The Tiger from Arad The Tiger from Arad The King of the ... - ITTF

JUN MIZUTANI
The King of
the FUTURE
DANIELA DODEAN
The Tiger
from Arad

www.joola.com
THE STORY OF
SUCCESS
1953_ The first JOOLA table tennis table is rigged up
in the ski workshop of the sports shop JOOss in LAndau.
1961_ German Championships are played on
JOOLA table for the first time.
1963_ JOOLA is the equipment supplier for the
German International Chamionships for the first time.
1977_ Peter Stellwag wins his first German Championships
with a JOOLA bat.
1984_ JOOLA becomes equipment supplier of the
EUROPEAN LEAGUE and has been ever since.
1989_ The World Championships in Dortmund are played
on JOOLA tables. Jörg Rosskopf and Steffen Fetzner
become World Champions in men’s doubles.
1992_ JOOLA is the official equipment supplier of the
European Championships in Stuttgart.
Jörg Rosskopf becomes European Champion in men’s singles.
1996_ The table tennis competition of the Olympic Games
in Atlanta are played on JOOLA tables.
Jörg Rosskopf wins the bronze medal.
1999_ JOOLA is the equipment supplier to the Pro Tour Tournaments
in England, Qatar, France, Austria and Germany.
2000_ The Continental Championships of Europe,
Asia and Africa are held using JOOLA equipment.
2000_ Once again the ITTF entrusts JOOLA with equipping
the Olympic Games. Sydney 2000 becomes a big
success for table tennis and JOOLA.
2001_ JOOLA becomes Official equipment supplier of the
Men’s and Women’s ITTF World Cup.
2002_ The Pro Tour Tournaments in Qatar and Austria and the Men’s
and Women’s ITTF World Cup are played using JOOLA equipment.
2003_ The first World Youth Championships are played on
JOOLA tables. JOOLA – with the future in mind.
Pro Tour Tournaments in Malaysia and Japan also with JOOLA.
2004_ Jörg Rosskopf and Zoltan Fejer-Konnerth play in the
successful German national team, that comes second at the
World Championships in Qatar. Athens 2004 – it is the 3rd time
in a row , that the table tennis matches of the Olympic Games
are played on JOOLA tables
2005_ JOOLA is equipment supplier of all major events in Europe:
Europe Top 12, European Championships, European Youth
Championships, European Veterans Championships, World Cup,
World Youth Championships.

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I T T F G L O B A L J U N I O R P R O G R A M M E
CONTENT
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
”Revisited”
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
”ITTF Global Junior events –
the perfect opportunity”
SIMPLY EXCITING
”Korean noise-maker
on the move”
WINDOWS WIDE OPEN
”Opportunities and motivation
driving our sport forward”
THE KING OF THE FUTURE
”Jun Mizutani – one of the best
young players in the world”
6 7
12
10
12
13
14
THE TIGER FROM ARAD
”European Female Junior
Hope in the search for success”
THE JAZZMAN
”The future for Cuban Table
Tennis has arrived”
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
”Not ready to Rock´n Roll
– just yet”
A HAPPY FACE IN A CROWDED PLACE
”An African Table Tennis
Queen in the making”
PUBLISHER: ITTF, all material copyright International Table Tennis Federation
PRINT: Trydells Tryckeri, Laholm Sweden LAYOUT: Thomas Buza, Teknikförlaget Sweden
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME • 3
14
CONTENT

