by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
Likewise in the Women’s Team competition conducted on an all play all basis, it was a successful day for the leading outfits.
Once again Guatemala featured, the top seeds with Lucia Cordero, Mabelyn Enriquez, Andrea Montufar and Hidalynn Zapata forming the selection, the day concluded with medal ambitions very much intact.
It was much the same for El Salvador for whom Emme Arias, Monica Mendoza, Estefania Ramirios and Wang de Ying formed the squad. They could not quite match Guatemala, who ended the day without surrendering a single individual game, but a three matches to one victory against Mexico’s Marbella Acevez, Alejandrina Mendez and Monica Muño followed by the same score-line in opposition to Costa Rica’s Angie Araya, Nicole Granados and Brenda Vasquez kept the host on course for a podium finish.
Mainstay of the El Salvadorian success was Estefania Ramirios; she remained unbeaten throughout the day. Against Mexico she beat Monica Muñoz (11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8) and Marbella Aceves (7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6); in opposition to Costa Rica, she overcame Nicole Granados (11-7, 11-5, 11-8) and Angie Araya (11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4).
Meanwhile, in the Men’s Team event where there were two groups in the first stage; outfits finishing in first and second positions in each group advancing to the main draw, Costa Rica and El Salvador finished in respective runners up spots behind Mexico and Guatemala.
Costa Rica fielded the trio of Daniel Araya, Jeison Martinez and Victor Urena; for El Salvador, the line-up was Samuel Alfonso, Julio Calderon and Oscar Villalta.
Both the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events conclude on Friday 25th May.
2018 Central American Championships: Schedule of Play
2018 Central American Championships: List of Entries
2018 Central American Championships: Team Seeding List
2018 Central American Championships: Results – Men’s Team Event (Thursday 24th May)
2018 Central American Championships: Results – Women’s Team Event (Thursday 24th May)
2018 Central American Championships: Draw – Men’s Doubles (Amended – Friday 25th May)
2018 Central American Championships: Draw – Women’s Doubles (Friday 25th May)
2018 Central American Championships: Draw – Mixed Doubles (Friday 25th May)
