Team Events Decided in Aguada, Gold for Argentina, Brazil and Puerto Rico
2015 Latin American Junior and Cadet Championships
Courtesy of ITTF
Argentina, Brazil and Puerto Rico shared the honors as matters came to a conclusion in the team events at the 2015 Latin American Junior and Cadet Championships in Aguado on the morning of Thursday June 25th.
Brazil emerged as the most successful, securing gold in the Junior Girls’ Team and Cadet Boys’ Team events. Argentina and the hosts Puerto Rico each claimed one title; Argentina emerged as the Junior Boys’ Team winners with Puerto Rico being anointed Cadet Girls’ Team champions.
Traditional Rivals
Traditional rivals Argentina and Brazil met in both the Junior Boys’ Team and Cadet Boys’ Team finals; the former event saw a decisive victory for the Argentine trio of Fermin Tenti, Horacio Cifuentes and Francisco Sanchi, the latter a hard fought success for the Brazilian outfit formed by João Gabriel Santos Guilherme Teodoro and Eduardo Tomoike.
A most impressive three-nil victory margin was outcome in the Junior Boys’ Team event in favor of Argentina. Fermin Tenti gave his outfit the perfect start by beating Gustavo Yokota (11-4, 12-10, 11-9), before Horacio Cifuentes doubled the advantage by overcoming Isaac Zauli. He won by the very narrowest of five game margins (11-8, 1-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9).
It was to be the contest which swayed matters inexorably in favor of Argentina; the pressure valve was somewhat released; Francisco Sanchi overcame Vitor Santos (12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 17-15) to bring matters to a conclusion.
Two Wins in Vain
Impressive performances from Fermin Tenti, Horacio Cifuentes and Francisco Sanchi; in the Cadet Boys’ Team final it was an impressive performance from colleague Martin Bentancor but it was to be in a losing cause.
He emerged successful in two tense five game duels, overcoming João Gabriel Santos (11-3, 7-11, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10) and Guilherme Teodoro (7-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7) but those were to be the only Argentine successes.
Emmanuel Lara was beaten by Guilherme Teodoro in the second match of the fixture in a full distance duel (9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6), before in the vital fifth and deciding contest, experiencing defeat at the hands of João Gabriel Santos (11-9, 11-9, 11-9). The one further success for Brazil came from Eduardo Tomoike, in the third match of the fixture, he accounted for Alexis Orencel (11-2, 11-6, 11-6).
Bruna Takashi Unbeaten
Success in the Cadet Boys’ Team event for Brazil, it was also success in the Junior Girls’ Team competition; a three-one win was recorded against Puerto Rico.
Backbone of the Brazilian success was Bruna Takahashi. She beat Gabriela Diaz (11-5, 11-4, 11-9) before overcoming Adriana Diaz (11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 11-7) to pave they to victory.
The one further Brazilian success came from Alexia Nakashima. In the third match of the fixture she accounted for Lineris Rivera (11-9, 11-6, 11-6). The one win for Puerto Rico was recorded in the very first match, Adriana Diaz beat Leticia Nakada is a closely contested five games duel (10-12, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8).
More Emphatic
Defeat for Puerto Rico but in the Cadet Girls’ Team final it was success and emphatic success.
In the first stage of proceedings, Puerto Rico had beaten Mexico by three matches to two; another close contest was envisaged when they met again in the final.
The host nation trio of Nicole Malave, Paola Sanabria and Fabiola Diaz had different ideas; a three-nil result was the order of the day. Nicole Malave beat Abril Castaneda (11-8, 15-13, 11-7), Paola Sanabria accounted for Jessica Cuellar (10-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9), before Fabiola Diaz concluded proceedings by overcoming Melissa Rivera11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9.
Family Affair
Success for Fabiola Diaz meant it was three medals for her family; she is the youngest of four sisters who all represent Puerto Rico.
Gabriela and Adriana both gained silver in the Junior Girls’ Team event while Melanie had to sit and watch; she is now 19 years old.
Main Draw
Junior Boys Teams
Junior Girls Teams
Cadet Boys Teams
Cadet Girls Teams
Visit 2015 Latin American Junior & Cadet Championships on ITTF.com for full results.
Brian Afanador (PUR)
View more photos on ITTF World Flickr.