REVISITED
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
Revisited
We have come a long way in a very
short time. The ITTF Global Junior
Programme stumbled out of the
gate in 2002, featuring four International Junior
Opens. The tournaments were loosely
stringed together to form the ITTF World Junior
Circuit. We also had the goal of organizing
the ITTF World Cadet Challenge for the first
time.
Today, only four years later we can look back
proudly on the pioneer days as necessary learning
experiences and pride ourselves with the
present shape of a Global Junior Programme,
clearly touching the so important development
nerve of our sport.
Although we are a very young movement
always working with and for the future, history
is still important.
FOR MANY YEARS India had actively pushed the ITTF
to organize a World Junior Championships;
over the years a global youth event had touched
on world title status without gaining ITTF
approval.
The decision to officially organize a World
Junior Championship came in Osaka 2001 and
the ITTF Junior Commission chaired by Mr.
Tony Yue from Hong Kong came alive the very
same year.
Original ideas and thoughts of a wider and
more comprehensive approach to ITTF Junior
activities quickly grew stronger and were approved
for a trial year starting 1st January
2002.
4 • ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
The real test in the opening year was to
establish the ITTF World Cadet Challenge and
its unique continental concept. With the Hungarian
Association and their General Secretary
Mrs. Judith Farago agreeing to incorporate the
event within the Youth Table Tennis Festival in
Tiszaujvaros, we were in serious business.
TO WORK WITH THE FUTURE is not only a true privilege
but also a refreshing experience. Very often
you have the feeling of being able to examine
the future state of our sport.
In the last four years we have seen some tremendous
table tennis played by young and exciting
players at our key events.
IT WOULD BE AN EXAGGERATION to claim that we know
exactly how the future looks. On the other
hand it is true to say that we have a pretty
good idea.
The recent years are full of memories, we
have seen global expansion, young people are
driving the sport forward and there is a passion
for table tennis.
On behalf of the ITTF Junior Commission
Mikael Andersson Tony Yue
ITTF Global Junior Chair of the ITTF
Programme Manager Junior Commission

I T T F G L O B A L J U N I O R P R O G R A M M E
Join the movement
”An ITTF controlled yearly
championship, with a strict
quality philosophy involving
national associations and individual players qualified
through continental championships and
the ITTF U -18 World Ranking List.”
BID CONDITIONS 2010-2013
• Presentation made to the ITTF BOD three
years prior to the championships.
• Subject to continental rotation scheme.
• Seven events during seven/eight days.
• Free hospitality for approx 50% of the
participants.
• The ITTF will offer an organizational grant
to the organizer of 45 000 US in cash
support.
• The ITTF will offer all equipment (tables,
nets, balls, surrounds and umpire tables)
free of charge to be kept and used after the
championships.
***
”The premier ITTF Event for the
next generation of top players.
The ITTF World Cadet Challenge
features 64 identified and
selected athletes competing for their continental
associations in a specially designed format serving
as the main goal for world wide High Performance
initiatives for a crucial age group”. The ITTF World
Junior Circuit finals brings together twenty four
top juniors qualified by performance points earned
at official ITTF World Junior Circuit events.”
BID CONDITIONS 2008-2011
• Bid presentation made to the ITTF Junior
Commission.
• Host association benefits – wild cards
• Team, singles and doubles events for the
cadet age.
• Ind. singles event for ITTF World Junior
Circuit finals.
• Prize money paid by the ITTF.
• Free hospitality for approx 100 persons for
seven days.
• The ITTF will offer an organizational grant
of 35 000 US in cash support.
• The ITTF will offer all equipment (tables,
nets, balls, surrounds and umpire tables)
free of charge to be kept and used after the
championships.
***
”A series of high quality Open
junior tournaments or suitable
international events, identified,
endorsed and supported
by the ITTF in direct cooperation with the National
associations.”
• Presentation/Bids presented directly to the
ITTF Junior Commission.
• Expansion phase in effect.
• ITTF Cash contribution: US 2 500.
For more information contact:
Mikael Andersson
ITTF Global Junior Programme Manager
2211 Riverside Drive, Suite 400,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 7X5,CANADA
Tel: +16137332468 ext 233
Email: mikael@ittf.com
Raul Calin,
ITTF GJP Competition Manager
Email: rcalin@ittf.com
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME • 5
JOIN THE MOVEMENT

