23 Nov 2017

Four titles on offer in the Men’s Singles standing categories on the penultimate day of action, Wednesday 22nd November, at the 2017 Copa Tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina; all four finished in Brazilian hands.

Paulo Salmin Filho, Francisco de Melo and Diego Moreira all reserved the top step of the podium, as did Carlos Caribinatti.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Impressively Paulo Salmin Filho secured the Class 7 title, accounting for Argentina’s Alksy Kaniuka in the final, a straight games verdict being outcome (11-5, 11-4, 11-5).

The win puts the 24 year old born in Barrabonha but now resident in Piricicaba in good stead for the forthcoming American Para Regional Championships to be staged in San José, Costa Rica from Thursday 30th November to Sunday 3rd December.

“The preparation for this tournament was really intense, for me and my teammates this tournament is a requirement to qualify for next year’s World Championships; now the final match is over, the only thing I can think about is to win the American Tournament in Costa Rica.” Paulo Salmin Filho

A fine effort from Paulo Salmin Filho, it was very much the same from Francisco de Melo and Diego Moreira.

Francisco de Melo secured the Class 8 title overcoming Ecuador’s David Vasquez in the final (10-12, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6), even more imposingly Diego Moreira accounted for Chile’s Manuel Echaveguren (11-3, 11-6, 11-6) to emerge as the Class 9 champion.

“Copa Tango is an interesting competition, the local competitors play really well. It is a test to prove myself and use all the things I’ve been practising this year. I’m going to Costa Rica to give my best and to achieve the first place.” Diego Moreira

Most worthy performances, it was the very same from Carlos Carbinatti in Class 10; he was not to be left out of the party. In a group organised event, in his concluding contest he beat Argentina’s Dario Neira (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) to maintain his unbeaten record and seal the top prize. Top spot for Brazil, it was also second place; Alexandre Pereira, who had beaten Dario Neira the previous day (9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9) concluded his itinerary with success in opposition to colleague Lucas dos Santos Carvalho (11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7).

Proceedings concluded in the individual events, attention now turns to the team competitions; play concludes on Thursday 23rd November.

2017 Copa Tango Para Open: Latest results and forthcoming matches

Paralympics Para Table Tennis 2017 Copa Tango