Nicolas Burgos repeats Santo Domingo success, once again the nemesis of Brazil

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

In the final of the Boys’ Singles event at the 2017 South American Youth Games on home soil in Santiago, he beat Guilherme Teodoro in six games (11-3, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7) to capture the prestigious title.

Once again the 15 year old was the nemesis of Brazil and not just in the final; at the quarter-final stage he beat Rafael Torino (11-8, 11-8, 14-12, 11-3), before in the penultimate round overcoming Peru’s Rodrigo Hidalgo (4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8).

A testing semi-final contest for Nicolas Burgos; for Guilherme Teodoro, it was not only an exacting penultimate round duel, it was equally difficult at the quarter-final stage. After accounting for Colombia’s Santiago Montes (11-6, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4), he needed six games to overcome Chile’s Andres Martinez (11-4, 11-13, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3). A tough quarter-final duel, it was the same one round later at the semi-final stage; likewise he required six games to end the hopes of Argentina’s Leandro Fuentes (7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6).

Disappointment for Brazil in the Boys’ Singles event; in the counterpart Girls’ Singles competition it was success; Livia Lima struck gold.

At the final hurdle she accounted for the host nation’s Valentina Rios (13-11, 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9), having at the quarter and semi-final stages ended the hopes of Argentina. Furthermore, she ended Argentine hopes in impressive fashion, straight games wins were the order of the day; she beat Daniela Zapatero (11-8, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7) and Camila Kaizoji (11-9, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6) to reserve her place in the title decider.

Impressive from Livia Lima, in the opposite half of the draw it had been impressive from Valentina Rios but much harder work.

She accounted for Ecuador’s Nathaly Paredes by the very narrowest of margins at the quarter-final stage (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9), prior to recording a six games win over Paraguay’s Leyla Gomez in the penultimate round (8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9, 11-4).

Success for Livia Lima meant that she departed Santiago, the most successful player in the whole tournament. In addition to winning the Girls’ Singles event; earlier in the proceedings, partnering Beatriz Kimoto she had won both the Girls’ Team and Girls’ Doubles titles, whilst also partnering Guilherme Teodoro to Mixed Doubles bronze.

2017 South American Youth Games: Full Results (Sunday 8th 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 – Boys’ Tean (Thursday 5th October)

2017 South American Youth Games: Results – Girls’ Team (Thursday 5th October)

2017 South American Youth Games: Results – Boys’ Singles – First Stage (Friday 6th October)

2017 South American Youth Games: Results – Boys’ Singles – Main Draw (Sunday 8th October)

2017 South American Youth Games: Results – Girls’ Singles – First Stage (Friday 6th October)

2017 South American Youth Games: Results – Girls’ Singles – Main Draw (Sunday 8th October)