Ladimir Mayorov finishes runner-up in U17 on home soil
Twelve-year-old compass-supported Ladimir Mayorov attracted plenty of attention at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender, held from 5–8 May in Platja d’Aro, Spain. Competing on home soil, “Ladi” advanced all the way to the U17 final after, among other victories, defeating Poland’s Samuel Michna, the European No. 6 in the U17 category.
none
Ladimir Mayorov was very satisfied with his performance in front of the home crowd in Spain. Photo: WTT
Despite his young age, Ladimir competed in both the U19 and U17 events. In the U19 competition, he successfully progressed from the group stage after finishing second in his group. In the knockout stage, he defeated Austria’s Benjamin Girlinger in straight games before losing 1–3 to compatriot Dario Salcedo in the round of 32.
none
Ladimir Mayorov celebrates his impressive run to the U17 final on home soil in Platja d’Aro, Spain. Photo: WTT
Five-Gamer Against Compatriot
In the U17 event, Ladimir recorded wins over Philip Theisen of Luxembourg and Mateo Lois of Spain. The knockout stage began with a tough five-game battle against strong compatriot Roger Quesada. After trailing 0:2, Ladimir turned the match around in impressive fashion, winning 11:6 in the deciding game. Poland’s Felix Gulan posed little trouble in the next round (3:0), nor did Switzerland’s Lowis Vogler in the quarterfinals, where Ladimir again secured a convincing 3:0 victory.
“Overall, it was an interesting and tough tournament for Ladimir,” commented his father and coach, Eduard. “When you play at home, everyone expects a result from you. But Ladimir handled the pressure very well and delivered a strong performance.”
Semis against Michna
In the semifinals, Ladimir faced Samuel Michna of Poland, ranked No. 6 in Europe in the U17 category — a very strong opponent. Once again, Ladimir managed to come out on top. He took a 2:0 lead, then lost the next two games, including the fourth 10:12. However, he recovered brilliantly from the disappointment of that narrow loss and edged the deciding game 11:9 to book his place in the final.
none
Ladimir controls the ball from every distance to the table. Photo: WTT
Faced Europe’s No. 5
In the final, Ladimir faced another Polish player: Patryk Zyworonek, ranked among the top five in Europe in the U17 category. “Ladi” took the opening game 11:8, lost the second 1:11, responded strongly to win the third 11:3, and then narrowly dropped the evenly contested fourth game 9:11. In the decider, Zyworonek proved stronger, winning 11:7.
“This second place was unexpected given the high level of competition,” his father and coach, Eduard, continued. “At the same time, it shows that the preparation is moving in the right direction. It was particularly noticeable that Ladimir has become stronger both physically and technically. Against top U17 players such as the Poles in the semi-finals and final, Ladimir did not fall behind in either power or speed, and he was able to handle long rallies at a very high level.”
“I am very happy with this result,” Ladimir Mayorov stated.
none
Siri Benjegard of Sweden on her way to the U19 semifinals in Sarajevo. Photo: WTT
Siri Top Four in U19 in Sarajevo
Like Ladimir, compass-supported Swede Siri Benjegård, 14, also achieved an impressive result in an age category four years above her own at the World Youth Contender in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, held from 27–30 April.
In the round of 16, Siri defeated England’s Hanna Silcock 3:1. In the quarterfinals, she faced Poland’s Karolina Holda, ranked No. 6 in Europe in the U19 category. Early on, the match looked one-sided, with Siri losing the first two games 8:11, 4:11. The third game was extremely close, but Siri edged it 13:11. After that, the momentum completely shifted, and she cruised to victory with dominant 11:6 and 11:0 wins.
In the semifinals, Siri lost 1:3 to Croatia’s Lizett Fazekas despite leading in every game: 6:11, 10:12, 13:11, 8:11.
none
Siri in action in Sarajevo. Photo WTT
“Against Holda, it took some time for Siri to adjust to the Polish player’s long pimples, which were difficult to handle because Holda played at a high pace,” commented Siri’s coach and former European singles champion Li Fen. “But from the third game onwards, Siri played very well. She stayed patient and maintained her focus and concentration.”
In the U17 event, Siri advanced to the knockout stage, where she lost 1:3 to Liao Yixuan of Chinese Taipei in the round of 16.
“Liao was very fast and played close to the table,” Li Fen continued. “Siri had difficulties coping with the speed.”
