by Ian Marshall, Editor
In the later rounds of the junior girls’ singles event, Helga Dari accounted for Burundi’s Mamounata Derra (11-1, 11-5, 11-5, 11-3), prior to overcoming the host nation’s Julie Kayembe (11-2, 11-4, 11-8, 11-4); the wins booked her place in the penultimate round where Oumehani Hosenally, her doubles partner awaited.
There was not an ounce of charity, a straight games win (11-6, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7) was the order of the day.
A most impressive performance from Helga Dari, it was the same in the opposite half of the draw from Oumehani Hosenally; at the quarter-final stage she beat Congo Brazzaville’s Nzangani Kindandi (11-7, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7), prior to ending the hopes of Togo’s Ayoko Amah (11-5, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10).
Emphatic success apart, it was the same together; a straight games win in opposition to Angola’s Eugenia Simoes and Kailane Sousa (11-3, 11-9, 11-3) secured the junior girls’ doubles title.
Notable performance
Performances of note, it was no different in the junior boys’ singles event. The host nation’s Exauce Ngefuassa secured the title, accounting for Congo Brazzaville’s Dryche Ekoya Kanga (11-7, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6) at the final hurdle.
En route the final, in the later rounds, he had beaten Congo Brazzaville’s Arxy Gauchy (11-2, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4), prior to overcoming colleague Noredi Bongo (11-9, 13-11, 11-4, 11-6).
Worthy wins; for Dryche Ekoya Kanga it was hard fought wins as he overcame adversaries from the home country. At the quarter-final stage, he beat Josue Olenga (15-17, 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-2), followed by success against Christian Mbongia, a contest in which he recovered from a three games to nil deficit to secure victory (6-11, 4-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11, 11-7).
Gold in the junior boys’ singles for Exauce Ngefuassa , it was the same colour in the junior boys’ doubles; partnering Christian Mbongia, the pair accounted for Noredi Bongo and Rabby Kasota to seal the title in a contest that witnessed a most dramatic finish (11-6, 12-10, 1-11, 5-11, 19-17).
Younger age groups
Meanwhile in the younger age groups it was success followed by success for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Exauce Diampovisa won the cadet boys’ singles title, Julie Kembe secured the counterpart cadet girls’ singles top prize. Adding to her gold medal tally, Julie Kembe partnered Muteba Dialumona to cadet girls’ doubles success, Kididi Mata and Christian Muta joined forces to emerge the cadet boys’ doubles winners.
Success for Kididi Mata, in addition he claimed the mini-cadet boys’ single top prize, also from Congo Democratic, Blessing Mbela emerged the mini-cadet girls’ singles champion.