SIMPLY EXCITING
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
Simply Exciting
Jung Young Sik from Korea Republic is not the first and surely not the
last top player to come out of the Korean Table Tennis School. For him
and many other talents in Korea it is more a question of mustering
enough stamina and strength to come through to the top in a model
that constantly sends out strong table tennis professionals for international
duties.
WRITTEN BY: MIKAEL ANDERSSON, PHOTO: CARLOS ALONZO
Enough talent? – Well that’s one
area that you don’t have to doubt
in the case of this particular gentleman.
Jung made his first international appearance
in the Asian Junior Championships
in New Delhi back in July 2005 earning a
third place finish in the Cadet Boys’ Singles
event and a place in the Asian Cadet
team for the ITTF WCC in Santo Domingo.
With his brilliant technique he would
later please both fans and critical
coaches’ eyes during seven hot days in
the Caribbean. Not only does he play extremely,
well finding impossible angles
6 • ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
with his trademark the ”kick-back” backhand
block, he is also a real treat when it
comes to appearance and personality.
THE START OF THE 2006 junior season, with a
run away victory in the Under 15 Boys’
Singles at the Safir International event, he
showed most definitely that further progress
had been made and that he was
now reaching a level of play that was a level
above his competitors.
He is a spirited young man, one of the
best young cadet players in the World,
with, if not the best, personal ”cheer” in
the world.
Simply Exciting!

Windows
wide open
I T T F G L O B A L J U N I O R P R O G R A M M E
More than anything the ITTF
Global Junior Programme is opening
the windows of opportunity
for young players and their
coaches all over the world.
WRITTEN BY: MIKAEL ANDERSSON, PHOTO: ALFREDO LAINEZ
One of the best organized events on
the ITTF World Junior Circuit in
2005 was the 1st El Salvador Junior
Open in San Salvador. Incorporated in
the ”Super Cinco Series” – as one of five
table tennis events in a row organized in
San Salvador, the ITTF WJC experienced
excellent media coverage including live television
transmission, no doubt painting a
favourable picture of our sport.
The most talented player in El Salvador
is a young man by the name of Josué Donado.
The technical director for the El Salvador
Association Mr. Carlos Esnard explains
how it all started.
”Josué was detected through a school
programme and identified as a potential
talent very quickly and for the moment he
is gaining confidence and of course it is
very helpful to receive the support from
the ITTF Global Junior Programme. The
winter camp in Sweden was very useful
for us and we learnt a great deal about
what is needed to become even more
competitive in the future”.
Playing a huge role for table tennis not
only in El Salvador but also in the whole
Central American region is the soft spoken
president of the association, member of
the ITTF BOD and newly elected president
of the Latin American Table Tennis
Union, Mr. Melecio Rivera.
”Mr. Rivera is a respected businessman
in El Salvador who for many years has
been spending much of his time helping
our sport grow”, said Carlos Esnard.
”More than anything his work and willingness
to organize events has prepared
us for the opportunities now provided
through the ITTF Global Junior Programme.
We have definitely taken a step forward
with the help and attention of the
ITTF and I would actually say that we, together
with cycling and tennis, are the
best organized sports in our country.”
With the help and support from the
ITTF WFIM project Josué Donado is now
starting to take small but steady steps of
improvement reaching for the opportunities
provided and at the same time helping
table tennis to grow as a sport in his
country.
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME • 7
WINDOWS WIDE OPEN

