Van Lange highlights day 1 with wins in doubles and mixed doubles’ categories
The action in the National Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships kicked off with a bang, and Jonathan Van Lange highlighted the day’s play by copping the titles in the doubles and mixed doubles categories (alongside Jasmine Billingy).
In the Novices boys’ tournament, Emmanuel Jeffery emerged champion as he was able to defeat Gavin Narine 3-2 in the final encounter. The duo battled neck-and-neck, but in the end only one player could come out on top.
Jonthan Van Lange won the mixed doubles with Jasmine Billingy and the boys doubles with Niran Bissu
Jeffery bagged the first round, but gave it away in the next round, as Narine showed fight, but in the end Jeffery found composure and reclaimed the final two rounds. The scores read 3-2 11-5, -10, 4, 9). While in the Novices girls’ tourney, Samirah Burrowes was the winner, having decimated Tricelle Carke. Unlike the boys, Burrowes stood her ground despite losing the second round, the scores read 3-2 (5, -6, 5, 6).
Novice winner Emmanuel Jeffery
In the mixed 19 doubles’ draw, many competitors sought to steal the crown, but it was Jonathan Van Lange and Jasmine Billingy who emerged victorious. They were able to fend off Niran Bissu and Thuria Thomas 3-1. Their opponents had no answer for the Van Lange/Billingy combo, who played with grace and elegance. Thus, in the end, the scores (3-1, 7-5, 6-2) reflected why they deserved the title.
Novice girls winner Samirah Burrowes
It wasn’t over for Van Lange, as he then stormed to the doubles crown as well as he and Niran Bissu fended off Colin Wong and Krystian Sahadeo, winning 3-1. While Wong and Sahadeo won the first round 11-9, Van Lange and Bissu dug deep to broadside their opponents and claim the other rounds 11-8, 12-10, 11-7 to close out day 1 of the action.
