Dwain Dick is the new men’s singles champion of the annual Mashramani table tennis tournament sponsored by the National Sports Commission/ Guyana Table Tennis Associa- tion.
Flaunting a two-winged attack, Dick won the title on the tiebreak after ending in a two-way tie with former national player Colin France in the four-person round robin finals on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Dick and France each ended with two wins and one loss but Dick took the top spot by virtue of his victory over France. France placed second while Joel Alleyne with one win and two losses edged out Paul Meusa (1-2) also on a tie-break.
On Sunday the Trenace Lowe/Michelle John saga took another twist with Lowe defeating John to capture the 18 years & under girls’ title.
Lowe won 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 4 -11, 11-9. Third place went to Ambrose Thomas.
It was John’s turn to defeat Lowe when the two met again in the 21 years and under Open category. John, with two wins and one loss captured the title. She defeated Joel Alleyne 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 (3-0), Lowe at 11-7, 5-11, 11-2, 16-14 but lost to Tristan Gaime 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 3-11. Lowe placed second with two wins and one loss with Gaime, third and Alleyne fourth in the four player round robin final.
There was a three-way tiebreaker between John, Lowe and Gaime.
Gaime was a clear cut winner in the “C” class Open with three wins and no loss.
He was followed in second position by Lowe with two wins and one loss, John with one win and two losses and Joel Alleyne with no win and three losses. France ruled the roost in the masters’ categories where he won the 35 years and over, the 40 years and over, the 45 years and over and the 50 years and over competitions. France defeated Michael Vieira in the 35 years and over final 3-2. Third place went to Marlon Washington of Linden Town who defeated Bruce Murray 3-1.
France then defeated Washington in the 40 years and over final 3-0 with Murray third.
In the 45 years and over round robin finals, France came out on top with three wins and no defeat with Vieira, second, Murray third and 81-year-old Joe Clarke fourth.
France also took the 50 years and over crown from Morton Blake with Murray third and Vieira fourth.
Vieira took the 55 years and over crown. He defeated Clarke 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 in the final. The tournament will continue tomorrow with the senior doubles starting from 16:00 h. The closing ceremony and the presentation of trophies will take place on Friday at the same venue.
