by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Current listed at no.13 on the Women’s Class 2 World Rankings, Maria Garrone, 20 years old, won Women’s Singles Class 2-5 in Santiago; furthermore, one year ago at the 2015 Copa Tango she also enjoyed success.
She was a bronze medallist in Women’s Singles Class 1-3, before later in the tournament securing gold in partnership with Sweden’s Ana-Carin Ahlqhuist.
Likewise, compatriot 23 year old Alejandro Perez, who won gold in Men’s Singles Class 8 last week in Santiago, enjoyed success at the 2015 Copa Tango. Again competing in Men’s Singles Class 8, he was a silver medallist and, with Italy’s Samuel de Chiara, the runner up in Men’s Team Class 8.
Success in Santiago; there was also success for Chile’s Matias Pino and Alvaro Vega; both names appear on the Buenos Aires entry list.
Matias Pino won the Men’s Singles Class 6-7, Alvaro Vega was anointed the Class 9-10 champion.
The win secured by 19 year old Matias Pino added to the Men’s Singles Class 6 title won at the 2015 Para Pan American Games in Markham, Toronto; whilst for 17 year old Alvaro Vega it was a watershed.
It was his first ever international title of note; his previous best was a silver medal in Men’s Singles Class 10 at the 2014 Para South American Games, coincidentally also organised in Chile.
In order to compete in the Para Junior events this year, a player must be born on or after Friday 1st January 1993.
A total of 54 players, 41 men and 13 women will compete in the junior events; in addition to Argentina the countries represented are Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Russia, Uruguay and Venezuela.
2016 Copa Tango Junior Open Championships: Draw and Full Results