Competing in the qualification tournament in Cuba on Wednesday, both the male and female national table tennis teams produced the fireworks to seal their spot at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Colombia scheduled for July 19 – August 3.
The men’s team comprising of Shemar Britton, Christopher Franklin, Joel Alleyne and Nigel Bryan were ranked fifth heading into the tournament and defeated both St Vincent and Haiti 3-0 but lost to Panama 1-3.
The results were good enough for them to reach the quarterfinals, a position which they were in before in 2010 when the actual Games were held in Puerto Rico.
Furthermore, there was an upset; in the Women’s team event as Guatemala, the top seeds, experienced defeat. In a tension packed contest they were beaten by
Qualified! National Men’s team: (L-R) Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne, Christopher Franklin and Shemar Britton
Guyana. Star of the show was Trenace Lowe; in the second match of the fixture she beat Andrea Montufar (11-5, 11-5, 11-4), before in the concluding contest, with matters level at two matches apiece, keeping her nerve to overcome Mabelyn Enriquez by the very narrowest of margins (14-12, 11-6, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9).
The one further win for Guyana was secured in the opening match of the fixture when Natalie Cummings accounted for Andrea Estrada (8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9). The wins for Guatemala were recorded in the doubles, the third match of the engagement, when Mabelyn Enriquez and Andrea Estrada accounted for Jodyann Blake and Natalie Cummings, prior to Andrea Montufar levelling matters in the fourth match of the contest by overcoming Jodyann Blake (11-7, 11-6, 11-9).
The top eight outfits in each of the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events join the four national associations who receive direct entries.
Cuba and Puerto Rico receive direct entries to the Central American and Caribbean Games in both the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events; it is the same for Colombia, as the hosts.
Additionally, for the men, Mexico are direct entrants; for the women, the Dominican Republic are already on the Barranquilla entry list.
The qualifiers conclude on Sunday after which Britton and Alleyne stay in Havana for the Latin America Championships from March 4-9.
