by Paloma Mutti, Latin America Press Officer

In tournaments organised on an all-play-all basis, starting promptly at 9.30 am on the last day of play, Santiago Ibarra and Karina Shiray won the respective Boys’ Singles and Girls’ Singles titles, the runners up were Augusto Andrade and Fiorella Olaya.

Third place in the Boys’ Singles event was secured by Argentina’s Joaquin Ratti with Chile’s Gabriel Flores and the host nation’s Esteban Florentin being the next in line. In the Girls’ Singles event, third place finished in the hands of Chile’s Martina Montecino, fourth position was reserved by Paraguay’s Giuliana Escobar.

“I hope I have left a philosophy for both players and coaches. We had a very productive week, we had many discussions and I hope everyone left with more knowledge. I think everything worked out well. Everyone was tired on the final day; that means we did things well.” Lincon Yasuda

Importantly, both coaches and players responded to the efforts of Lincon Yasuda, who himself had clearly enjoyed the experience.

“In a competition one does not know what can happen with boys and girls of this age but one thing I can say is that the energy and the fight that they gave was very good.” Lincon Yasuda

Now Lincon Yasuda looks forward to next year.

“I hope to see more countries next year because we have few opportunities to expand knowledge, methodologies and training; this is very enriching for new players and coaches. In South America we must take full advantage of every opportunity.” Lincon Yasuda

Matters came to a convivial conclusion with the presentation of certificates and medals; the presentations were made by Eng. Benjamin Real, President of the Paraguay Table Tennis Federation and the South American Table Tennis Confederation alongside Lincon Yasuda.