by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Partnering compatriot Gladys Blanqueto, the Mexicans experienced defeat at the final hurdle when facing Guatemala’s Kevin Montufar and Mabelyn Enriquez (11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-8).
Defeat for Ricardo Villa in the Mixed Doubles final, in the Men’s Doubles title deciding contest, as in the Men’s Singles event, it was success.
In all Mexican finals, he partnered Miguel Lara to Men’s Doubles gold, the pair beating Damien Arce and Guillermo Muñoz in the final (8-11, 7-11, 11-7, 15-13, 11-7), prior to clinching the Men’s Singles event at the expense of Damien Arce (11-6, 11-13, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7).
Earlier at the semi-final stage Ricardo Villa had beaten Miguel Lara (11-9, 13-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7); Damien Arce had overcome Kevin Montufar (8-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6).
Meanwhile, in the counterpart female events, on the concluding day of action there were two titles for El Salvador’s Estefania Ramirios.
A silver medallist in the Women’s Team competition when she had allied with Emme Arias, Gabriela Romero and Wang de Ying; she joined forces with Emme Arias to secure Women’s Doubles gold before clinching the Women’s Singles title.
Impressively, Emme Arias and Estefania Ramirios accounted for Mexico’s Gladys Blanqueto and Alejandra Cervantes in the Women’s Doubles final (12-10, 11-9, 12-10), prior to overcoming Andrea Estrada (11-3, 11-6, 11-9, 11-4) to be crowned Women’s Singles champion.
Silver for Guatemala, it was also bronze; earlier, in the penultimate round, Estefania Ramirios had beaten Mabelyn Enriquez (11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 12-14, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7); Andrea Estrada had overcome Andrea Montufar (11-6, 12-10, 13-11, 12-10).
Guatemala concluded proceedings with greatest medal haul.
They won two gold, two silver and eight bronze. Mexico secured the most titles winning three gold, four silver and two bronze. El Salvador, the one further country to secure the top step of the medal podium, ended matters with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Saturday 19th November: Full Results – 2016 Central American Championships