishikawa began her professional table tennis career on the international stage. Participating in her first international tournament, she won a Bronze Medal in the singles event. She continued to excel, both in international and national competitions. She has no less than five Junior Girls titles and 2 Pro Tour titles under her belt. Back home, Ishikawa is the proud owner of 4 Junior Titles of the annual All Japan Table Tennis Championships from 2007 to 2011.

Name: Ishikawa Kasumi

Date of Birth: 23 February 1993
Place of Birth: Yamaguchi, Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Current World Ranking: 6
Best World Ranking: 5 (June 2012)
Playing Style: Left Handed, Classic, Offensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Inverted

Major Sporting Achievements:
2008 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2009 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Bronze
2010 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Bronze
2011 World Team Cup – Women’s Team – Silver

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (1 win, 2 losses)
2010 Asian Games – Win
2010 Japan Open – Loss
2009 World Team Cup – Loss

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (1 win, 3 losses)
2012 Asian Championships – Loss
2010 Asian Games – Loss
2010 World Team Cup – Win
2010 Kuwait Open – Loss

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (1 win, 1 loss)
2011 China Open – Win
2011 UAE Open – Loss

Know Thy Enemy - Kim Kyung Ah

In our first article of the Know Thy Enemy series, we will be introducing to you the highest ranked non-chinese paddler, Kim Kyung Ah!

Known as the world's best defensive player, Kim Kyung Ah has been constantly ranked as the world's top 20 player since 2003. Her consistent defensive play has caused misery to many notable players.

Partnering Park Mi Young in the doubles, they form one of the best doubles pair in the world. The duo has won many medals at world class events such as the World Championships and Pro Tour Grand Finals.

Name: Kim Kyung Ah
Date of Birth: 25 May 1977
Place of Birth: Daejeon, Republic of Korea
Nationality: Republic of Korea
Current World Ranking: 5
Best World Ranking: 4 (August 2010)
Playing Style: Right Handed, Classic, Defensive
Forehand: Inverted
Backhand: Long Pimples

Major Sporting Achievements:
2004 Olympic Games – Women’s Singles – Bronze
2007 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2007 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Silver
2008 Olympic Games – Women’s Team – Bronze
2009 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2010 World Team Cup – Women’s Team - Bronze
2011 World Championships – Women’s Doubles – Bronze
2012 World Team Championships – Women’s Team – Bronze

Statistics Against Wang Yuegu (0 win, 4 losses)
2012 World Team Championships – Loss
2010 Japan Open – Loss
2008 Pro Tour Grand Finals – Loss
2008 Women’s World Cup – Loss

Statistics Against Feng Tianwei (4 wins, 1 loss)
2012 Brazil Open – Win
2012 Japan Open – Win
2012 World Team Championships – Win
2009 Women’s World Cup – Loss
2009 China Open – Win

Statistics Against Li Jiawei (2 wins, 0 loss)
2012 Chile Open – Win

2010 Japan Open – Win

2012 ITTF July World Ranking

Men's Team

15 - Gao Ning

25 - Zhan Jian

54 - Yang Zi

55 - Li Hu

136 - Chen Feng

201 - Wu Zhikang

248 - Ma Liang

286 - Yu Jiaqing

297 - Han Liunisi

303 - Xin Zhaoxu 

367 - Pang Xue Jie

438 - Chew Zhe Yu Clarence

1430 - Poh Shao Feng Ethan

1475 - Lim Zheng Jie Edric

1478 - Tay Ming Han Maxxe

Women's Team

8 - Feng Tianwei 

11 - Wang Yuegu

15 - Li Jiawei 

27 - Yu Mengyu

31 - Sun Beibei

118 - Zhou Yihan

127 - Shan Xiao Na

155 - Li Siyun Isabelle

193 - Lin Ye 

387 - Sim Kai Xin Zena

525 - Ang Wan Qi

878 - Yee Herng Hwee

1076 - Wong Gladys

2012 London Olympic Games - Know Thy Enemy

As part of the lead up to the London Olympic Games, STTnews will be doing a write up on some of the main opponents of Team Singapore paddlers. They include Japan's Ishikawa Kasumi, South Korea's Kim Kyung Ah and many more!

Want to know more about the opponents? Stay tuned!