by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Top spot in the initial phase group secured the previous day; at the semi-final stage Mexico accounted for the El Salvadorian trio comprising Julio Calderon, Oliver Mendoza and Oscar Villalta by three matches to nil, prior to recording a three-one win in opposition to Guatemala’s Allan Guttierrez, Kevin Montufar and Heber Moscoso.

Mainstay of the success in the title deciding contest was Ricardo Villa; in hard fought engagements he beat both Kevin Montufar (11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10) and Heber Moscoso (11-4, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7). The one remaining success for Mexico was secured by Carlos Zamora; in the third match of the fixture, he accounted for Allan Guttierez (11-8, 11-8, 11-5).

Third place finished in the hands of El Salvador who with Samuel Alfonso replacing Oliver Mendoza in the line-up recorded a three-two win in opposition to the Costa Rican trio of Daniel Araya, Steve Herra and Jeison Martinez.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Team competition, organised on a group all-play-all basis; the vital contest between the hitherto unbeaten outfits witnessed success for the El Salvadorian trio comprising Emme Arias, Monica Mendoza and Estefania Ramirios in opposition to Guatemala’s Lucia Cordero, Mabelyn Enriquez and Andrea Montufar.

Backbone of the El Salvadorian victory was Estefania Ramirios who remained unbeaten throughout the whole event. She accounted for Mabelyn Enriquez in the opening match of the fixture (12-14, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4), before in the fourth contest bringing matters to a conclusion by recovering from a two games to nil deficit to overcome Lucia Cordero in an equally hard fought contest (8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9).

The one further win for the victors was secured by Monica Mendoza; in the third match of the engagement, she defeated Andrea Montufar (7-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-9).

Mexico represented by Marbella Acevez, Alejandrina Mendez and Monica Muñoz duly finished in the bronze medal position.

The winners decided in the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events; the finalists in both the Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles competitions are known.

In the Men’s Doubles final Miguel Lara and Ricardo Villa meet Kevin Montufar and Heber Moscoso; in the Women’s Doubles title decider, Emme Arias and Estefania Ramirios confront Mabelyn Enriquez and Andrea Montufar.

At the semi-final stage Miguel Lara and Ricardo Villa beat Guatemala’s Josué Archilla and Allan Guttierez (11-9, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8); Kevin Montufar and Heber Moscoso defeated Mexico’s Diego Vasquez and Carlos Zamora (11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8).

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Doubles semi-finals, Emme Arias and Estefania Ramirios accounted for colleagues Keren Bolanos Constanza and Cecilia Orantes (11-9, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8); Mabelyn Enriquez and Andrea Montufar ended the hopes of Monica Mendoza and Wang de Ying, also from El Salvador.

Play concludes on Sunday 27th 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 (Friday 25th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – Women’s Team (Friday 25th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – Men’s Doubles (Friday 25th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – Women’s Doubles (Friday 25th May)

2018 Central American Championships: First Stage -Men’s Singles (Friday 25th May)

2018 Central American Championships: First Stage -Women’s Singles (Friday 25th May)