Day Two at ITTF World Para Future - Gold Coast

On day two of the ITTF World Para Future - Gold Coast, Team Australia picked up a remarkable twelve medals, including golds for Sam Von Einem, Lina Lei and Qian Yang.

The morning session began at 9.30am, with the Women’s singles matches continuing on from an enthralling first day of play at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.

The high-level nature of the competition remained consistent throughout, with a standout fixture coming on table seven, as Japan’s Ena Miyazaki edged a thrilling five-game contest against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yen Ying.

The first gold medal of the day went to India’s Bhavina Patel, who battled her way to a 3-2 victory over Japan’s Ena Miyazaki on table one, after being both 1-0 and 2-1 down to her Japanese counterpart, in what was a fitting conclusion of the Women’s Singles classes 4-5 draw.

Qian Yang secured a fantastic gold medal for Australia with a straight games victory over Chinese Taipei’s Shiau Wen Tian on table four, whilst Lina Lei’s win over India’s Baby Sahana Ravi meant that it was two gold medals for the hosts.

In the final matches before the mid-session break, five countries won gold, with Chinese Taipei’s Jin Sian Su, USA’s Samuel William Althshuler, Japan’s Natsuki Wada, Masanori Uno, Koyo Iwabuchi and Hayuma Abe, Thailand’s Dararat Asayut and Australia’s Sam Von Einem all securing the top prize.

Von Einem’s gold was a thoroughly deserved accolade for the South Australian, who won each of his four matches without dropping a game, and his gold medal was met with rapturous applause from his team mates, coaches and the Australian support.

On winning gold, Von Einem said: “It feels really good. You have to celebrate all victories on tour, but to do it in Australia is really special. Kato is a really tough competitor and I had to be really switched onto beat him. I stuck to my game plan well and the whole tournament was good for me, so I am really pleased.”

Australia’s Lin Ma and Nathan Pellissier were on the court at the same time as Von Einem, but were edged out of first place by Japan’s Koyo Iwabuchi and Hayuma Abe.

The conclusion of the singles fixtures were followed by the medal ceremonies, with representatives from the ITTF, Experience Gold Coast, Table Tennis Queensland, and Meaghan Scanlon, state member for Gaven, there to present the medals and congratulate the exceptional athletes.

The doubles competitions got underway in the afternoon session, with plenty of table tennis set to be played in the final day of action tomorrow.

There was another five-game thriller involving two Australian pairs, as Lina Lei and Lin Ma edged out Lucas Milson and Qian Yang in the mixed doubles.

Japan’s pair of Genki Saito and Yuka Ikeyama may be two to watch tomorrow, as the pair dropped just five points in their mixed doubles win over New Zealand.

The action will continue tomorrow at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, with play set to begin at 9.30am. You can view tomorrow's schedule, along with the full set of today’s results here.