Niron Bissu for second weekend running defeated Jonathon Van Lange in a boys’ under-15 final, this time it was at the Malta Supreme Table Tennis Tournament which concluded at the Queen’s College Auditorium on Sunday.
Part of the intense action between Jonathon Van Lange (right) and Niron Bissu
Their last bout at the national championships went 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-13 and 11-8.Once again there was not a difference in the proceedings as Bissu took an early lead by winning the first set 11-4 comfortably.
Van Lange with family members present and loud encouragement and advice from senior national star Shemar Britton, waged what looked to be an impressive comeback. Van Lange began pressuring Bissu’s forearm and was quick to pounce and any looping balls presented.
The duo waded racquets relentlessly reaching deuce in their second set. Fitness and concentration made the difference on the final hurdle as Bissu kept his shaped and finessed his way to consecutive 15-13 sets to win the match.
Earlier, joy came for Van Lange after being pushed by the diminutive Dhanesh Persaud in the under-13 final; he overcame those challenges to win 11-13, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4 and 11-8. Under-13 girls went to Thuria Thomas who defeated the improving Nkechi McRae 9-11, 11-3, 11-9 and 11-7.
National player Nevaeh Clarkson making a return to competitive action got the better of McRae 11-4, 15-13 and 15-13 in the girls’ under-15 final.
The under-11 spoils were shared by Collin Wong who defeated Persaud 11-7 and 12-10 while Jasmin Billingy won the girls’ 11-3 and 11-6 over Samara Sukhai. Billingy and Malachi Moore had won the under-9 titles on Saturday.
The well-organised competition which came under the auspices of the Titans Table Tennis Club will have the under doubles and mixed doubles on Saturday which will be the precursor for the two-day Scotiabank tournament which caters for u-15, u-18, u-21 and B-class open.
