by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Success for Brazil and Colombia but somewhat contrary to expectations, the most successful country on view was Ecuador.

In the Under 11 events they emerged the dominant force. Henry Ibarra and Joshua Robayo won the Boys’ Team title; colleagues Fiorella Olaya and Maybelline Menendez emerged the Girls’ Team champions, an event in which they beat Angelica Arrellano and Maria José Borja, also from Ecuador, in the final.

Later Angelica Arrellano reserved the top step of the podium in the Girls’ Singles event whilst also partnering compatriot Maria José Borja to Girls’ Doubles success and Henry Ibarra to Mixed Doubles gold.

In addition, Henry Ibarra joined forces with Joshua Robayo to secure top place in the Boys’ Doubles competition; the only Under 11 title to elude the Ecuadorians being the Boys’ Singles captured by Colombia’s Felipe Otalvaro.

Similarly, in the Under 13 age group, Ecuador enjoyed success; Diego Piguave and Karol Calderon secured the Mixed Doubles title.

Meanwhile, Giulia Takahashi added to her list of titles by securing Girls’ Doubles gold in partnership with Beatriz Kanashiro whilst in the Boys’ Doubles competition, the top prize went the way of Argentina’s Francisco Carpio and Ulises Lemos.

Overall, in the points standing Ecuador (2,040 points) finished ahead of Brazil (1,210 points) and Colombia (1,190 points).

Furthermore, gender equality prevailed; 72 boys and 72 girls participated.

The countries present were; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

Most competently proceedings were administered locally by the far seeing Benjamin Real, the President of the Paraguay Table Tennis Federation and the Central American Table Tennis Confederation.

South American Under 13 and Under 11 Championships: Full Results (Sunday 20th May)

South American Under 13 and Under 11 Championships: Photographs