by Ian Marshall, Editor

One day earlier, Panama’s Jacobo Vahnish had beaten Peru’s Carlos Fernandez in the final of the Boys’ Singles event (11-8, 5-11, 6-11, 11-5, 15-13); having reached the final both gained selection.

Similarly Brazil’s Giulia Takahashi and Mexico’s Arantxa Cossion Aceves had contested the Girls’ Singles final. Thus they were automatically selected; Giulia Takahashi emerging as the champion (11-6, 11-5, 11-6).

Therefore, two places were on offer to complete the four members of each of team; the quarter-finalists in each of the Boys’ Singles and Girls’ Singles events, the previous day were called to order but with one added proviso. A national association is only permitted one player in each team.

Two knock-out tournaments were staged; the national association with the greatest reason to celebrate was Puerto Rico, both Angel Naranjo and Brianna Burgos reserved their places.

Angel Naranjo won the first Boys’ Singles knock-out event; after accounting for Argentina’s Lautaro Sato (11-5, 11-4, 11-9), he beat Chile’s Jeremias Paredes (11-4, 13-15, 11-4, 12-10) to reserve his team place.

“I feel very happy to have achieved a place in the ITTF World Cadet Challenge. I have worked hard and I have been away from family and friends. I’m very happy now. My dad was also table tennis player and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I know he feels very proud of what I have achieved.” Angel Naranjo

Somewhat differently for Brianna Burgos, in the Girls’ Singles event, in the first knock-out tournament, she had reached the final, losing to Colombia’s Juliana Rodriguez (11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6), the narrow winner in the previous round against Chile’s Macarena Montecino (11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9).

A second chance for both Brianna Burgos and Macarena Montecino; the Puerto Rican seized the opportunity. She beat Macarena Montecino in a contest that was closer than the straight games score line may suggest; each game decided by the minimal two point margin (11-9, 12-10, 11-9).

“I am very satisfied to have classified for the ITTF World Cadet Challenge; all the effort has been worth it. I have had to sacrifice important things in my life like sharing with my family birthdays, weddings of my cousins but I feel very satisfied and thank the work of my coaches since. It looked very difficult to qualify but I made it.” Brianna Burgos

Places for Colombia and Puerto Rico; there was also success for the hosts; Alfredo Sanchez brought tears of joy to Costa Rican eyes.

In the second Boys’ Singles event, in dramatic fashion he beat Lautaro Sato in five games (11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5), before by the very narrowest of margins booking his team place courtesy of success against Chile’s Jeremias Paredes (11-3, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 16-14).

“I am so proud the dream came true, this is the reward for the effort, the hours training and having the necessary patience to improve and progress. Incredibly close games; thanks to God I had a little more patience, I was able tp concentrate and win.” Alfredo Sanchez.

Notably Puerto Rico is the one national association represented in both Latin American Boys’ Team and Girls’ Team.

Delighted Puerto Ricans (left to right) Ivan Santos (President), Gabriel René Santiago (Coach), Angel Naranjo, Brianna Burgos, Francisco Gonzalez (Coach) (Photo: Freddy Almendariz)

Full Results

2018 Latin American Team (ITTF Cadet Challenge Selection): Cadet Boys’ Singles – Results – Event No.1 (Sunday 12th August)

2018 Latin American Team (ITTF Cadet Challenge Selection): Cadet Boys’ Singles – Results – Event No.2 (Sunday 12th August)

2018 Latin American Team (ITTF Cadet Challenge Selection):  Cadet Girls’ Singles – Results – Event No.1 (Sunday 12th August)

2018 Latin American Team (ITTF Cadet Challenge Selection): Cadet Girls’ Singles – Results – Event No.2 (Sunday 12th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Full Results (Sunday 12th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Results (Wednesday 8th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Results – Detail (Wednesday 8th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Results (Wednesday 8th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Results – Detail (Wednesday 8th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Singles – Stage One – Results (Thursday 9th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Singles – Main Draw – Results (Saturday 11th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Singles – Stage One – Results (Thursday 9th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Singles – Main Draw – Results (Saturday 11th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Doubles – Results (Friday 10th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Doubles – Results (Friday 10th August)

2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Mixed Doubles – Results (Friday 10th August)