IC Japan win a close Australasian Junior Challenge in mixed tie break against Australia

The IC Junior Challenge in Tokyo proved to be extremely exciting and fruitful. The match up between Pakistan and Singapore came down to the last mixed doubles with Japanese girls on Team Pakistan winning both of the their singles matches as well as the doubles. The match up between Australia and Japan proved to be just as exciting if not more. After some intense moments, they were tied at 3-3 and went into a mixed doubles 10 point tie breaker. Both teams had match points but in the end Team Japan prevailed.

Full scores can be seen here.

The charity clinic was led by two foreign coaches based in Tokyo. All the players participated in teaching tennis to children who live in children's homes. The coaches chose two recipients of IC Junior Sportsmanship Awards - Shiori Fukuda ( Japan) and Muhammad Ibrihim ( Pakistan) for their efforts during the clinic. Shiori is the No.1 player on Team Japan and was instrumental in bringing the victory to Japan. Ibrihim is a quiet young man who impressed us all with his manners throughout the weekend.

At the award party on the last day, all the players mingled and sat with players from other countries and..... all of us who cleaned up witnessed something wonderful - there were two Australian girls and 4 Pakistani boys playing tennis under the lights on the center court. It was past 9 PM but they seemed to be having a great time. 

It was a wonderful weekend for all of us.