by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Top seed, Danielle Rauen won Women’s Singles Class 9-10, beating Chile’s Ailyn Espinosa in the final (11-6, 11-5, 11-5). Somewhat unexpectedly, Gustavo Laskosky, not listed amongst the leading names, won Men’s Singles Class 7; at the final hurdle he overcame Costa Rica’s Steven Roman, the no.2 seed (7-10, 12-10, 12-10, 10-12, 11-5).

Meanwhile for Alejando Gomez, competing in a group organised event, he won Men’s Singles Class 1-4. He remained unbeaten throughout; second place was claimed by Argentina’s Lucas Melia.

Overall, three titles for the host nation; it was the same for Chile. Tamara Leonelli won Women’s Singles Class 5, whilst in the Men’s Singles events Mattias Pino claimed gold in Class 6. Alvaro Vega was anointed the Class 10 champion.

Group organised events; Colombia’s Sara Leon finished in second place to Tamara Leonelli, Brazil’s Guilherme de Andrade ended matters next in line to Mattias Pino. Arranged in two stages, Alvaro Vega beat Lucas Dos Santos, like Guilherme de Andrade from Brazil, at the final hurdle to secure gold (13-11, 11-6, 11-4).

Imposing performances from Brazil and Chile, in the remaining events honours were shared.

Argentina’s Elias Romero won Men’s Singles Class 5; he finished in first place in a group administered competition; second place finished in the hands of Brazil’s Guilherme de Andrade. Canada’s Curtis Caron emerged as the Men’s Singles Class 8 champion with Mexico’s Miguel Vazquez securing Men’s Singles Class 9 gold.

At the final hurdle, Curtis Caron overcame Ecuador’s Gabriel Salazar (11-6, 11-6, 11-4), Miguel Vazquez defeated Chile’s Mabuel Echaveguren (11-6, 11-5, 11-4).

Play in the individual events over, attention now turns to the team competitions; play concludes on Friday 24th March.