More information and all results can be found at:
Ladimir Mayorov finishes runner-up in U17 on home soil
Ladimir Mayorov finishes runner-up in U17 on home soil
Twelve-year-old compass-supported Ladimir Mayorov attracted plenty of attention at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender, held from 5–8 May in Platja d’Aro, Spain. Competing on home soil, “Ladi” advanced all the way to the U17 final after, among other victories, defeating Poland’s Samuel Michna, the European No. 6 in the U17 category.
none
Ladimir Mayorov was very satisfied with his performance in front of the home crowd in Spain. Photo: WTT
Despite his young age, Ladimir competed in both the U19 and U17 events. In the U19 competition, he successfully progressed from the group stage after finishing second in his group. In the knockout stage, he defeated Austria’s Benjamin Girlinger in straight games before losing 1–3 to compatriot Dario Salcedo in the round of 32.
none
Ladimir Mayorov celebrates his impressive run to the U17 final on home soil in Platja d’Aro, Spain. Photo: WTT
Five-Gamer Against Compatriot
In the U17 event, Ladimir recorded wins over Philip Theisen of Luxembourg and Mateo Lois of Spain. The knockout stage began with a tough five-game battle against strong compatriot Roger Quesada. After trailing 0:2, Ladimir turned the match around in impressive fashion, winning 11:6 in the deciding game. Poland’s Felix Gulan posed little trouble in the next round (3:0), nor did Switzerland’s Lowis Vogler in the quarterfinals, where Ladimir again secured a convincing 3:0 victory.
“Overall, it was an interesting and tough tournament for Ladimir,” commented his father and coach, Eduard. “When you play at home, everyone expects a result from you. But Ladimir handled the pressure very well and delivered a strong performance.”
Semis against Michna
In the semifinals, Ladimir faced Samuel Michna of Poland, ranked No. 6 in Europe in the U17 category — a very strong opponent. Once again, Ladimir managed to come out on top. He took a 2:0 lead, then lost the next two games, including the fourth 10:12. However, he recovered brilliantly from the disappointment of that narrow loss and edged the deciding game 11:9 to book his place in the final.
none
Ladimir controls the ball from every distance to the table. Photo: WTT
Faced Europe’s No. 5
In the final, Ladimir faced another Polish player: Patryk Zyworonek, ranked among the top five in Europe in the U17 category. “Ladi” took the opening game 11:8, lost the second 1:11, responded strongly to win the third 11:3, and then narrowly dropped the evenly contested fourth game 9:11. In the decider, Zyworonek proved stronger, winning 11:7.
“This second place was unexpected given the high level of competition,” his father and coach, Eduard, continued. “At the same time, it shows that the preparation is moving in the right direction. It was particularly noticeable that Ladimir has become stronger both physically and technically. Against top U17 players such as the Poles in the semi-finals and final, Ladimir did not fall behind in either power or speed, and he was able to handle long rallies at a very high level.”
“I am very happy with this result,” Ladimir Mayorov stated.
none
Siri Benjegard of Sweden on her way to the U19 semifinals in Sarajevo. Photo: WTT
Siri Top Four in U19 in Sarajevo
Like Ladimir, compass-supported Swede Siri Benjegård, 14, also achieved an impressive result in an age category four years above her own at the World Youth Contender in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, held from 27–30 April.
In the round of 16, Siri defeated England’s Hanna Silcock 3:1. In the quarterfinals, she faced Poland’s Karolina Holda, ranked No. 6 in Europe in the U19 category. Early on, the match looked one-sided, with Siri losing the first two games 8:11, 4:11. The third game was extremely close, but Siri edged it 13:11. After that, the momentum completely shifted, and she cruised to victory with dominant 11:6 and 11:0 wins.
In the semifinals, Siri lost 1:3 to Croatia’s Lizett Fazekas despite leading in every game: 6:11, 10:12, 13:11, 8:11.
none
Siri in action in Sarajevo. Photo WTT
“Against Holda, it took some time for Siri to adjust to the Polish player’s long pimples, which were difficult to handle because Holda played at a high pace,” commented Siri’s coach and former European singles champion Li Fen. “But from the third game onwards, Siri played very well. She stayed patient and maintained her focus and concentration.”
In the U17 event, Siri advanced to the knockout stage, where she lost 1:3 to Liao Yixuan of Chinese Taipei in the round of 16.
“Liao was very fast and played close to the table,” Li Fen continued. “Siri had difficulties coping with the speed.”
More information and all results can be found at:
Görkem and Danilo satisfied with their World Championships debutsRelated posts
If you liked what you read, then you can explore other related articles below.