THE KING OF THE FUTURE
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
The King of the FUTURE
There he was, comfortably stretched out; half asleep, ultimately relaxed
in a beach chair just a few meters from the Caribbean Sea. It was a
magical night in Santo Domingo, 35 degrees centigrade, winds calm
and the sky filled with billions of shining stars. On the way to a definitive
stardom of his own the young Japanese – Jun Mizutani had
won the ITTF WJC finals 2005, playing at perhaps 80% of his capacity
and solidifying his position as one of the best juniors in the world.
WRITTEN BY: MIKAEL ANDERSSON PHOTO: © BUTTERFLY
The moment made you wonder
what the youngster had on his
mind. Maybe it was the daily
tough practice routines in Düsseldorf,
Germany, or perhaps a swinging start
for his club in the 2nd Bundesliga, maybe
the next few events on an already filled
calendar, or what about ”home sweet
home” in Japan, far away from the tables
and balls that so quickly have become
his profession.
SINCE HIS INTERNATIONAL DEBUT in the ITTF Global
Junior Programme in Sweden 2002,
Jun Mizutani has been one of the best
and most promising players we have
seen at our events. Today only four
years later junior events may no longer
be his first priority anymore with much
bigger and taunting events coming up.
In many ways he is preparing to carry
the hopes and expectations on his
shoulders from a country, smitten by table
tennis and hungry for success – Japan.
8 • ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
For many years to come Jun will be
one of the poster boys for table tennis at
major ITTF events around the world;
his first official ITTF event was the ITTF
World Cadet Challenge in Malaysia 2003
and the start could have been slightly
better…
IT WAS SOMEWHAT CHAOTIC, as it usually is
during the first day of any major ITTF
event. The Malaysian Table Tennis Association
worked day and night to collect
World Cadet Challenge participants
from all over the world at the Kuala
Lumpur airport for further transport
high up in the mountains to the Genting
Highland resorts; basically one huge hotel
complex hosting thousands of Malaysians
looking for some family entertainment.
Everything under one roof: hotel, a
splendid playing venue and restaurants;
really a perfect set up.
Squeezed for space, the hotel over
booked and with different associations

“In many ways he is preparing to
carry the hopes and expectations
on his shoulders from a country,
smitten by table tennis and hungry
for success – Japan.”
I T T F G L O B A L J U N I O R P R O G R A M M E
arriving late, it was a puzzle for both
the ITTF GJP manager on duty and the
continental team managers to make order
out of chaos.
ONE OF THE LAST ATHLETES arriving was a young
left handed Japanese cadet boy by the
name of Jun Mizutani. Well after midnight
he was handed his room key to
what was planned as a shared accommodation
with one of his team mates in
the Asian Cadet Boys’ team.
Waking up after a brief night’s sleep it
did not take long for the youngster to realize
that, by mistake, he had been accommodated
in the same room as a
member of the Chinese Girls Cadet
team.
A short morning exchange which used
the English language in its simplest fashion
– “Boy”? “Girl”? It set up a first
day of not surprisingly shaky play for
the Japanese virtuoso.
It would however soon become better,
with new room mates and by finding
his comfort zone he would later find his
way to the singles final, the opponent
that time for the first but not the last
time I am sure: Ma Long from China.
It seems like our future is in good
hands.
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME • 9
THE KING OF THE FUTURE

THE TIGER FROM ARAD
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
Slowly, slowly wild and
dangerous tigers become
tamed animals, luring
only in their own cages.
The Tiger
from Arad
Tigers are, indeed, a rare breed in Romania. Yet there have been a few
showing up on the courts of table tennis throughout the years. For an
association with great tradition, there is always a certain productivity
in terms of new talent and expectation of success.
WRITTEN BY: MIKAEL ANDERSSON, PHOTO: © MARIANN DOMONKOS
Daniela Dodean’s first event, as a
supported member of the ITTF
”With the Future in Mind” project
was in Platja D’Aro, Spain in 2003.
The year before that the youngster from
Arad, with a competitive claw in her
game, drew attention during the first ever
ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Hungary,
where she finished in an impressive high
position in the singles competition.
She played her first ITTF WCC for the
European team in Malaysia in October
10 • ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
2003, losing in one of the best cadet girls
matches in the history of the event,
against Ding Ning from China 3-4.
THE LAST FEW JUNIOR YEARS have been successfully
filled with individual accomplishments
in European competitions where
Daniela has established herself as a
technically dominating player. She can
use speed and spin with ease, score
points from both corners and demonstrate
enough poise to be considered as a Eu-

