Por CBTM
Brazil will be the world capital of table tennis from the 23rd to the 26th. The XVII Liebherr Brazilian Open, Brazilian leg of the World Circuit of the Table-tennis International Federation, will be disputed in Rio de Janeiro, at the Assossiaçào Atlética Banco do Brasil, and will count with the biggest names of the sport now-a-days. Players like the Belgium Jean Michael Saive, 10th on the world ranking, and the Croatian Tamara Boros, 6 th on the list are guaranteed at the competition. The sport, which has 13 million informal players in Brazil, has as main idol the experienced Hugo Hoyama.
Owner of eight gold-medals in Pan-American Games, Hoyama is feeling motivated for the competition.
"After the Olympic Games in Athens, I took a break of tournament and, basically, came back for the World Championship this year, in China. Unfortunately I dint perform well and I hope to do better at the Brazilian Open", said Hoyama, 36 years old.
Besides the adult dispute, there will also be a tournament for table-tennis players under 21 years of age. Brazil is betting on the new generation for good results at the competition.
"Our expectation is to get a good result with the kids of the under-21. It is in this category where Brazil has more chances of reaching good placements. At the main event, without age limit, we hope that at least two of our athletes might be amongst the 32 best qualifications", explained the Brazilian coach, Marles Martins.
At 19 years old, the São Paulo born player, Cazuo Matsumoto is one of the biggest names for the under-21 group, at the Liebherr Brazilian Open. After two seasons in Europe, the young athlete knows what kind of responsibilities is expecting him at the competition.
"I know that investment has been made in the new generation and that there is an expectation of a good outcome from the uder-21 group. I'm relaxed and this four-month period of intensive training in France has given me a lot of confidence. I want to do my bet before the Brazilian supporters, it's a dream to win at home", said Cazuo.
The 17th edition of the Brazilian leg of the Table-Tennis International Federation World Circuit will have U$100 thousand in prizes and it will have the presence of stars like Tamara Boros from Croatia, fifth on the international ranking, and the Belgium Jean Michael Saive, 11 th on the list. The Brazilian Hugo Hoyama, who hold the record of medals won at the Pan-American games, will also play at the event, as well as the Danish Michael Maze, new hit of the International Circuit.
