by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

The success of Lucia Cordero was somewhat anti-climactic; due to face colleague Mabelyn Enriquez in the final, injury forced the latter to withdraw having at the quarter-final stage beaten Mexico’s Monica Muñoz (4-11, 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 14-12) and one round later El Salvador’s Estefania Ramirios by the very narrowest of decisions (6-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9).

A hard journey to the final took its toll; for Lucia Cordero the path was less demanding.

Required to compete in the opening round, as opposed to Mabelyn Enriquez who had received a direct entry from the group phase to the quarter-finals, Lucia Cordero beat the host nation’s Cecilia Orantes (11-5, 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3), prior to ending the hopes of Mexico. She accounted for Marbella Aceves (11-3, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5) and Alejandrina Mendez (11-7, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7) to reserve her place in the final.

Lucia Cordero, the Women’s Singles champion (Photo: Tomas Romero)

Impressive from Lucia Cordero, it was the same from Ricardo Villa who at no stage of the Men’s Singles event was extended the full distance.

Safely through to the main draw, he beat Costa Rica’s Daniel Araya (11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7), prior to proving the nemesis of Guatemala. He accounted for Kevin Montufar (5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8) and Heber Moscoso (14-12, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9), before securing the title at the final expense of Allan Gutierrez (9-11, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-7).

Meanwhile, for Allan Gutierrez, it was just one Mexican too many. In the opening round he had overcome El Salvador’s Harold Leiva (11-7, 13-15, 11-6, 11-1, 11-8), before ending the hopes of Carlos Zamora (9-11, 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 13-11) and Miguel Lara (11-7, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9) to reserve his place in the final.

Overall a total of 27 men and 27 women participated, the national associations represented being Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama.

2018 Central American Championships: Full Results and Roll of Honour (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 (Saturday 27th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – Women’s Doubles (Saturday 27th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – Women’s Doubles (Saturday 27th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – First Stage – Men’s Singles (Saturday 27th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – Main Draw – Men’s Singles (Sunday 27th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – First Stage – Women’s Singles (Saturday 27th May)

2018 Central American Championships: Results – Main Draw – Women’s Singles (Sunday 27th May)