There were 8 incredible matches to round off a truly remarkable competition in Hong Kong. The BISFed 2017 Asia & Oceania Championships have produced some of the highest quality competition in recent years with the top athletes pushing each other in all classes.
Pattaya Tadtong (Thailand) may not be number one in the World rankings but his performances this week were clinical, none more so than in the final where he beat Wonjong Yoo of Korea 5-0. After winning his pools games 15-0, 18-0 and 19-0 Tadtong breezed into the knock out games where he only lost 3 ends on route to claiming the gold medal. Fellow countryman Witsanu Haudpradit claimed gold after beating Dongwon Lee convincingly in the 3rd/4th place play-off game.
The Thai athletes continued to dominate in the BC2 class. Watharaphon Vongsa and Worawut Saengampa were unbeaten on route to the final, with both beating strong Korean athletes in the semi-finals. Something had to give in the final and it was Vongsa who came out on top with a narrow 6-5 victory. It was Jeongmin Sohn who beat fellow Korean Soyeong Jeong to claim bronze.
Korea have dominated both the individual and pair element of the BC3 game for many years. This event was no different however Yuen Kei Ho (Hong Kong) spoilt the Korean’s plans by beating Yejin Choi 5-4 in their semi-final to guarantee herself a silver medal. Unfortunately for her she was up against a strong Hansoo Kim and in a match that could have gone either way until the last ball. Kim claimed the gold leaving his fellow team mates to play off for bronze. Jun Yup Kim eventually took the bronze in a match that was worthy of a final.
The home fans would have been expecting Yuk Wing Leung to be in contention for a medal however a combination of disappointing performances from Yuk and impressive play from others in the event meant that Yuk missed out on a place in the elimination round. One athlete that capitalised on that was Yuansen Zheng (China) who earned gold after beating Hyeon Seok Seo (Korea) 7-0 in the final. The bronze medal was won on a tie break after Pornchok Larpyen beat Yuexiang Guang (China).
Final Results
- BC1
1) Pattaya Tadtong (Thailand)
2) Wonjong Yoo (Korea)
3) Witsanu Huadpradit (Thailand)
- BC2
1) Watcharaphon Vongsa (Thailand)
2) Worawut Saengampa (Thailand)
3) Jeongmin Sohn (Korea)
- BC3
1) Hansoo Kim (Korea)
2) Yuen Kei Ho (Hong Kong)
3) Yup Kim (Korea)
- BC4
1) Yuansen Zheng (China)
2) Hyeon Seok Seo (Korea)
3) Pornchok Laryen (Thailand)
