by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

After recording a three matches to nil win at the semi-final stage in opposition to the Brazilian combination of Livia Lima and Daniela Yano, they recorded the same margin of victory in the title deciding contest when facing the combination of Guatemala’s Lucia Cordero and Peru’s Kelly Santur.

Zauresh Akasheva gave her team the perfect start by beating Lucia Cordero in five games (11-8, 7-11, 11-2, 13-15, 11-2) before Goi Rui Xuan doubled to score by overcoming Kelly Santur in three straight games (11-9, 11-4, 11-3).

Matters concluded with Zauresh Akasheva and Goi Rui Xuan recording a five games double win (10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 11-2),

“I feel very happy, this is my first time winning a gold medal in an ITTF competition. My teammate was very positive and friendly. We needed a lot of team work to win the match. It’s a recognition that I have improved and it´s also a preparation for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games qualification tournament. Mentally I controlled my emotions. I guess I had to control myself, calm down and be focused point by point. You never know what can happen in a match.” Goi Rui Xuan

Earlier at the semi-final stage, Lucia Cordero and Kelly Santur had beaten the Chilean outfit comprising Claudia Infante and Valentina Rios by three matches to one. Mainstay of the victory was Lucia Codero. She beat Claudia Infante (5-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-3, 12-10) and Valentina Rios (16-18, 13-11, 11-8, 12-14, 11-4) whilst also teaming with Kelly Santur to win the doubles (11-9, 11-9, 11-2).

Defeat for Chile but in the Cadet Girls’ Team event it was success; at the final hurdle Mariam Ruiz and Natasha Ruiz beat Argentina’s Florencia Chirino and Elea Hernandez by three matches to one to claim the title.