by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Top prize in the individual event was somewhat to be expected, Sandra Mikolaschek commenced matters in the top seeded position; the team event, whilst not a great surprise, the win was less anticipated.

Lining up alongside Lisa Hentig, the duo began the event as the second seeds.

Impressively they finished ahead of the top seeded Great Britain trio comprising Sue Gilroy, Megan Shackleton and Lucie Bouron in a group organised event. Third place was secured by the pairing formed by the combination of Chile’s Tamara Leonelli and Femke Cobben of the Netherlands.

Disappointment for the British pair but they could return home pleased with their efforts; one day earlier Sue Gilroy had been the silver medallist in Class 4-5, beaten by Sandra Mikolaschek in the final; Lucie Bouron had won Class 1-3, her first ever such international title.

Gold for the second seeds, it was the same in Women’s Team Class 6-10. The Japanese duo of Yasuko Kudo and Tamano Suzuki emerged the successful outfit.

In the group stage of play, they secured first place ahead of the combination formed by Norway’s Aida Dahlen and Lucie Hautière of France. A place in the semi-final reserved, they overcame the partnership comprising Great Britain’s Felicity Picard and Costa Rica’s Aneth Araya by two matches to nil, prior to recording the same margin of victory in the final when facing the top seeded German partnership of Stephanie Grebe and Marlene Reeg.

Earlier at the semi-final stage Stephanie Grebe and Marlene Reeg had posted a two matches to nil success in opposition to Aida Dahlen and Lucie Hautière.

2017 Belgian Para Open: Review of Team Events (Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th October)

2017 Belgian Para Open: Latest Results