(by Steve Hopkins)
In the latest World Rankings, 17 year old Felix Lebrun has risen to No. 8. The young French star is currently the highest ranked European player (and the highest ranked penhold player). Lebrun won last week’s WTT event, and is still alive in this week’s WTT Champions event in Frankfurt (he will play Germany’s Dang Qui in the next round). FABULOUS results for Felix Lebrun – Felix Fabuleaux!
The top of the rankings are unchanged with Fan Zhendong, Wang Chuqin, and Ma Long in the top three spots. Zhendong and Chuqin have changed positions a few times in recent months, but Zhendong has now extended his lead to about 1600 points. The top ranked non-Chinese player is Hugo Calderano at No. 4. Liang Jinkun and Lin Gaoyuan are at No. 5 and 6. Japan’s Harimoto is down two slots to No. 7. Felix Lebrun, Jang Woojin and Lin Shidong round out the Top 10.
While the Top 10 is dominated by China (with 6 of those 10 slots), the next 10 are dominated by European players. Jorgic is at 11, Ovtcharov and Qiu are 13 and 14, Kallberg, Freitas, and Moregard are in spots 17, 18, and 19. The other four players in the Top 20 are Lin Yun-Ju at No. 12, Lim Jonghoon at No. 15, Quadri Aruna at No. 16, and Omar Assar at No. 20.
There has been very little change in the Women’s Top 20. China holds 6 of the top 7 slots. Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng, and Wang Manyu hold the top three positions before Japan’s Hina Hayata at No. 4. Then Wang Yidi, Qian Tianyi, and Chen Xingtong. Shin Yubin, Ying Han, and Mima Ito round out the top 10. Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico just misses the Top 10 (she is No. 11). A pair of Americans are at No. 30 (Amy Wang), and No. 33 (Lily Zhang).
With most of the top players in the world in Germany this week, expect to see more changes in the Rankings next week.
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