Ranzi Sports

Chennai, March 30, 2025: Eighteen-year-old Oh Jun-sung triumphed over French competitor Thibault Poret in a gripping seven-game Men’s Singles match, securing his first WTT Star Contender title at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 on Sunday.

In the Women’s Singles event, 16-year-old Miwa Harimoto, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024, claimed victory against her fellow countrywoman Honoka Hashimoto with a score of 4-2, marking her inaugural title at this level.

Earlier in the day, Manav Thakkar’s remarkable journey concluded in the semifinals, making him the only Indian male player to reach this stage in a WTT Star Contender event.

In the Mixed Doubles category, South Korea’s Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin secured the title with a decisive win in straight games.

Competing before a full audience at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Harimoto and Hashimoto engaged in thrilling long rallies that tested their endurance and precision.

The initial two games saw both players evenly matched, but the introduction of the Expedite Rule in Game 3 transformed the match. With a 13-shot limit in effect, Harimoto excelled under pressure, demonstrating remarkable agility and strategic acumen.

Despite her opponent’s persistent challenge, the 16-year-old maintained her composure to clinch the Women’s Singles Final.

Subsequently, the Men’s Singles Final between Oh and Poret unfolded as an exhilarating contest, with momentum shifting frequently.

Both athletes exhibited extraordinary skill and determination, captivating the audience. Oh, who was down 2-3, executed a stunning comeback, winning the final two games to secure a dramatic victory.

Manav’s impressive campaign concluded in Session 1 with a closely contested 3-1 defeat to Thibault Poret in the Men’s Singles.

Full Results (Main Draw, Day 4)

Men’s Singles (Semifinals)

Oh Jun-sung (KOR) [12] Vs. Flavien Coton (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 12-10, 11-7

Thibault Poret (FRA) Vs. Manav Thakkar (IND) 3-1: 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7

(Final, Best of 7)

Oh Jun-sung (KOR) [12] Vs. Thibault Poret (FRA) 4-3: 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7

Women’s Singles (Semifinals) 

Miwa Harimoto (JPN) [2] Vs. Shin Yu-bin (KOR) [4] 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 12-10

Honoka Hashimoto (JPN) [13] Vs. Kim Nayeong (KOR) 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-2

(Final, Best of 7)

Miwa Harimoto (JPN) [2] Vs. Honoka Hashimoto (JPN) [13] 4-2: 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-7

Mixed Doubles (Final) 

Lim Jong-hoon (KOR)/Shin Yu-bin (KOR) [2] Vs. Maharu Yoshimura (JPN)/Satsuki Odo (JPN) [Q] 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-4