by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Both teams started proceedings as the second seeds, both excelled expectations to claim the top prize.

Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel recorded a two-nil win over Jordan’s Khetam Abuawad and Fatmeh Al-Azzam to secure the Women’s Team Class 3-5 title.

Meanwhile, after having recorded a two-one penultimate round semi-final success against the top seeded Turkish duo of Abdullah Ozturk and Nesim Turan; Mohamed Eid Saleh and Ehab Fetir continued their liking for Turkey. In the final they beat Suleyman Vural and Hamza Caliskan by two matches to nil and thus reversed the result of one day earlier; in the group stage they had suffered as two-one defeat

“We are very happy to have achieved this especially because of Turkey’s high ranking. In group match we were very tired; before the final we had rested. We decided to play an attacking game right from the start and think this made a difference”. Mohamed Eid Saleh

Victories contrary to expectations; in the remaining events in each instance the top seeds succeeded.

Jordan’s Islam Al-Yamani and Mazen Al-Shamaileh won Men’s Team Class 2-3, whilst Men’s Team Class 6-8 gold finished in the hands of the outfit formed by Egypt’s Moahmed Sayed, the Ivory Coast’s Kouame Kouadio and Jordan’s Mohammad Al-Najadat.

“Although all three of us are from different countries, we have known each other for many years and have also played together before. We took turns to play in each of our group matches. We are happy that our good partnership and co-operation has brought us success.” Moahmed Sayed

Success for Kouame Kouadio; in Class 9 it was success for his colleagues Abou Bakary Diarrassomba and Elleingand Etche Fattoh. In a group administered event they finished in first place ahead of Algeria’s Hoane Hadjira, Lakhdar Yessaad Chérif and Madari Zerigui

“We were surprised to find the Algerians were playing as such a high level. It was a big challenge for us to beat them. Also, our long journey did affect us but fortunately we got the better of them. We intend to train hard and to do well in the All African Para Championships which the Ivory Coast will be staging.” Hoane Abou Bakary Diarrassomba

Success for the Ivory Coast, in the one remaining event it was success for Malaysia; the combination of Mohamad Azwa Baka, Ting Ing Hoch and Chee Chao Ming won the Men’s Class 10 title.

Al-Watani Para Open: Latest results and forthcoming matches