by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
In the Men’s Team event, Andy Pereira is supported by Jorge Campos, Livan Martinez and Carlos Hernandez; notably both Andy Pereira and Jorge Campos were on duty at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Livan Martinez was also present at Liebherr 2017 World Championships.
They are the top seeds; the main threat to their aspirations comes from the Dominican Republic, led by Ivan Santos. A most loyal servant, he was in action when the Dominican Republic staged the 2005 ITTF World Cadet Challenge, since that date he has been ever present. He lines up alongside Samuel Galvez, Isaac Vila and Mariano Lockward.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Team event, Idalys Lovet, the winner of the Under 21 Women’s Singles title at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Chile Open joins forces with Lisi Castillo, Shelly Machado Fernandez and Karla Perez Gonzalez.
However, the quartet does not necessarily starts as favourites for gold; the Cubans occupy the second seeded position in a role reversal situation. The top seeded spot belongs to the Dominican Republic represented by Eva Brito, Esmerlyn Castro, Cinthya Sanchez and Dahyana Rojas.
Overall 52 men and 44 women will compete in Havana representing 13 associations: Aruba, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia plus Trinidad and Tobago.
A total of 10 events will be held: Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Under 21 Men’s Singles, Under 21 Women’s Singles, Over 45 Men’s Singles.
It is the 59th time that the tournament has been staged.
2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Prospectus (as on Monday 17th July)
2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Schedule of Play (Updated – Tuesaday 18th July)
2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Entries (Updated Tuesday 18th July)
2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Seeding – Team Events (Updated Tuesday 18th July)
2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: First Stage – Men’s Team Event (as on Tuesday 18th July)
2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: First Stage – Women’s Team Event (as on Tuesday 18th July)