(Trinidad Guardian) Former Caribbean under-15 champion Nigel Bryan captured the junior title in the recent Cecil James Open Table Tennis Tournament, at Maloney Sports Arena.
The 17-year-old seemed on his way back to his native Guyana when he trailed Arun Roopnarine 7-4 in the third game of their semifinal encounter after losing the first two 13-11, 11-4. But the 12-year-old could not close the deal and Bryan roared back to win the last seven points in the third and then the other two games 11-8, 11-5 from a despondent opponent.
Bryant then let a two games to love lead slip in the final before waking up in the nick of time to defeat Tobagonian Orell Cooper 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-13, 11-2. In the semifinal round, Cooper clawed his way back to edge Meshach Pillai 9-11, 4-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-9.
The junior event was an open draw featuring both males and females and 14-year-old Catherine Spicer was beaten 13-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-6 by Cooper in the quarterfinals.
Spicer secured the women’s title the following day by beating national champion Astra Edwards. Kenwin Small overcame Anson Wellington to capture the men’s crown.
The Scotia Bank Schools Table Tennis Tournament will serve off tomorrow at Jean Pierre Complex, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
