Without doubt the last day of action belonged to France; in particular to 22 year old Clément Berthier, bronze medallist in men’s team class 8 alongside Thomas Bouvais at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
He partnered Romania’s Gabriela Constantin to mixed doubles class 14 success, at the final hurdle the pair accounting for Iraq’s Saeed Al Adilee and Zainab Farttoosi (11-6, 11-3, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10).
Less than one hour later, he was back in action, adding to his gold medal tally.
Joining forces with colleague, Esteban Herrault, in an all French men’s doubles class 14 final, the pair beat Kevin Dourbecker and Stéphane Messi (11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 11-5) to claim gold.
Not to be overshadowed by their compatriots, Emeric Martin and Florian Merrien secured the men’s doubles class 8 title, at the final hurdle ending the hopes of the host nation’s Mohamed Saleh and Raafat Toghian (4-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10).
Success for France, there was also success for neighbours, Belgium, as the curtain closed in Ismailia; Ben Despineux and Laurens Devos overcame Hungary’s Dezso Bereczki and Andras Csonka (11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11) to emerge the men’s doubles class 18 winners.
Two gold medals for Clément Berthier as the curtain closed, for India’s Sonalben Patel, it was mixed fortunes, gold and silver.
Partnering Kuwait’s Malak Ali in women’s doubles class 5-10, it was defeat in the final against Iraq’s Hadeel Al-Waeli and Rusul Al-Waeli (10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8).
Conversely, in mixed doubles class 4-7, alongside Rameshbhai Choudhary it was success. At the final hurdle the pair overcame Egypt’s Mohamed Saleh and Fatma Hussein (7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-7) to claim the top prize.
Attention now turns to Saint Quentin en Yvelines, the four day ITTF French Para Open 2022 commences on Thursday 5th May.
