18 Nov 2016

Argentina followed by the host nation dominated proceedings on the first day of play, Thursday 17th November, at the 2016 Chile Para Open Championships in Santiago.

Overall a total of seven titles on offer, four finished in Argentine hands, three were secured by Chilean players.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Notably, Argentina secured gold in both Women’s Singles events with Maria Garrone and Giselle Muñoz emerging as the respective champions.

In group organised competitions, with play organised on an all-play-all basis, Maria Garrone won Class 2-5 finishing ahead of the Chilean trio comprising Tamara Monsalve, Sharon Tirado and Daniela Quintana.

It was a most impressive performance with Tamara Monsalve being the one player to test the champion elect; she extended Maria Garrone the full five match distance (13-11, 3-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6).

“I did not play an international tournament since the Toronto Parapan American Games in 2015, where I won a medal, I have played in local tournaments in Chile; I had good results today so that gives me confidence for the matches that are to follow”, Tamara Monsalve

Likewise, Giselle Muñoz, who competed in the recent Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, was equally in no mood for charity; not one game was surrendered as she secured first place in Class 6-8 and emulated Maria Garrone by finishing ahead of players from the host nation.

Claudia Hernandez concluded matters in second place ahead of Lilian Caballero, Daniela Perez and Camila Albana.

Meanwhile in the Men’s Singles events, the Argentine flag was flown high by Elias Romero and Alejandro Perez.

Elias Romero won Class 4-5 overcoming Chile’s Cristian Gonzalez at the final hurdle (11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-3), whilst Alejandro Perez secured the top prize in Class 8; in the title deciding contest, he accounted for Canada’s Curtis Caron (11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6).

Success for Argentina, success for Chile accrued courtesy of Alfonso Diaz, Matias Pino and Alvaro Vega.

Alfonso Diaz won Class 1-3; in a group organised event, he finished ahead of colleague Luis Bustamente and Argentina’s Guillermo Bustamente. Both from Chile, fourth place went to Andres Gomes with Francisco Chavez being the next in line.

Notably Alfonso Diaz emerged successful recording straight games wins on each visit to the table.

Likewise in the final of Class 6-7, it was a straight games win for Matias Pino; he accounted for compatriot Osvaldo Torres (13-11, 11-7, 11-3).

Gold for Matias Pino in style, for Alvaro Vega in Class 9-10, the final was much more testing; he needed the full five games to beat Brazil’s Claudio Massad, emerging victorious by the very narrowest of margins (11-8, 3-11, 7-11, 11-9, 13-11).

Individual events over, play now focuses on the team events; play concludes on Saturday 19th November.

Thursday 17th November: 2016 Chile Para Open Championships – Individual Events Results

Paralympics Para Table Tennis Chile Para Open Matias Pino Alvaro Vega Elias Romero Alejandro Perez Maria Garrone Giselle Muñoz Alfonso Diaz