Staged in the Argentine capital city of Buenos Aires, the three day Copa Tango Para Open, a factor 20 event for World ranking purposes, commences on Friday 8th July.
It is no less than the 19th edition of the celebrated tournament, first held in August 2001; for one person in particular it has lasting memories.
The person in question is Brazil’s Edimilson Pinheiro, the ITTF Competition Manager on duty for this year’s event. In the inaugural tournament he won men’s singles class 9, as well as the men’s singles open class.
Moreover, Edimilson Pinheiro is not the only gold medallist from 2001 on duty this year.
The name of the host nation’s Gabriel Copola appears on the entry list. In the ground-breaking tournament, he was the silver medallist in men’s singles class 3, gold being secured by colleague Vitaliano Brandoli.
Later they joined forces to win men’s team class 3.
Success for Gabriel Copola, now over two decades ago; also, it was also success last year. The winner of men’s singles class 3, he is one of eight players aiming to repeat the success gained in November 2021.
Compatriots Elias Romero (class 5) and Dario Neva (class 10) both appear on the men’s entry list, as do those of Chile’s Maximiliano Rodriguez (class4) and Matias Pino (class 6).
Also, from across the border, Brazil’s Lucas Carvalho (class 9) is once again on duty.
Meanwhile, also from Brazil, Thais Severo (class 3) and Sophia Kelmer (class 8) both compete; last November, Thais Severo won class 1-5, Sophia Kelmer class 6-10.
Furthermore, there are two worthy names listed who have enjoyed success in Latin America.
At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Great Britain’s Rob Davies secured men’s singles class 1 gold; on home soil Bruna Alexandre was a bronze medallist in class 10. Later she went one step better, claiming silver last year in Tokyo.
A total of 82 men and 20 women compete in Buenos Aires, representing nine nations.
