Gold medallist at the Lima 2019 Para Pan American Games, on Monday 6th June at the Copa Cristina Hoffmann 2022 in the Mexican resort of Cancun, Tamara Leonelli replicated the performance of two years earlier.
The 25-year-old Chilean won women’s singles class 4-5, causing somewhat of an upset on a day when proceedings went very much according to status.
Remaining unbeaten throughout, in a group organised contest, she finished ahead of Valerie Rolph from the United States and the host nation’s top seeded Martha Verdin. Also from Mexico, America Aguilar concluded the day in fourth position.
Otherwise, for the leading names it was a day without defeat; eyes firmly focused on adding to already impressive title hauls.
In the women’s events, Mexico’s Edith Sigala (class 2-3) reserved her semi-final place, as did Korea Republic’s Sin Nahea (class 1).
Similarly, in group administered competitions, Kelly van Zon of the Netherlands (class 7-8) and Colombia’s Jessica Alzate (class 9-10) each enjoyed success. They concluded the opening day of play as the only unbeaten players in their respective categories.
Imposing performances, it was the same in the men’s singles competition.
Competing in the wheelchair events, the United States duo of Jenson van Emburgh (class 2-3) and Ahad Sarand (class 5) both reserved semi-final places, as did the host nation’s Jesusn Sanchez (class 4).
Likewise, in the standing competitions Jean-Paul Montanus of the Netherlands (class 7) and Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri (class 8), duly advanced unscathed to the penultimate round; a situation that applied also to Tahl Leibovitz of the United States (class 9), Colombia’s Alvaro Puerto (class 10) and Venezuela’s Densos Martinez (class 11).
Success for Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri, it was the same for his colleague, Rungroj Thainiyom.
Competing in a class 6 group organised event, alongside Samuel Altshuler of the United States, he ended the opening day unbeaten.
Play in the men’s singles and women’s singles events concludes on Tuesday 7th June.
