by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

At the final hurdle, he overcame Trinidad and Tobago’s Luc O’Young (11-6, 11-9, 11-4, 12-10), having one round earlier beaten Cuba’s Carlos Sanchez (11-9, 11-6, 13-11, 11-7); in the counterpart semi-final Lu O’Young had accounted for the Dominican Republic’s Carlos Guzman (4-11, 12-10, 12-10, 3-11, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11).

The top step of the podium for Barbados; it was the same in the Cadet Boys’ Doubles event where Ramon Maxwell and Rashon Goddard combined to secure first prize at the expense of the hosts. They overcame Jamal Nickolus and Terrence Rausche at the final hurdle (12-14, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10).

Two titles for Barbados but in all other events it was gold for the Dominican Republic; Esmerlyn Castro concluding matters as the most successful of all in the five day tournament.

Alongside Cinthia Sanchez and Idelsa Baez, she had struck gold in the Junior Girls’ Team competition; as play progressed she won the Junior Mixed Doubles title in partnership with Mariano Lockward, the Junior Girls’ Doubles in harness with Cinthia Sanchez prior to claiming top prize in the Junior Girls’ Singles event.

The Mixed Doubles title was secured at the expense of colleagues Carlos Sanchez and Shelly Machado (11-8, 11-8, 11-3), the Girls’ Doubles when facing Guyana’s Jamaali Homer and Priscilla Greaves (12-10, 11-1, 11-1); the Girls’ Singles in opposition Cuba’s Shelly Machado (11-9, 11-9, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9). In the penultimate round, Esmerlyn Castro had beaten Guyana’s Priscilla Greaves (11-3, 13-11, 11-13, 11-6, 16-14); Shelly Machado had defeated Cinthia Sanchez (11-9, 11-6, 13-11, 11-7).

Junior Mixed Doubles gold for Mariano Lockward; overall he ended the tournament with three titles. First place in the Junior Boys’ Team event in partnership with Carlos Guzman and Osvalso Ramos; he partnered Carlos Guzman to the Junior Boys’ Doubles podium top step. The pair accounted for Trinidad and Tobago’s Joshua Maxwell and Luc O’Young to seal the title (9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8).

Three titles for Mariano Lockward; it was the same for his compatriot Abit Ronaldo Tejada. Having joined forces with Steff Guttierez and Andres Lora to win the Cadet Boys’ Team title, he partnered Dahjana Rojas to Cadet Mixed Doubles success, the pair beating compatriots, Andres Lora and Estefany Rodriguez in the final (10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 11-4). Later he overcame Aruba’s Chen Ho Cheung (11-1, 11-9, 11-6) to win Cadet Boys’ Singles gold.

An impressive performance by Abit Ronaldo Tejada; it was the very same from Rosa Torres. Success in the Cadet Girls’ Team event alongside Dahyana Rojas and Estefany Rodriguez; as matters concluded, she partnered Estefany Rodriguez to success against colleagues Idelsa Baez and Dahyana Rojas (11-3, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-3), prior to securing the Cadet Girls’ Singles title at the final expense of Idelsa Baez (11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9).

2017 Caribbean Region Under 15 and Under 18 Championships: Roll of Honour (Tuesday 18th April)

2017 Caribbean Region Under 15 and Under 18 Championships: First stage results – Junior Boys’ Singles, Junior Girls’ Singles, Cadet Boys’ Singles, Cadet Girls’ Singles (Monday 17th April)

2017 Caribbean Region Under 15 and Under 18 Championships:  Main Draw – Singles Events (Tuesday 18th April)

2017 Caribbean Region Under 15 and Under 18 Championships:  Full Results – Doubles Events (Tuesday 18th April)

2017 Caribbean Region Under 15 and Under 18 Championships: First stage results – Junior Boys’ Singles, Junior Girls’ Singles, Cadet Boys’ Singles, Cadet Girls’ Singles (Monday 17th April)

2017 Caribbean Region Under 15 and Under 18 Championships: Full Team Results (Sunday 16th April)