Success for Brazil in Toronto, Female Trio Sets Shining Example
Courtesy of ITTF

Medals for Catia Oliveira, Danielle Rauen and Jennyfer Parinos; Brazil enjoyed success in the first events to be decided at the 2015 Para Pan American Games in Markham, Toronto on Saturday August 9th.

Catia Oliveira won gold in Women’s Singles Class 1-2; whilst in Women’s Singles Class 10, it was both gold and silver for the South American country; top step of the medal podium went to Danielle Rauen with the next step being occupied by Jennyfer Parinos.

Catia Oliveira
Both events organized on a group basis, Catia Oliveira overcame Argentina’s Maria Garonne (11-3, 11-3, 11-6), before accounting for Tara Proffit of the United States (7-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5) and Mexico’s Alma Padilla (11-9, 11-7, 11-7) to seal the title.

Alma Padilla finished in the silver medal position followed by Tara Proffit and Maria Garonne.

Danielle Rauen and Jennyfer Parinos 
Meanwhile, in Women’s Singles Class 10, the Brazilians clashed in the opening contest. Danielle Rauen overcame Jennyfer Parinos in three straight games (11-6, 12-10, 11-8).

Success in the opening contest, for Danielle Rauen; confident, she progressed to beat Chile’s Francisca Morales (11-8, 11-4, 11-4) and Argentina’s Analia Longhi (11-7, 11-2, 11-6).

Similarly, after her opening defeat, Jennyfer Parinos was not to be denied; she recorded straight games wins against both Analia Longhi (12-10, 11-6, 11-6) and Francisca Morales (11-6, 11-9, 11-7). Francisca Morales beat Analia Longhi by the very narrowest of margins to claim third place (11-8, 11-3, 9-11, 10-12, 15-13).

Teenager 
Notably Danielle Rauen is only 17 years old; she left home when she was 16 years of age to further her tennis career, moving to Piracicaba in São Paulo State where the Brazilian Standing National Team players are based under the direction of Paulo Camargo.

“I have waited so long for this moment, I feel everything I did was worth it”, reflected Danielle Rauen. “Now I will go and fight with all I have in Rio 2016; I miss my family very much during the process; their support is vital for me.”

Success for Danielle Rauen who earlier this year was in fine form in Bratislava; at the 2015 Slovakia Open, against strong European opposition, she was bronze in Women’s Singles Class 8-9.

A Medicine 
“Table tennis is like a medicine to me. I am exercising every day and if I don’t my disease gets worse”, added Danielle Rauen. “I know that in some point my body won’t handle it anymore but I will play for as long as I can; I hope it is for a long time.”

Good Start 
A brave and determined you lady, Danielle Rauen sets an example to other teenagers; a fact that Paulo Camargo acknowledged.

“We started here in Toronto on the right foot; this will encourage the others to reach as great results as this one, it gives confidence”, he said. “The standing team of Brazil is a family that is going well and this support makes the difference in the crucial moments; I know that this medal has a special taste for her.”

Debut 
A tremendous start for Brazil and for Danielle Rauen; she is on debut in the quadrennial multi-sport event.

Schedule and Results
2015 Para Pan American Games: Full Results & Final Group Positions
2015 Para Pan American Games: Table Tennis – Schedule & Results