I T T F G L O B A L J U N I O R P R O G R A M M E
ropean hope for the future in the battle
against Asian superiority in women’s table
tennis.
The ITTF Hello Future conference held
at the World Junior Championships in
Linz 2005, discussed in depth the development
of European women’s table tennis,
or... did I hear the lack thereof?
Key note speakers, Krisztina Tóth and
Csilla Bátorfi, both of them still active top
players in Europe gave their views and
opinions about the Asian dominance in
women’s table tennis at world level. Mr.
Jørn Ravnholt, experienced Sport Psychologist
with plenty of success working
with table tennis athletes spoke about goals
and methods and most importantly
the drive and commitment needed to develop
as a top athlete.
DODEAN AND HER GENERATION of young European
female table tennis athletes are now there
to respond to the challenge, and drive the
development of European women’s table
tennis forward. The ITTF World Junior
Championships creates a yearly measuring
point for coaches and associations
ready to make women’s table tennis a
priority.
My meeting with a young and hungry
Daniela Dodean in Platja D’Aro three
years ago produced at the time the article
“In the eyes of a Tiger”. The fire in practice,
as well as high ambitions and a readiness
to compete against anyone, anywhere;
it was there in 2003.
Maybe it’s still there, but for the moment
perhaps hidden in doubts about a
true professional career in table tennis?.
In Europe there are a few, but certainly
not many natural training environments
making women’s table tennis the number
one priority. Instead many young players
are faced with the task of seeking financial
security in clubs where the ambitions
are far from those needed to reach the podium
at international events.
Prior to ”Hello Future”, the ITTF Junior
Commission conducted a series of interesting
interviews with leading female
European players. The strain of thought
among the current generation showed in
some cases different views and opinions;
also the comments were good examples
of how little attention the mental and
physical aspects of our sport is receiving.
Goal setting, said one of the athletes, is
something that the coach should worry
about. To be behind in terms of physical
fitness was identified, but in very few cases
brought to the forefront of daily training
routines.
SPEAKING TO SOME and watching many of the
top European Junior players of today makes
me a little worried that the priorities
haven’t changed. A planning process
focused on endless competitions for
clubs on national and continental levels
does not leave enough time for long
tough training periods. Instead it produces
short term goals; European girls and
their coaches become aware, in most cases,
of the possibilities within Europe but
spend considerably less time seeking
World level success.
Slowly, slowly wild and dangerous tigers
become tamed animals, luring only
in their own cages.
We don’t really want that – do we?
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME • 11
THE TIGER FROM ARAD

THE JAZZMAN
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
Idid my first coaching course in Havana,
Cuba 1999. To meet the Cuban
coaches, their desire to learn about
the modern game of table tennis and to
visit the National Team Training Centre in
the outskirts of Havana was simply a great
experience. We worked on theory and
practical methods during what felt like a
12 • ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
week long training session. Bonds and
ties were built that still feel alive today.
More than anything it comes down to
respect for the coaching profession. Here
they were working with small or in some
cases no resources, breaking sweat together
with their athletes at every single
practice.
When I returned two years later, to the
very same training centre, I felt that some
of the drive was gone. Maybe there was
an internal coaching conflict, organizational
disorder or just fatigue of not being
able to showcase some of the competence
existing in the group of top players
staying at the centre.
”For me, and in my
thoughts; always he
will be the Jazzman
and nothing else!”
The Jazzman
Much of the ITTF development
work is, as it should be, directed
towards associations in need of
support in order to keep our
sport alive.
WRITTEN BY: MIKAEL ANDERSSON, PHOTO: COLOMBIA TTA

