by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
At the final hurdle Chan Yook Fo accounted for Madagascar’s Zonandriana Razafindralambo (11-6, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8), having at the quarter-final stage beaten Godrey Sultan from the Seychelles (11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6) and colleague Allan Arnachellum in the penultimate round (3-11, 16-14,11-7,11-9, 9-11, 11-6).
In the opposite half of the draw, in the round of the last eight, Zonandriana Razafindralambo had beaten Kenya’s Brian Mutua (9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10), prior to reserving his place in the final courtesy of success in opposition to Jason Pointoise, also from Mauritius (10-12, 12-10, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9).
Success for Chan Yook Fo and thus three titles; earlier in the proceedings, alongside Allan Arnachellum and Jason Pointoise he had been a member of the successful outfit in the Men’s Team event and with Allan Arnachellum had secured the Men’s Doubles title, the duo beating Kenya’s Josiah Wandera and Brian Mutua in the final.
Madagascar represented by Mamy Setra Rakitorisa, Sirtak Andrianatoandro and Zonandriana Razafindralambo finished in runners up spot in the Men’s Team event with Kenya who selected from Josiah Wandera, Brian Mutua, Peter Theuri and Kunal Arora in third place.
Three titles for Chan Yook Fo; it was exactly the same for Nandeshwaree Jalim.
She joined forces with Caroline Ramasawmy and Ruqayyah Kinoo to win the Women’s Team title, finishing ahead of Uganda’s Halimams Nambozo, Ritams Nakhumitsa and Reginams Nakibuule with Kenya’s Sejal Thakkar, Sandra Nyagah and Ivy Wabomba in third place.
Gold in the Women’s Team event was followed by the same colour medal in the Women’s Doubles competition; partnering Caroline Ramasawmy, the duo secured the top prize at the final expense of Halimams Nambozo, Ritams Nakhumitsa (11-5, 11-1, 7-11, 6-11, 11-9).
Two titles secured, Nandeshwaree Jalim applied the icing to the cake by winning the Women’s Singles event. In impressive form, she beat Christy Bristol of the Seychelles at the quarter-final stage (11-2, 12-10, 13-11, 6-11, 11-7), prior to overcoming Uganda’s Halima Nambozo (6-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-9, 11-5) and colleague, Ruqayyah Kinoo (11-2, 12-10, 13-11, 6-11, 11-7) to arrest the title.
Hard earned success for Nandeshwaree Jalim, it had been the same in the opposite half of the draw for Ruqayyah Kinoo as she ended the hopes of Uganda. In the round of the last eight, she had beaten Reginams Nakibuule (11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8), prior to reserving her place in the final courtesy of success in opposition to Ritams Nakhumitsa (8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9).
Chan Yook Fo and Nandeshwaree Jalim now qualify for the 2018 Africa Cup.
2017 East African Championships: Results (Friday 15th December)