Table tennis - Youngsters show domination in June challenge |15 June 2016

Gael Dugasse, Brand Hoareau, Mael Youpa, Nicolas Esther and Kim Hoareau are the category winners of the June monthly challenge played on Sunday.

Forty players took part in the tournament played at the Omnisports Gym, Roche Caïman.

It was an exciting game in the boys’ best-of-five division 4 final as Gael Dugasse met an equal partner in Ryan Mondon. He took the first set 11-7 but Mondon’s game improved as he took control of the fiercely contested second and third sets, scoring for some exciting rallies to win 12-10 and 11-9 to lead 2-1.

Mondon then lost concentration allowing Dugasse to bounce back and easily take the fourth and fifth sets 11-6 and 11-8 to win the match 3-2 and claim the gold medal in the best of five series.

Adrian Lebon won the bronze after beating Shamir Rose in the playoff.

“The match was not easy. I put into practise what I have learned in training for me to win. It’s my second gold medal in this competition,” said a smiling Dugasse. 

In the boys’ division three, Brandon Hoareau won 3-0 (13-11, 11-6, 11-9) over Kurt Bristol.

“I trained a lot to win this competition. It’s my first gold medal. I am very happy,” said Hoareau.

The bronze medal went to Samuel Rose who overcame Kimani Lebon.

Mael Youpa won the boys’ division two final on a 3-1 (11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9) score over Dylan Simeon.

The two players displayed a good level of table tennis and in the end Youpa acknowledged that “it was not an easy game”.

“He (Simeon) is a tough opponent,” added Youpa.

Parrick Dang-Kow took the bronze medal at the expense of Divino Hoareau.

After winning the April and May challenges, Nicolas Esther did make it three in a row as he won this month’s competition in the boys’ division one.

Esther edged Mick Crea on a better set score difference after they both collected two wins and a loss in the league.

Byorn Mousbé finished in third position.

“The competition was not easy as everyone was fighting hard to win, but I was lucky to have a better set score,” said Esther.

In the female category, Kim Hoareau beat Lana Robert 4-2 (9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-2, 11-13, 11-3) in the division one league final. Third place went to Zahira Khattab.

Houreau was very happy with the win saying “I came down with a lot of determination to win and I did it. After coming out third in the last competition I told myself that I had to win this time. I’ve done it”.

All is set for the July challenge.

P. J.