By: Royston Alkins
Stabroek Sports on Thursday caught-up with four more of the junior loopers who would be representing Guyana in the upcoming Caribbean Pre-Cadet, Cadet, and Junior table tennis championship slated for Guyana from April 13th – 19th, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. (Part one appeared in the Tuesday, March 28 edition) Here are their profiles:
Name: Aneka Phillips
Age: 16
Local titles won: Five (National Girls Under-15 – 2016)
Experience for Guyana: USA 2015, 2016, Guyana 2013, 2014
Categories competing in: Girls under 18 singles, doubles and mixed doubles
Style of play: Right-hand
Strengths: forehand and backhand
School: Ash Education Trust
Goals for the tournament: “I want to do better than I did last year in the Joola tournament.”
Name: Miguel Wong
Age: 16
Local titles won: Twelve
Experience: Dominican Republic 2011, 2015, 2016; Jamaica 2015; Trinidad and Tobago 2014; Guyana 2013; USA 2015, 2016
Categories competing in: Boys under 18 singles, doubles and mixed doubles
Style of play: Right-hand attacker
School: Mae’s Secondary
Goals for the tournament: “I want to play my best in this tournament to make my country proud and all my friends who have supported and encouraged me to this point. There is someone very close to me and unfortunately, she isn’t here to spectate but she will always be with me in my heart throughout this tournament and life.”
Name: Niran Bissu
Age: 13
Local titles won: Seven
Experience: Dominican Republic 2011, 2015, 2016; Jamaica in 2012; Guyana 2013; USA 2015, 2016
Categories competing in: Boys under 15 singles, doubles and mixed doubles
Style of play: Right-hand offense
School: St Roses High
Goals for the tournament: “To better my game and come out as champion.”
Name: Elishaba Johnson
Age: 18
Local titles won: Seventeen
Experience for Guyana: Trinidad & Tobago 2006; Santo Domingo 2007; Guyana 2008; Barbados 2009; Puerto Rico 2010; Dominican Republic 2015, 2016; French Guiana 2013
Categories competing in: Boys under 18 singles, doubles and mixed doubles
Style of play: Right-hand offense
School: Government Technical Institute
Goals for the tournament: “This is another great stepping stone in my journey to greatness. This tournament as many before will give me the opportunity to showcase my talent as a young enthusiastic athlete. Many challenges have been encountered in previous tournaments which made me more prepared for this one, playing at home will also help us to overcome the challenges which should help us to be successful at home.”
