Sydney Christophe and Michelle John turned in outstanding performances in the New York Table Tennis Federation event held recently at the club’s headquarters in Manhattan, NYC.
Christophe a former Caribbean and National champion bested the opposition to take the U-2350 title from Maryland’s Reza Ghiasi 8-11,11-9,7-11,12-10,11-3.
Christophe also reached the semi-final of the Open category where he lost to another former Caribbean champion Puerto Rican David Fernandes. Fernandes went on to win the title toppling number one seed and tournament favourite China’s Jennifer Wu. John continued her impressive form from her recent run in the Senior Caribbean championships in French Guiana to take the U-2050 title against the highly touted Guyanese Brad Belle 11-9, 11-7, 11-9.
Brad and his twin brother Brandon, are Guyanese by birth, but began playing serious table tennis only after migrating to the US about three years ago.
The twins have been featured on the “Today” show and in the New York Times where they were compared to the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena.
Another Guyanese player Trenace Lowe playing in her first tournament since migrating to the USA a few weeks ago lost at the semi-final stage to Belle 3-2 after leading 2-0.
