by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
Mexico enjoyed their greatest level of success in the team events; they secured three of the four titles on offer in competitions organised on an all-play-all basis.
Represented by Diego Vazquez, Layan Neumann and Alberto Lopez, Junior Boys’ Team gold was clinched, an event in which eventual runners up, the El Salvadorian trio of Oliver Mendoza, Oscar Villalta and Diego Orantes offered the greatest resistance. A three-two verdict in favour of Mexico was the end result with Alberto Lopez the mainstay of victory. He beat both Oscar Villalta (6-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6) and Oliver Mendoza (11-8, 11-4, 11-3).
Likewise, en route to gold in the Junior Girls’ Team event, the Mexican trio comprising Lucia Fernandez, Clio Barcenas and Monica Muñoz experienced a tough test when confronting eventual silver medallists Guatemala. A three-two victory margin was the order of the day with Clio Barcenos paving the way. She accounted for both Hidalynn Zapata (6-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7) and Lucia Cordero (11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4).
Testing times but not for Mexico in the Cadet Girls’ Team competition; the combination of Marbella Aceves, Arantxa Cossio and Carla Montes emerged as champions without ever being extended the full five match distance. Guatemala’s Stephanie Orellana, Mariana Lopez and Jenny Cux finished in second place.
Three titles for Mexico, the one to elude their grasp came in the Cadet Boys’ Team category where the Costa Rica trio of Alfredo Sanchez, Ricardo Azofeifa and José Perez struck gold. Second place went to Guatemala’s Jorge Chacon, Sergio Carrillo and Enrique Tan; third spot was secured by Panama’s Gabriel Lewis, Jacobo Vahnish and Felipe Velarde.
However, it was Panama who provided the champions elect with the toughest task; a three-two win for Costa Rica was the end result with Alfredo Sanchez the hero of the hour. He beat Felipe Velarde (11-1, 11-3, 11-2), before recovering to overcome Jacobo Vahnish by the very narrowest of margins (3-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 14-12).
Meanwhile, in the doubles events pride of place went to Guatemala; Lucia Cordero and Hidalynn Zapata combined to win the Junior Girls’ Doubles title beating El Salvador’s Keren Bolanos Constanza and Monica Mendoza in the final (6-11, 11-4, 13-11, 11-9). Similarly, Sergio Carmillo and Diego de la Cruz emerged as Cadet Boys’ Doubles champions. At the final hurdle they accounted for Costa Rica’s Ricardo Azofeifa and Alfredo Sanchez (11-5, 11-5, 11-9).
Success for Guatemala, there was also further success for Mexico, Marbella Aceves and Arantxa Cossio combined to win the Cadet Girls’ Doubles event beating colleagues Aurora Andrade and Carla Montes in the final (11-6, 11-3, 11-6).
Four titles overall for Mexico, there was one for Nicaragua. Gary Castro and Genaro Rouston combined to win Junior Boys’ Doubles gold; at the final hurdle they beat El Salvador’s Oliver Mendoza and Oscar Villalta (10-12, 11-4, 11-4, 11-6).
2018 Central American Junior and Cadet Championships: Entries and Team Seeding (Tuesday 20th February)
2018 Central American Junior and Cadet Championships: Results – Team Events (Wednesday 21st February)
2018 Central American Junior and Cadet Championships: Results – Team Events (Wednesday 21st February)