by Ian Marshall, Editor

Kim Kiyoung emerged successful in class 5 as his top seeded status suggested, in the final he beat colleague Kim Kyungyoung (11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8), the semi-final victor over Frenchman Nicolas Savant-Aira, the no.2 seed (13-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-8).

Success for Kim Kiyoung as anticipated, somewhat differently, the wins recorded by Park Sungjoo and Kim Junggil were mild surprises; both started play as the second seeds. Park Sungjoo secured the class 1 title at the final expense of Brazil’s Aloisio Lima Junior (11-6, 11-6, 11-7), a player very much in form. In the penultimate round, the Brazilian had accounted for Korea Republic’s Nam Kiwon, the top seed (9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9).

Similarly in class 4, Kim Junggil secured the top prize against a player who earlier in the day had excelled. He accounted for colleague, Lee Kyeonghun, the quarter-final winner in opposition to top seed and compatriot, Kim Younggun (11-8, 11-2, 8-11, 11-9); a player who one round later had almost disappeared from view; he was stretched to the very limit by Romania’s Petru Ifrosa (12-10, 8-11, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10).

Titles for the second seeds, not where the top seeded Frenchmen were concerned; in both instances it was runners up spot as status advised. At the final hurdle Fabien Lamirault beat colleague Stéphane Molliens to claim class 2 gold; in class 3 it was success for Florian Merrien at the expense of Brazil’s Welder Knaf (11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5).

Play in the individual events concluded, attention now turns to the team competitions; play concludes in Girona on Friday 22nd March.

2019 Para Costa Brava Open: Draws and Results