Site Products
World Cadet Challenge: Asia doubles down on gold

World Cadet Challenge: Asia doubles down on gold

(by Wade Townsend )
World Cadet Challenge: Asia doubles down on gold
In a steamy Vodafone Arena, Team Asia showed for a second year running that they rule the cadets category.

In the Girls’ Team Event, Team Asia was able to see off a tenacious North America 3-0.

Despite not playing in the final, and instead cheering from the bench, it is worth seeing the gold medal win through the eyes of Diya Parag Chitale.

Chitale played two years ago in Team Hopes, and now in Fiji she is a gold medal winner. She’s graduated form the Hopes program with honours and is now top of her class in cadets.

The World Cadet Challenge prides itself on not just being about chasing titles and glory. Player education is also a top priority. On her way to the top of the podium Chitale has picked up some knowledge.

“I’ve learnt so much playing with the team. There are heaps of technical ideas I will be able to use.” Diya Parag Chitale, Team Asia
Chitale wasn’t only front and centre for the gold medal, she also had a VIP seat in seeing exactly how her Chinese team mate Huang Yingqi took care of business.

Sometimes the perception of table tennis in China is that there is some special formula they are hiding from the rest of the world. Well, Chitale got a close up encounter of just what goes on behind the scenes.

“Outside of the table tennis hall there isn’t anything special,” says Chitale, “she’s just hanging around the hotel with the rest of us.”

Turns out it really just is what you put in on the table.

Meanwhile in the Boy’s Team Event Asia was able to keep up appearances. They took down Team Europe 3-0 and will be standing on top of the podium for the second year in a row.

Europe had flashes of brilliance, but Asia literally were able to counter them, particularly Park Gyeongtae who was able to pull off some clutch counter topspins against the Martin Friis.

Expect Europe to come out with a vengeance in the singles, but for now, Asia is king and queen of the cadets.

For full article, please click here

Latest News

Playing Kids

July 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with… Read More

#2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down The Line

July 7, 2025
[[Feature] [Special Feature] American Stars! Jha’s Strengths #2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down… Read More

United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action

July 7, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the… Read More

MLTT Featured Team: Bay Area Blasters

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Bay Area Blasters plan to blast through the upcoming Major League Table… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Established in 2002, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association (CUSTTA) is Alberta’s largest Table Tennis… Read More

Butterfly Players Shine at the 2025 US National Table Tennis Championships

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 U.S. National Table Tennis Championships is one of the premiere annual… Read More

US Nationals Recap

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The US National Table Tennis Championships is in the books.  One of America’s premiere events… Read More

United States Smash: Qualifiers are Finished and the Main Draw Begins Today

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Americans made waves in the qualifying rounds of the United States Smash, the… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.