by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
First place in the group stage; at the final hurdle Merewalesi Roden accounted for Australia’s Amanda Tscharke (12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6), having at the semi-final stage beaten colleague Sainmili Naivalu (11-4, 11-6, 11-4). In corresponding penultimate round contest, Amanda Tscharke overcame Lisa di Toro, also from Australia (5-11, 11-7, 12-10, 6-11, 11-7).
Top spot for Merewalesi Roden in an event which witnessed two stages, for Rebecca Julian and Melissa Tapper it was the top step of the podium in competitions arranged on an all-play-all group formula.
Impressively in Class 6-8, Rebecca Julian finished ahead of Fiji’s Laniani Serukalou with Papua New Guinea’s Vero Nime in the third place. Similarly, imposing her authority on proceedings it was first place in Class 10 for Melissa Tapper. She finished ahead of compatriot Andrea McDonnell with Noela Olo from the Solomon Islands in the bronze medal position.
Likewise in the Men’s Singles events, Class 2-3 and Class 6-7 were played on a group basis. In the former Chen Junjian finished in first place with New Zealand’s James Goulding in second spot and Steven Gow, like Chen Junjian from Australia in third place. Meanwhile in the latter, the top three places all finished in Australian hands; Jake Ballestrino and Yasser Hussaini finished next in line to Trevor Hirth.
A good day for Australia; it was the same in Men’s Singles Class 4-5 where Caleb Crowden, after beating Tuvalu’s Ioane Hawaii by the narrowest of margins (11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10), secured the title in an equally thrilling contest at the hands of Fiji’s Iakoba Taberanibou (7-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-2, 13-11). In the counterpart semi-final, Iakoba Taberanibou had overcome Shadrack Timothy of the Solomon Islands (13-11, 11-5, 11-3).
Tense moments for Caleb Crowden; life was less dramatic for Nathan Pellisier in Men’s Singles Class 9-10. At the final hurdle he beat colleague Barak Mizrachi (10-12, 12-10, 15-13, 11-5), having ended in the hopes of New Zealand’s Victor Kamizona in the penultimate round (11-9, 11-1, 11-5).
A comprehensive semi-final win for Nathan Pellisier; it was the same for Barak Mizrachi. In the penultimate round he had beaten Fiji’s John Christopher (11-1, 11-3, 11-8).
2017 Oceania Para Championships: Latest results (Friday 14th April)