Nearly 100 table-tennis players from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Vietnam will be competing in the 23rd Open ‘Golden Racquet’ International Tournament in HCM City from July 15-19.

The Republic of Korea team is considered the favourite to take the championships as they have won many previous tournaments and have strong players such as Cho Eun Rae who ranks 86th in the world, Kim Tae Hoon (163rd), Lee Eun Hee (41st), and Choi Moon Young (125th).

Commentators say that the host men’s teams can secure the first three positions if they play their best players, including Doan Kien Quoc, Tran Tuan Quynh, Nguyen Nam Hai, and Dinh Quang Vinh.

Vietnam will also send several young teams to the tournament to help them hone their skills and gain more experience for the 25th SEA Games and other international tournaments in the future.

VNN/VOV