Görkem won singles bronze and Ladimir doubles gold in Metz
compass-supported Ladimir Mayorov sensationally captured the U15 boys’ doubles title at the WTT Youth Star Contender Metz, held from April 17–19. Teaming up with fellow compass-supported Adela Brhelova, the pair also reached the semifinals of the U15 mixed doubles.
Görkem Öcal from Türkiye finished in the top 8 of the U19 singles and reached the semifinals of the U15 singles. He also advanced to the final of the U19 doubles event.
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Görkem Öcal delivered an impressive performance at the WTT Youth Star Contender Metz. The 14-year-old reached the quarterfinals of the U19 singles, advanced to the semifinals of the U15 singles, and finished runner-up in the U19 doubles alongside compatriot Kenan Kahraman. Photo: WTT Global.
The WTT Youth Series consists of around 70 tournaments each year across the globe. More than 60 of them are Youth Contenders, while seven events hold the higher status of Youth Star Contender tournaments, awarding increased ranking points. Above them all stands one Youth Smash tournament, the most prestigious level of the series.
Youth Star Contenders bring together a selected group of highly ranked players, creating exceptionally strong draws. Metz was no exception. China sent many of its top youth talents, as did Korea Republic, with Japan being the only major Asian nation absent.
Görkem top 8 in U19
Three compass-supported talents competed in Metz: Görkem Öcal, Ladimir Mayorov and Adela Brhelova.
Still only 14 years old, Görkem impressed in the U19 event by winning his qualification group after one defeat to Rafal Formula, while claiming victories over Nathan Pilard and Nazarii Solodkyi.
In the knockout stage, Görkem defeated Robert Istrate in straight games in the round of 16 before falling to Ivan Kahn 1:3 in the quarterfinals.
…and third in U15
In the U15 competition, Görkem once again topped his qualification group with a dominant display. In the playoffs, he first faced fellow compass athlete Ladimir Mayorov, who had finished second in his group after defeating Yu Yiyang and Lucas Simon. Görkem won the all-compass clash 3:1.
He then beat Nolan Johnston in straight games before losing in the semifinals to the one-year-younger Chinese talent Chen Yizhou 8:11, 4:11, 5:11. Chen later went on to defeat U15 world number one Lee Seungsoo of Korea Republic in the final.
In the U19 doubles event, Görkem reached the final together with compatriot Kenan Kahraman. The Turkish pair eventually lost to China’s Li Hechen/Yu Haiyang 0:3 in the final.
“I have been coming to this tournament for five years, and this year the level was very high and challenging,” said Gökmen Öcal, Görkem’s father and coach.
“Görkem was generally playing well and showed improvement in his level. At times he had some knee pain, but he tried to do his best and fought well. We are satisfied with the result. Now we are looking forward to the World Team Championships in London.”
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Ladimir Mayorov, left, and Hubert Kwiecinski on their way to victory in Metz. Photo: WTT
Ladimir won doubles
In the U15 doubles event, Ladimir Mayorov teamed up with Poland’s Hubert Kwiecinski, and the newly formed pair sensationally went all the way to the title.
On their road to the final, they defeated China’s Zhang Heiliang / Lai Hongrui 3:2, before overcoming another Chinese duo, Xu Minghao/Yu Yiyang, 3:1 in the final.
“The doubles events became one of the highlights for Ladimir at these tournaments,” said Eduard Mayorov. “The decision to play boys’ doubles with Kwiecinski was spontaneous, but it proved to be a good one. The pair showed strong understanding and teamwork, which led to victory.”
“It was also nice to see the experienced player Lucjan Błaszczyk alongside me, with whom I used to compete. He also shared valuable advice during the matches. This highlights the importance of passing knowledge from one generation to another.”
…and was top four with Adela in mixed
In the U15 mixed doubles event, Ladimir Mayorov partnered fellow compass-supported Adela Brhelova. The pair, both only 12 years old, reached the semifinals.
In the quarterfinals, they defeated China’s Yu Yiyang/Sun Xiaowei in straight games, before losing in the semifinals to eventual champions Lee Seungsoo/Lee Yeseo of Korea Republic.
Görkem Öcal also claimed a top 8 finish in mixed doubles, partnering compatriot Ela Yonter.
“The mixed doubles were also very competitive for Ladimir and Adela,” Eduard Mayorov continued. “The pair managed to beat a strong Chinese team but lost to the Korean pair, who later went on to win the tournament.”
An interesting fact: Ladimir faced the same Chinese opponent, Yu Yiyang, in all three events — singles, mixed doubles, and the boys’ doubles final — and won every encounter.
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Adela Brhelova in action at the WTT Youth Star Contender event in Metz, France. Photo: WTT
Adela top 8 in U15 doubles
Adela Brhelova also enjoyed a strong U15 doubles campaign, reaching the quarterfinals together with compatriot Laura Marsickova.
In the U15 singles event, however, Adela was unable to progress to the knockout stage after losing both of her group matches.
