Franklin, Edghill new national TT champs

Christopher Franklin last evening turned back the challenge of defending national men’s singles champion Nigel Bryan in straight games en route to winning his first national men’s singles table tennis championships at the National Gymnasium.

National champion Christopher Franklin plays a forehand push in his match against Orin Hickerson last evening at the National Gymnasium. (Orlando Charles photo)
National champion Christopher Franklin plays a forehand push in his match against Orin Hickerson last evening at the National Gymnasium. (Orlando Charles photo)
Chelsea Edghill, left and Christopher Franklin with the coveted trophies after the won the women and men’s singles titles at the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) national championships yesterday at the National Gymnasium. (Orlando Charles photo) See page 27
Chelsea Edghill, left and Christopher Franklin with the coveted trophies after the won the women and men’s singles titles at the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) national championships yesterday at the National Gymnasium. (Orlando Charles photo) See page 27

Franklin, the top seed, who had twice missed out on winning the coveted trophy made no mistake yesterday easily winning all three of his final four round robin matches.

In the first round robin encounter Franklin hardly worked up a sweat in disposing of the dangerous Edinho Lewis who though he played with lots of heart was no match for the seasoned Franklin.

Then it was Bryan’s turn but the defending men’s champion found it difficult to take even a game off of Franklin who at times appeared to be toying with his opponents.

Franklin duly won his final round match against Orin Hickerson to claim the crown.

Earlier, Lewis got past Shemar Britton in what was easily the match of the afternoon winning 4-3 to book his place in the last four.

In the other quarter final results, Franklin defeated veteran Colin France in straight games 3-0, Bryan outlasted Joel Alleyne 4-3 and Hickerson defeated Kyle Edghill 4-1.

In the women’s round robin final Edghill defeated Natalie Cummings, Jody Ann Blake and Salenas Jackman while Nicholas Romain defeated Tyreke Saunders to win the C Class competition.

See full details in a subsequent issue.