Gibran Hussain on Sunday defeated Rono Joseph 3-0 to win the men’s singles category of the second annual Souvenir Ramdehol-sponsored Berbice Open table tennis championships at the Port Mourant Training School, Corentyne.
In what was a repeat of last year’s final Hussain defeated southpaw Joseph 11-4, 11-9, 11-8 to win
the Souvenir Ramdehol trophy and cash incentive.
In the semi-finals Hussain edged Stephan Sankar by three games to two winning 11-3, 9-11,11-6,7-11 and 11-7 while Joseph defeated national junior player Joshua Lallbachan 3-0 winning 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.
In the quarter finals Hussain defeated Kristaff Sookhoo 3-1; Joseph beat Marlon Daniels 3-1; Sankar edged Richard Bacchus 3-2 and Lallbachan stopped fellow national junior player Bryton Murray 3-0.
In the 18 years and under category Sookhoo upset Lallbachan 3-2 in the final winning 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9.
In the semi-finals Sookhoo had earlier defeated Murray 3-0 while Lallbachan had edged Sankar 3-2.
In the 15 years and under division Sankar defeated Sookhoo 3-1 in the final winning 11-8, 6-11, 11-6, and 11-9.
In the semifinals Sankar defeated Joshua Butts 3-0 while Sookhoo squeezed past Nicholas Lawrence 3-2.
Jadon Conway defeated Butts 3-1 to win the U13 category. Conway won 11-5, 10-12, 11-7 and 11-4.
The boys U11 category saw Andrews defeating Rawlin Mangra (3-0) 11-2, 11-6, 11-6 in the final while former national woman’s singles champion Desiree Lancaster played unbeaten in the four person round robin female event. Former Caribbean junior doubles champion Petal Bennett-Denny was second with Joylyn Conway and Angeli Persaud being adjudged joint third placed winners.
Ramdehol, a 2009 Hall of Fame Realtor in the USA, at the presentation ceremony congratulated the winners stating that he was pleased to be able to give back to the sport.
Ramdehol added that he was satisfied with the standard of play adding that he did notice some improvements from last year.
He praised the Guyana Table Tennis Association which was represented by General Secretary Linden Johnson and the steering committee of the Berbice Sub Association, headed by Floyd Conway for a “job well done,” adding that it was his hope that something be done about the tremendous talent that was on display.
Ramdehol, or “Souvi’ as he is affectionately called, expressed thanks to two former Berbice players Lanny Anthony and Patrick Narayan for their support in making the second annual tournament a success and said he plans to make next year’s tournament even bigger and better.
The top three players in each category received trophies and cash incentives while the winners were presented with medals.
The most outstanding player was Sankar, the most improved Angeli Persaud; the most promising player, Joshua Butts and the most disciplined player Sukhoo.
Nine-year-old John Andrews was the youngest competitor.
Ramdehol also took the opportunity to present table tennis gear including racquets, balls, rubbers and clothing apparel to a number of the players.
Meanwhile Ramdehol is planning a coaching session on Thursday to be conducted by Caribbean men’s singles bronze medallists Idi Lewis and Paul David at the same venue.
David was expected in the country yesterday while Lewis is due today from the USA where he participated in an international coaching course.
