by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

However, the first place secured by Jerusalen Flores and Valentina Rios in the Girls’ Team event was not to be anticipated; the Chilean duo rose to the occasion.

In their opening fixture, they accounted for the top seeded Brazilian partnership formed by Beatriz Kimoto and Livia Lima. Mainstay of the victory was Valentina Rios; she maintained her nerve to win two hard fought full distance contests. She accounted for Beatriz Kimoto in the opening match of the fixture (11-8, 4-11, 11-5, 13-15, 11-8), before sealing the victory by defeating Livia Lima (11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-3). Sandwiched in between she partnered Jerusalen Flores to doubles success (9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 14-12).

Success against Brazil, the Chilean duo secured first place in the group by recording a second three-one win; this time against Peru, represented by Gianella Huapaya and Kelly Santur. Once again Valentina Rios remained unbeaten; she accounted for Gianella Huapaya (11-7, 11-9, 11-4) and Kelly Santur (11-6, 2-11, 11-6, 11-9), whilst teaming with Jerusalen Flores to win the doubles (11-8, 11-7, 3-11, 11-7).

Earlier in their opening contest, Beatriz Kimoto and Livia Lima had likewise beaten Gianella Huapaya and Kelly Santur by three matches to nil and thus secured second position in the group and a place in the semi-finals.

A surprise first place for Chile; in the corresponding group, it was a similar scenario. Represented by Manuela Echeverry and Juliana Rodriguez, a three-one win was posted against the second seeded Paraguayan outfit formed by Karimi Apud and Leyla Gomez; before, by the very same margin, top place was secured with victory over Argentina’s Camila Kaizoji and Daniela Zapatero.

Karimi Apud and Leyla Gomez, by virtue of a three-nil win against Camila Kaizoji and Daniela Zapatero, finished in second place.

Meanwhile, in the Boys’ Team event there were no such upsets. In addition to Nicolas Burgos and Andres Martinez; Argentina’s Martin Bentancor and Leandro Fuentes,the no.2 seeds, finished in first place in their group, as did Brazil’s Rafael Torino and Guilherme Teodoro,the no.3 seeds.

Respective second places were secured by Guyana’s Nickolus Romain and Miguel Wong, alongside Peru’s Rodrigo Hidalgo and Jhon Loli.

The quarter and semi-finals of the Boys’ Team event, in addition to the semi-finals of the Girls’ Team competition will be held on Thursday 5th October.

2017 South American Youth Games: Entry List

2017 South American Youth Games: Schedule of Play

2017 South American Youth Games: Seeding – Team Events

2017 South American Youth Games: Seeding – Doubles Events

2017 South American Youth Games: Seeding – Singles Events

2017 South American Youth Games: Results – Junior Boys’ Team (Wednesday 4th October)

2017 South American Youth Games: Results – Junior Girls’ Team (Wednesday 4th October)

2017 South American Youth Games: Draw – Boys’ Singles – First Stage

2017 South American Youth Games: Draw – Girls’ Singles – First Stage

2017 South American Youth Games: Draw – Boys’ Doubles

2017 South American Youth Games: Draw – Girls’ Doubles

2017 South American Youth Games: Draw – Mixed Doubles