by Ian Marshall

Selecting Rogelio Castro, Miguel Lara and Ricardo Villa, a 3-0 penultimate round win was recorded against the El Salvador trio comprising Edgardo Sanchez, Diego Orantes and Jaime Galeano, before a 3-1 success secured the title at the hands of Guatemala.

The mainstay of the victory against Guatemala was Ricardo Villa, who beat both Hector Gatica (11-6, 11-8, 11-6) and Heber Moscoso (3-11, 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7); the one further success was recorded by Rogelio Castro in opposition to Kevin Montufar (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6). Guatemala’s sole win came courtesy of Heber Moscoso, in the second match of the fixture he accounted for Miguel Lara (11-7, 11-8, 1-11, 11-9).

Earlier at the semi-final stage, with Allan Gutierrez preferred to Hector Gatica, Guatemala had posted a 3-0 win against the Nicaraguan outfit comprising Denilson Castellon, Gary Castro and Genaro Roustan.

Gold for Mexico, silver for Guatemala; in the women’s team event, conducted on an all-play-all basis, it was the same outcome. In the concluding fixture, Mexico secured a 3-1 success to claim the title.

Guatemala enjoyed the better start with Lucia Cordero beating Arantxa Cossio Aceves (6-11, 14-12, 11-8, 11-5) but from that moment forward, Mexico seized control.

Clio Barcenas accounted for both Hidalynn Zapata (11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8) and Lucia Cordero (12-14, 11-9, 11-5, 4-11, 11-4); sandwiched in between, Marbella Aceves overcame Andrea Montufar (11-4, 11-8, 13-11).

El Salvador with Keren Constanza, Cristina Machado and Gabriela Suarez on duty, recorded a 3-0 win against Costa Rica’s Sharon Diaz, Sofia Perez and Nicole Granados to decide third and fourth positions.

Overall a total of 31 men and 22 women took part in the six day tournament.