Ovtcharov, Ito win maiden WTT Contender after electrifying finals
The World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Doha 2021 came to an exciting end at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha yesterday, with Germany's Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Japan's Mima Ito lifting the men's and women's singles trophies, respectively.
Six out of 10 final spots were represented by different nationalities from Japan, Chinese Taipei, Korea Republic, Argentina, Germany and France, with upsets and drama providing another compelling narrative for global table tennis fans.
After a week of world-class table tennis action, Ovtcharov defeated Chinese Taipei's 19-year-old Lin Yun-Ju, 4-1 (11-7, 14-12, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6) in the final to end a three-year title drought.
Meanwhile, World No. 3 Ito underlined her growing stature in the sport with her 4-2 (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6) win over her compatriot Hayata Hina.
Chinese Taipei's Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching also created history by becoming the first WTT mixed doubles champions. At the same time, Japan's Kasumi Ishikawa and Miu Hirano and the Korean duo of Cho Daeseong and Lee Sangsu, shot to glory with their women's doubles and men's doubles victories, respectively.
HE Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee Jassim Rashid Al Buainain, several diplomats accredited to the country, officials of the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA), and officials of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and World Table Tennis (WTT) attended the final day matches.
QTTA President Khalil Al-Mohannadi said, "I am so happy that we were able to hold the first-ever WTT event here in Doha. After being in table tennis for so long, I'm so proud we can host such a high-level event and showcase to the world how beautiful the sport of table tennis can be."
Robust COVID-19 measures were implemented to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in the WTT Middle East Hub. Zero COVID-19 cases have been reported so far, marking a significant step for the sport to get back on its feet amid the ongoing pandemic.
ITTF CEO/WTT Director Steve Dainton said, "Together with the Qatar Table Tennis Association, we have spared no effort to put this event together. The WTT Contender Doha's success has given us the confidence to look forward to another week of top-class table tennis action with the WTT Star Contender Doha. Fan engagement on our social media channels has also surpassed expectations, and we are ready to entertain them with more creative and quality content."
The WTT Middle East Hub continues on Monday, March 8, 2021, with the WTT Star Contender, boosted by a lucrative prize purse of US$400,000. It is set to chart another momentous occasion, entertaining a global table tennis audience like never before again.
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