by Ian Marshall, Editor
A group organized event, in Class 9, Hayuma Abe, a player with no world ranking, finished ahead of the Indonesian known simply as Kusnanto. Puerto Rico’s Shaquille Rivera ended the day in third place with Takumi Tsujimura, also from Japan concluding matters in fourth spot; fifth place finished in the hands of Chile’s Cristian Casal. Notably, Takumi Tsujimura and Shaquille Rivera commenced play at the respective top two names.
Impressive from Hayuma Abe, it was equally impressive from, Aleksy Kaniuka; the no.2 seed, he prevailed in Class 6-7. After recording a semi-final success in opposition to the host nation’s Emanuel Martinez by the very narrowest of decisions (15-13, 9-11, 11-2, 9-11, 13-11), he beat Chile’s Osvaldo Torres, the top seed, to seal the title (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9).
“I had some health issues ahead of the tournament, so I started with that disadvantage. I was honestly thinking just on surviving; it was difficult for me to even stay in play, to get the ball onto the table. I had a tremendous challenge in the semi-final and right after that I had to play this final. I don’t think I have any energy left. I think the fact of playing such a tough semi-final kind of kept me going, I had so much positive energy. I was euphoric after winning the fifth, it was such a boost. Probably I would have lost the gold medal match if I had stop to rest before the final. It is not over yet, I still have the team competition ahead. I’m happy, maybe not so much about my game but definitely about my attitude, I think mentality is like the fifth leg of the table. If you don’t have that, all of the rest might be useless. Now it’s time to give that to my team and go for another gold medal.” Aleksy Kaniuka
Unexpected outcomes; in the remaining Men’s Singles standing categories, the outcomes were as anticipated.
Luis Guarnieri Manara secured the Class 8 title beating Indonesia’s Leonardo Aritonang, the no.3 seed in the final in five games (11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6), the latter having in the penultimate round ousted Canada’s Ian Kent, the no.2 seed. He had prevailed in an equally close duel (11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7). In the counterpart semi-final, Luis Guarnieri Manara had also ended Canadian hopes, he overcame Curtis Caron (11-7, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4).
Hard fought success for Luis Guarnieri Manara, it was only slightly less exacting for David Jacobs; having recorded a semi-final success against colleague Komet Akbar (11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4), he secured the title at the final expense of Brazil’s Carlos Carbinatti (11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-2). In the counterpart semi-final, Carlos Carbinatti had beaten Chile’s Manuel Echaveguren (13-11, 11-3, 11-6).
“It is my first time in Buenos Aires, I’m very happy because I knew in advance this is a tournament with a tradition. I wanted to play here, I have enjoyed it very much and to be the champion adds even more to this great feeling. I had to face a very good player in the final, my compliments to Carlos. My goal is to play at the next Paralympic Games and each win is a step towards that.” David Jacobs
Notably at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, David Jacobs was a Men’s Singles Class 10 bronze medallist.
2018 Copa Tango Para Open: Latest Results and Main Event Draws