05/04/2012 ITTF Latin American Cup

No less the five players who have won gold in the Women’s Singles event at annual Latin American Championships will be on duty at the ITTF-Latin American Cup to be staged in San José, Costa Rica from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th May 2012.

Brazil’s Jessica Yamada, the winner in March in Rio de Janeiro at the ITTF-Latin American Championships will be in action in the small Central American country, as will the player she beat in the final compatriot, Ligia Silva.

In Rio de Janeiro, 22 year old Jessica Yamada kept her nerve and her concentration to recored a close seven games victory over her 31 year old adversary.

Intriguing Challenge
They are from different generations and in the Women’s event that is the intriguing factor.

Can the rising generation challenge the established leading Latin Americans in an event where all 12 players are born and bred in the continent.

The Most Experienced
Chile’s 40 year Berta Rodriguez, twice the Latin American Women’s Singles champion, is the most experienced on duty, she was crowned champion in both 2001 in Guatemala and one year later in Santo Domingo.

Fifth Appearance
Also representing the experienced group is Venezuela’s Fabiola Ramos, like Berta Rodriguez, she will be on duty at the forthcoming London Olympic Games, her fifth consecutive appearance in the Olympic Games.

Now 34 years old, she won the Women’s Singles titles at the Latin American Championships in 2003 in El Salvador.

London Bound
London bound with tickets booked for the journey to England’s capital city in July are Ligia Silva and Mexico’s Yadira Silva.

Both are former Latin American Women’s Singles champions. Beaten in the final earlier this year by Jessica Yamada, Ligia Silva won in 2006 in Medellin and three years later in San Salvador.

Meanwhile 26 year old Yadira Silva succeeded in Cancun in 2010.

Benefited from ITTF Global Junior Programme
They have the experience but will the eventual winner emanate from the group of players who have benefited from playing in competitions that form the ITTF Junior Circuit?
There are three players in action who have all won Girls’ Singles titles on the ITTF Junior Circuit.

Now 23 years old, Colombia’s Paula Medina won in 2005 in Brazil and two years later in Ecuador, whilst one year ago reached the semi-final stage in Rio de Janeiro at the inaugural ITTF-Latin American Cup.

Talented Brazilian
The Colombian, like the more senior players who will be competing, has qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games as has Brazil’s 16 year old Caroline Kumahara, a player in form.

Earlier this year she collected no less than her third ITTF Junior Circuit Girls’ Singles title, when she won in Argentina: in fact she regained the title. She won in Argentina in 2010, in addition to succeeding in Venezuela.

Won in Malta
Similarly, Puerto Rico’s 18 year old Carelyn Cordero has enjoyed success this year on the ITTF Junior Circuit, she won in Malta to collect her second such crown, having won in 2022 in El Salvador.

Regional Champions
Also on duty in Costa Rica are the three regional champions.

Chile’s 27 year old Maria Paulina Vega, the South American champion, will be in action alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s 26 year old Rheann Chung, the Latin American champion and Guatemala’s Mabelyn Enriquez, the 16 year old Central American champion.

Local Hope
Add to the equation, 21 year old Angie Araya, the host nation representation and the plot thickens.

The Women’s champion, is it experience or youth? At the ITTF-Latin American Championships in early March it was youth in the guise of Jessica Yamada that prevailed. In San Jose will that scenario be repeated or will experience extract revenge?

Promotion
An exciting tournament awaits and it is being promoted positively.

ITTF-Latin American Cup visit: Copa Fecoteme

Players
1. Jessica Yamada (Brazil) - Latin American Champion 2012
2. Mabelyn Enriquez (Guatemala) - Central American Champion
3. Paulina Vega (Chile) - South American Champion
4. Rheann Chung (Trinidad and Tobago) - Caribbean Champion
5. Angie Araya (Costa Rica) - Host Nation Representative
6. Ligia Silva (Brazil) - London 2012 Olympic Games Qualifier
7. Paula Medina (Colombia) - London 2012 Olympic Games Qualifier
8. Yadira Silva (Mexico) - London 2012 Olympic Games Qualifier
9. Caroline Kumahara (Brazil) - London 2012 Olympic Games Qualifier
10. Fabiola Ramos(Venezuela) - London 2012 Olympic Games Qualifier
11. Berta Rodriquez (Chile) - London 2012 Olympic Games Qualifier
12. Carelyn Cordero (Puerto Rico) - Latin American Table Tennis Union Ranking