I T T F G L O B A L J U N I O R P R O G R A M M E
One morning I took a short jog down
the Malecon promenade close to my hotel.
The whole week winds had been
blowing high and the sea constantly
pounding the walls of the city.
A few minutes down the road there was
an old soccer stadium, once I am sure
playable, but now far from being in mint
condition. Suddenly there he was, a gentleman
standing alone in the empty
stands, blowing a sad and very lonely
tune on his trumpet. It was a fascinating
scene.
The following session I would run into a
young Cuban lefthander with some obvious
talent for table tennis. To see Andy
Mariano Pereira slowly excel in table tennis,
competing on the international scene,
showcasing a talented game filled
with cleverness, does give me plenty of
satisfaction as an ITTF professional.
Not only does he play table tennis like a
jazz musician with plenty of twist and
turns, improvising his game, he is also
very much the future of table tennis in
Cuba.
For me, and in my thoughts; always he
will be the Jazzman and nothing else!
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Adem Hmam
comes from a
true sporting family;
his brother Gdara
Hmam served Tunisian
table tennis
for a number of years
as their best player
on the World scene
with two Olympic appearances
to his credit,
while other members of the
family have enjoyed international
success in handball. Surely the mother of
Adem knew what to expect when her
youngest son embarked on his first trip to
a world title event. To comfort the 11 year
old during seven days of preparation
camp in Barcelona, Spain and ten days of
training and competition for the African
cadet team in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic , she simply packed his bag
with home made crackers and several
cans of the local red chili paste.
So there he was, sitting at each meal at
the ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Santo
Domingo with his can of chili to spice up
the local food serving.
It so happens that this young fellow is
able also to spice things up at the table
with his talent and enjoyable playing style.
So far he is to be found most of the
time close to the surrounds but there are
also signs of unusual trademarks like an
excellent service and cool returns.
Adem Hmam 12 years old – just make a
small note of that name. No limits are to
be found at this point in time.
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME • 13
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

A HAPPY FACE IN A CROWDED PLACE
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
A happy face in a crowded place
I must admit that I am fascinated
with the Sphinx.
For more than 4000 years she
has been guarding those pyramids,
with the first beams of the
sun, each and every morning
landing right on her nose.
Personally I was hooked from
the very first time I laid my
eyes on her, during a coach conductor
assignment for the ITTF
back in June 1998, not only by
the Great Sphinx herself, but also
on Egypt and Cairo.
WRITTEN BY: MIKAEL ANDERSSON, PHOTO: CARLOS ALONZO
The Egyptian Table Tennis Association
has always been one of the
front runners in Africa when it comes
to producing and promoting junior
table tennis. It is true that the development
work and planning process are not
always in total sync, yet there is activity
and opportunities arising all the time.
IN DECEMBER 2006 we will have the ITTF World
Junior Championships coming to the African
continent for the first time. It is no
doubt an important development victory
for the ITTF and for the African Table
Tennis Federation.
In the last few years I have seen African
Table Tennis grow and rise with the ITTF
Global Junior Programme. The enthusi-
14 • ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
astic spirit brought on by management,
coaches and the young athletes representing
the African Cadet Team at the World
Cadet Challenge has been fantastic to
watch.
ONE OF THE LEADING young athletes, always representing
a forward looking and optimistic
attitude is Reem El Shoubary from
Egypt.
Twice a participant in the ITTF WCC
and now also a frequent and successful
athlete on the ITTF World Junior Circuit,
she has a certain swagger and self confidence
surrounding her. More than
anything she is a good, open minded representative
and a leader for female
youth and junior players in Africa.
A happy face in a crowded place!

73466-02.05/4(E)
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BRYCE
BRYCE FX
Petr Korbel
Timo Boll
Tamara Boros
Kalinikos Kreanga
Kong Linghui
Michael Maze
Zoran Primorac
Liu Jia
Joo Se Hyuk
Werner Schlager
Chuan Chih Yuan
Zhang Yining
Oh
Sang
Eun

MAJOR EVENTS – 2006
Oct 27-Nov 3 The ITTF World Cadet
Challenge & WJC Finals (DubaiCity,UAE)
Dec 10-Dec 17 World Junior Table Tennis
Championships (Cairo, EGY)
ITTF GLOBAL JUNIOR PROGRAMME
2211 Riverside Drive, Suite 400
Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 7X5
CANADA