Top Under-13 girls’ player Chelsea Edghill copped a gold medal and Jamaal Duff a silver as the curtain came down on the fifth Caribbean Pre-cadet (under-10 and under-13) table tennis championships in Utuado, Puerto Rico yesterday.

Edghill came close to being eliminated in the group play-offs where she was involved in a three-way tie before advancing but that was the only blip on her radar.
She defeated the Santo Domingo number one player early yesterday morning in the quarter final before defeating Yastirs Ortiz of Dominican Republic 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 in the semi-final.

In the final Edghill defeated Carla Brito, daughter of Roberto Brito, former Caribbean champion, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7, and 11-6.

Duff, who had earlier won his quarter final match yesterday morning,  took out Puerto Rico’s George Perez 11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4 in the semi-final.

In the final against Brian Afanado, a World Hopes cadet player Duff lost 9-11, 9-11, 9-11, and 8-11.

The World Hopes team is a global initiative that provides an environment and opportunity for cadet players 12 years and under.

The ITTF/Butterfly Solidarity Project pumps approximately US$50,000 into the development of the 12-year-old talents around the globe over a three year project and Afanado is a beneficiary of that project which has seen him play tournaments in Europe and the USA including the US Open.
General Secretary of the Guyana Table Tennis Association Godfrey Munroe was yesterday elated with the performance of Edghill and Duff.

“I think in the context of the tournament the performances were exceptional.

“The two players represent two exceptional young talents that surely need to be nurtured in the correct environment.

“They are competing against players who benefit from expert coaching playing in competitions around the world, and as such one must applaud the magnitude of their feats,” said Munroe.