Sixteen year-old Jonathan Van Lange had a memorable senior team debut at the 2022 Caribbean table tennis championships in Cuba yesterday winning a crucial match to see the Guyana men’s team off to a winning start as the team championships commenced yesterday in Havana, Cuba.
Playing in the pivotal number three spot, Van Lange whipped Brayon Azar in straight sets winning 11-4, 11-6, 11-9. The win gave the Guyanese a 2-1 win following Shemar Britton’s straight games victory 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, over Paul Mackentoche.
Christopher Franklin, playing in the opening match against Donika St Fleur, flattered to deceive, winning the first and fourth games at 12-10 but losing the other three games 7-11, 5-11 and 5-11.
Britton then restored order to the proceedings, exacting revenge on St Fleur with a 3-1 drubbing, winning 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, to give the men’s team its first victory at the championships.
The men’s team however, lost their second encounter against top seed Cuba 0-3 in the afternoon session. Jorge Campos defeated Franklin 11-6, 11-3, 11-7; Adrian Perez defeated Britton 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 and Livan Martinez defeated Miguel Wong 11-4, 11-9, 11-2.
Cuba men’s team also defeated Barbados 3-0 yesterday in their first match leaving today’s encounter between Guyana and Barbados to determine which team will advance along with Cuba to the semifinals.
In the women’s team competition, the Guyanese seeded number two in Group One, yesterday took on top seed Puerto Rico yesterday losing 0-3.
Chelsea Edghill lost to Fabiola Diaz 5-11, 11-13, 14-12 and 5-11, Natalie Cummings went under to Daniely Rios 5-11, 8-11, 2-11, and Priscilla Greaves lost to Kristal Melendez, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8. They will play Trinidad and Tobago women today where a win will see them advancing.
Eight men’s teams and six women’s teams are contesting the championships. The team events will continue today with the individual singles event set to commence tomorrow.
