– men advance to semis, women lose at same hurdle
Guyana suffered mixed fortunes in the 2024 ITTF Caribbean Championship, as the women’s team went down to Cuba in the semi-final section while the men’s outfit advanced to the final four segments yesterday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Guyana defeated Barbados 3-1 in their quarterfinal fixture. Elishaba Johnson lost to Tyrese Knight 3-11, 6-11, and 1-11, as Guyana fell behind 0-1. However, Shemar Britton responded to level the contest in the second fixture, prevailing 11-5, 11-2, and 12-10.
Joel Alleyne then edged Tre Riley 11-13, 11-4, 11-5, and 11-7 to push Guyana ahead at 2-1. Britton then secured the win with an 11-8, 11-7, and 11-7 victory over Knight.
On the other hand, the women’s team lost to Cuba 0-3 in their semi-final encounter. In the first fixture, Natalie Cummings lost to Estela Crespo 10-12, 5-11, and 10-12. Chelsea Edghill went down to Rosalba Aguiar in a five-set thriller: 12-14, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9, and 8-11. The result was sealed as Thuria Thomas lost to Karla Perez Gonzales 3-11, 4-11, and 6-11.
Meanwhile, Guyana defeated Aruba in their final round-robin encounter of the men’s segment, which was played prior to the elimination round, 3-1. The contest did not start in the ideal manner for Guyana, as Alleyne lost to Ruddy Raga. 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, and 10-12
However, Britton levelled proceedings as he bested Shaofeng Xie 11-7, 11-5, and 11-2. Johnson then pushed Guyana ahead as he crushed Bryan Lopes 11-2, 11-9, and 11-5. Britton then sealed the deal from behind with an 11-6, 11-4, and 12-10 thrashing of Raga.
Similarly, the women’s team in their final group stage match defeated Barbados 3-0. Cummings crushed Riley Anthonette 11-8, 11-6, and 11-6 to hand Guyana the 1-0 advantage.
Edghill then thrashed Kenady King 11-4, 11-2, and 11-3 in the second fixture to double their lead, before Jasmine Billingy downed Qodesh Weekes 12-10, 11-8, and 11-8 to seal the outcome.