The first ever ITTF World Cadet Challenge is over and the result did not surprise anyone. We can all be sure that the Chinese table tennis wall will still stand a number of years.
A strong well coached and very skilful Chinese Cadet team swept all the titles in Tizsaujvaros. I say: Give them credit for their work !! Players like Zhang Jike in Cadet Boys and Cao Zhen in Cadet Girls are already at a young age unbelievably skilful and competitive in all areas of our game.
I asked Lu Zhiqing about Zhang Jike. A young Chinese who already at 14 years of age is showing skills that amazed even the most experienced coaches in the gym.
“Zhang is already practicing with the national junior team and he also plays for The Shandong Lueng Club in the Chinese A division. He clearly is one of the best players in his age group and I am very satisfied with his performance here in Hungary”.
I mention Beijing 2008 and at least a medal there for Zhang Jike.
“Well, of course we hope so”, Lu laughs. “He has the potential but the road is long and difficult”.
Zhang Jike and Cao Zhen became the first two players to receive an official ITTF Most Valuable Players award when the ITTF World Cadet Challenge and the World Youth Table Tennis festival closed out on Sunday.
Both players played outstanding table tennis in front of many trained coaches eyes. So did many more of the young promising players brought together for the first ITTF World title event for cadets.
