Oh Sang Eun Heads Seedings as Group Draws are Released

Korean International Oh Sang Eun is not the only Korean heading up the top spots in the individual group stages of the Open Men's Singles for the NZ Senior Table Tennis Championships. Jong Eub Han, sitting 3rd on the TTNZ rating lists, will be entering the draw in strong contention. The seasoned Korean ex-pat player already made his mark at this year's South Island Championships where he showed very few signs of slowing down in defeating Phillip Xiao in straight sets in the final. Mirek Janča slips in as the 5th seed for the event pushing John Cordue back to the top of the 6th group. 

Jong Eub Han on the left
Image from TTC

Men's Seeds

1. Oh Sangeun (Korea)

2. Teng Teng Liu (Auckland)

3. Jong Eub Han (Canterbury)

4. Phillip Xiao (Auckland)

5. Mirek Janča (Otago)

6. John Cordue (Auckland)

7. Ivo Mikulec (Canterbury)

8. Oliver Scarlett (Auckland)

9. Yi-Sien Lin (Canterbury)

10. Malcolm Darroch (Canterbury)

All in all for the men's draw it's a strong mix of Auckland and Canterbury heading the tops of the groups and it will certainly be entertaining to see if upsets occur, particularly for the 2nd qualification spot in each group.

In the women's draws Timea Tapai rests comfortably in the top spot, notably no Li Chunli entered in the event which clarifies that question for those asking. Jung Mi Kim sits in 3rd seed position but we will have to see if Vicky Yang is up to the defensive challenge should the seeds play out and perhaps we will have a repeat of 2002 and an expedite rule with 2 choppers in the final? Sophie Shu leads the 4th group and will face a strong challenge from Sara Hu. No doubt some very interesting groups in that event.

Women's Seeds

1. Timea Tapai (Canterbury)

2. Vicky Yang (Auckland)

3. Jung Mi Kim (Auckland)

4. Sophie Shu (Auckland)

The draws for the individuals can be found on Canterbury Table Tennis Association's website HERE and there you can also find the team draws under the tournament tab, for those who have been patiently waiting.