by Ian Marshall, Editor
A fourth title and four in a row, last year the tournament was not staged, the South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia, replacing the event on the international calendar.
Eyes focus on title retention for the 28 year from Guayaquil but first the task is to lead his colleagues to success in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games qualification tournament. He lines up alongside two left handers, Emiliano Riofrio and Rodrigo Tapia, both players who in their younger days enjoyed notable success. In 2013 in Lima, Emiliano Riofrio won the cadet boys’ singles title at the Latin American Junior and Cadet Championships; three years earlier, Rodrigo Tapia had competed in the inaugural Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
Much will rest on the shoulders of Alberto Miño; Ecuador being the second seeds; the top seeded spot is occupied by Venezuela who select from Jonathan Pino, Marcos Navas, Cecilio Correa and Angelo Millan.
Likewise, in the counterpart women’s team event, Chile the top seeds, will very much look towards Paulina Vega. She is supported by Judith Morales, Daniela Ortega and Valentina Rios; next in line is the Colombia trio formed by Paula Medina, Corry Tellez and Maria Perdomo.
Intriguing contests, little margin for error, delight and disappointment but at the end of the day one more name will be added to list of 12 outfits in each of the men’s and women’s team competition who will vie for honours in Lima.
Qualified Teams for Pan American Games (as on Monday 25th March)
Host Nation
Men: Peru
Women: Peru
2018 Pan American Championships
Men: Brazil, United States, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Cuba
Women: Brazil, United States, Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Argentina
2019 Caribbean Qualification
Men: Puerto Rico
Women: Dominican Republic
2019 Central America Qualification
Men: to be advised
Women: to be advised
2019 North America Qualification
Men: to be advised
Women: to be advised
2019 South America Qualification
Men: to be advised
Women: to be advised
Once completed there is one more position available in each of the men’s team and women’s team events. The leading team among the first 20 Pan American listed teams on the world ranking, gains the final place.
