by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Success for Mohamed Bakar but it was hard fought success. He was severely tested by Turkey’s Faith Erden in the final, eventually prevailing in a hard fought full distance five games contest (12-10, 6-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-7).

“It was a keen fight all the way with me winning three-two and 11-7 in the last game. I believe the advantage I had was my service which he found a little difficult to return. It was my first time playing Erden; fortunately I was able to keep calm and control my nerves in the last game.” Mohamed Bakar

Hard fought success for Mohamad Bakar; it was less exacting for Chee Chao Ming. He overcame colleague Ting Ing Hook, the top seed, to secure the Class 9 title, the latter being forced to withdraw in the final at the end of the opening game.

An unfortunate end but a clear cut decision, for Algeria’s Farid Merazka, who like Chee Chao Ming started proceedings as the second seed, life was much more dramatic en route to claimed the Class 6 top prize.

On the opening day of play he had remained unbeaten, the significant contest being his success over Palestine’s Ali Ahmed; he had emerged successful in three straight games (11-9, 11-7, 11-7). Conversely, India’s Sanjeev Hammannavar, the top seed, had experienced defeat at the hands of Ali Ahmed; he had been beaten in five games (8-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-4).

Entering the second day unbeaten, Farid Merazka was unable to maintain his unblemished record; he was narrowly beaten in five games by Sanjeev Hammannavar, after holding a two games to nil lead (9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 15-13).

Thus three players level, games ratio determined the outcome; the end result was first place for Farid Merazka (5:3), followed by Sanjeev Hammannavar (5:5) and Ali Ahmed (3:5).

Success for Algeria and Malaysia; also, in the Men’s Singles Standing Classes there was also success for Egypt and the Ivory Coast,

In group organised events, Ahmed Sayed won Class 7 to bring Egypt success, finishing ahead of India’s Shariq Nain and Jordan’s Mohammad Al-Najadat; in Class 8 Kouame Kouadio raised the banner for the Ivory Coast. He ended the day ahead of Algeria’s Bachir Belakin with Palestine’s Ahmad Sajdeya in the bronze medal positon.

Play in the individual events concluded; next on the agenda are the team competitions; play concludes in Amman on Wednesday 22nd November.

Al-Watani Para Open: Latest results and forthcoming matches