by Ian Marshall, Editor

Defeat at the hands of Argentina’s Marie Garrone (11-9, 15-13, 7-11, 11-9) had been the shock result in the initial stage of proceedings; in the main draw, Anna-Carin Ahlquist set the record straight in no uncertain terms. Three matches required, three straight games wins.

After accounting for Japan’s Yukimi Chada, the no.3 seed (11-9, 11-5, 11-6) and Mexico’s Edith Sigala, the no.2 seed (11-7, 11-6, 11-2), she avenged the defeat of the previous day; she beat Marie Garrone (11-8, 11-3, 16-14) to secure the title.

Hard fought success

Success for Anna-Carin Ahlquist, it was the same in women’s singles class 6-10 for Kelly Van Zon of the Netherlands, the top seed but in a rather different manner.

At the semi-final stage she was stretched to the limit by Mirjana Lucic, the no.2 seed (11-7, 8-11, 13-11, 8-11, 12-10), before in the final overcoming Romania’s Ioana-Monica Tepelea in an equally close encounter (13-11, 7-11, 8-11, 11-8).

Disappointment for Ioana-Monica Tepelea but an outcome that was arguably better than expected. Not seeded, it was the only defeat she suffered; in the group stage she had beaten Mirjana Lucic (11-6, 11-7, 11-9), to reserve her place in the main draw where she accounted for compatriot Gabriela Constantin (11-3, 11-4, 11-4) to reserve her place in the final.

Steven Roman excels

A fine effort from Ioana-Monica Tepelea, it was the same from the host nation’s Steven Roman on a day when the favourites prevailed; the only exception being in men’s singles class 5 when at the final hurdle Japan’s Kentaro Doi, the no.2 seed, overcame Argentina’s Elias Romero, the top seed (11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5).

Notably in men’s singles class 8, not seeded, Steven Roman reached the final, losing to the leading name on duty, Sweden’s Linus Karlsson (4-11, 14-12, 15-13, 11-9).

Earlier, at the quarter-final stage he had beaten Japan’s Arufuahirokazu Tateishi (13-11, 11-6, 11-5), before in the penultimate round causing the biggest upset of the day. He ousted Slovakia’s Richard Csejtey, the no.2 seed (12-10, 6-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-6).

Top seeds succeed

Gold for Linus Karlsson, gold for the top seed; it was the same scenario in the all remaining men’s singles events.

Colleague, Carl Ohgren (class 3) enjoyed success, as did Slovakia’s Peter Mihalik (class 4) and Miroslav Jambor (class 6-7). Likewise, Spain’s José Manuel Reyes (class 10) claimed the top prize, a scenario that also applied to Japan’s Haruna Abe. Furthermore there was success for Chile’s Luis Bustamente (class 1-2), a player with a liking for San José; he won the same title last year.

Individual events completed, attention now turns to the team competition, play in Costa Rica concludes on Saturday 14th December.

2019 ITTF Para Copa Costa Rica: Group Stage, Main Draw and Latest Results

2020 Paralympic Games: Qualification Guide

2020 Paralympic Games: Tournament Credit System

2020 Paralympic Games: Region Continental Qualifiers