by Ian Marshall, Editor
Against the odds they contested the class 8 final, Seyed Amirhossein emerging the winner in impressive fashion, he won in straight games (11-9, 11-7, 11-8), the success coming after both had caused semi-final surprises.
In the penultimate round, Seyed Amirhossein had beaten Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphatanasiri, the top seed (7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-4, 11.8), in the opposite half of the draw, Victor Farinloye had ended the hopes of Hungary’s Gyula Istvan Zborai, the no.2 seed (11-4, 6-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9).
A surprise outcome; it was not the situation in the remaining men’s singles standing categories. In each instance the final witnessed success for the top seed in opposition to the second seed.
Jean-Paul Montanus of the Netherlands won class 6-7, after overcoming Thailand’s Suriyone Thapaeng (11-3, 11-7, 11-5), he beat Belgium’s Ben Despineux, (11-3, 11-9, 13-11) to secure the title. Similarly, Laurens Devos clinched the class 9 top prize, semi-final success in opposition to Hungary’s Dezo Bereczki (11-8, 11-9, 11-3), later in the deciding contest he accounted for Nigeria’s Tajudeen Agunbale (11-5, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8).
Meanwhile, not to be upstaged Krisztian Gardos secured gold in class 10 and with a degree of style. Success against Thailand’s Bunpot Sillapakong to book his place in the final; he overcame Malaysia’s Mohamad Azwar Bakar to clinch gold (13-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4).
Proceedings in the men’s standing events concluded, play now continues with the men’s team standing class categories.
2019 Para Al-Watani Championships: Draws and Results