by Ian Marshall, Editor
Success for Nayla Kuell, who has very much eyes set next year on competing in the 2019 Para Pan American Games in Lima but it was hard earned success; in her opening contest she needed the full five games to beat colleague Veronica Blanco, emerging successful by the very narrowest of decisions in a tense decider (3-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 16-14).
A hard fought win to start the day, in her next engagement, live was less demanding; she accounted for Korea Republic’s Kim Geunhwa in three straight games (11-5, 11-9, 11-3).
“It was a short but intense competition for me. I am coming back from an injury, so it was important for me to test myself, to see how I was doing; those were my goals and I’m satisfied with how I performed. I wanted to forget about that injury. I’m already thinking of Lima 2019, so this is already a good result for that; it’s like a positive start. I’m hoping to make it there and do my best.” Nayla Kuell
Veronica Blanco in her second full distance contest of the day, overcame Kim Geunhwa (8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9) to secure second position in the group.
Success for Nayla Kuell and progress; in the three most recent editions of the Copa Tango she has been a bronze medallist.
Testing times for Nayla Kuell, it was very much the same for Hana Resti; she remained unbeaten throughout, the crucial contest being the close five games win against Canada’s Stephanie Chan, the highest rated player in the group. Hana Resti lost the opening two games, won a titanic third, saving match points, before emerging successful by the very narrowest of decisions (10-12, 9-11, 20-18, 12-10, 14-12)
“I was nervous, it was a tense game. She is higher ranked than me, number 10, I am number 16 but she is from a different class; she is Class 7 and I’m Class 9. I was ready for a difficult match. I always trusted myself that I could do it and my coach gave me confidence as well. He kept telling me to believe at many moments of the match.” Hana Resti
Defeat for Stephanie Chan but it was her only reverse; she duly secured second place in the group.
Notably, it is a second major success for Hana Resti; at the 2017 Asian Youth Para Games won gold in Women’s Singles Class 8-9.
2018 Copa Tango Para Open: Latest Results and Main Event Draws