More information and all results can be found at:
Görkem won singles bronze and Ladimir doubles gold in Metz
Görkem won singles bronze and Ladimir doubles gold in Metz
compass-supported Ladimir Mayorov sensationally captured the U15 boys’ doubles title at the WTT Youth Star Contender Metz, held from April 17–19. Teaming up with fellow compass-supported Adela Brhelova, the pair also reached the semifinals of the U15 mixed doubles.
Görkem Öcal from Türkiye finished in the top 8 of the U19 singles and reached the semifinals of the U15 singles. He also advanced to the final of the U19 doubles event.
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Görkem Öcal delivered an impressive performance at the WTT Youth Star Contender Metz. The 14-year-old reached the quarterfinals of the U19 singles, advanced to the semifinals of the U15 singles, and finished runner-up in the U19 doubles alongside compatriot Kenan Kahraman. Photo: WTT Global.
The WTT Youth Series consists of around 70 tournaments each year across the globe. More than 60 of them are Youth Contenders, while seven events hold the higher status of Youth Star Contender tournaments, awarding increased ranking points. Above them all stands one Youth Smash tournament, the most prestigious level of the series.
Youth Star Contenders bring together a selected group of highly ranked players, creating exceptionally strong draws. Metz was no exception. China sent many of its top youth talents, as did Korea Republic, with Japan being the only major Asian nation absent.
Görkem top 8 in U19
Three compass-supported talents competed in Metz: Görkem Öcal, Ladimir Mayorov and Adela Brhelova.
Still only 14 years old, Görkem impressed in the U19 event by winning his qualification group after one defeat to Rafal Formula, while claiming victories over Nathan Pilard and Nazarii Solodkyi.
In the knockout stage, Görkem defeated Robert Istrate in straight games in the round of 16 before falling to Ivan Kahn 1:3 in the quarterfinals.
…and third in U15
In the U15 competition, Görkem once again topped his qualification group with a dominant display. In the playoffs, he first faced fellow compass athlete Ladimir Mayorov, who had finished second in his group after defeating Yu Yiyang and Lucas Simon. Görkem won the all-compass clash 3:1.
He then beat Nolan Johnston in straight games before losing in the semifinals to the one-year-younger Chinese talent Chen Yizhou 8:11, 4:11, 5:11. Chen later went on to defeat U15 world number one Lee Seungsoo of Korea Republic in the final.
In the U19 doubles event, Görkem reached the final together with compatriot Kenan Kahraman. The Turkish pair eventually lost to China’s Li Hechen/Yu Haiyang 0:3 in the final.
“I have been coming to this tournament for five years, and this year the level was very high and challenging,” said Gökmen Öcal, Görkem’s father and coach.
“Görkem was generally playing well and showed improvement in his level. At times he had some knee pain, but he tried to do his best and fought well. We are satisfied with the result. Now we are looking forward to the World Team Championships in London.”
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Ladimir Mayorov, left, and Hubert Kwiecinski on their way to victory in Metz. Photo: WTT
Ladimir won doubles
In the U15 doubles event, Ladimir Mayorov teamed up with Poland’s Hubert Kwiecinski, and the newly formed pair sensationally went all the way to the title.
On their road to the final, they defeated China’s Zhang Heiliang / Lai Hongrui 3:2, before overcoming another Chinese duo, Xu Minghao/Yu Yiyang, 3:1 in the final.
“The doubles events became one of the highlights for Ladimir at these tournaments,” said Eduard Mayorov. “The decision to play boys’ doubles with Kwiecinski was spontaneous, but it proved to be a good one. The pair showed strong understanding and teamwork, which led to victory.”
“It was also nice to see the experienced player Lucjan Błaszczyk alongside me, with whom I used to compete. He also shared valuable advice during the matches. This highlights the importance of passing knowledge from one generation to another.”
…and was top four with Adela in mixed
In the U15 mixed doubles event, Ladimir Mayorov partnered fellow compass-supported Adela Brhelova. The pair, both only 12 years old, reached the semifinals.
In the quarterfinals, they defeated China’s Yu Yiyang/Sun Xiaowei in straight games, before losing in the semifinals to eventual champions Lee Seungsoo/Lee Yeseo of Korea Republic.
Görkem Öcal also claimed a top 8 finish in mixed doubles, partnering compatriot Ela Yonter.
“The mixed doubles were also very competitive for Ladimir and Adela,” Eduard Mayorov continued. “The pair managed to beat a strong Chinese team but lost to the Korean pair, who later went on to win the tournament.”
An interesting fact: Ladimir faced the same Chinese opponent, Yu Yiyang, in all three events — singles, mixed doubles, and the boys’ doubles final — and won every encounter.
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Adela Brhelova in action at the WTT Youth Star Contender event in Metz, France. Photo: WTT
Adela top 8 in U15 doubles
Adela Brhelova also enjoyed a strong U15 doubles campaign, reaching the quarterfinals together with compatriot Laura Marsickova.
In the U15 singles event, however, Adela was unable to progress to the knockout stage after losing both of her group matches.
More information and all results can be found at:
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