Female ‘Goliath’ defeats David

It could have been dubbed ‘David versus Goliath 2’, if one took the height and size advantage into consideration. But in this case, it was a female ‘Goliath’ in the form of Caribbean Under-13 squash champion Victoria Arjoon who triumphed, defeating the burly David Fernandes in the final of the Open category of the Guyana Squash Racquets Association (GSRA)/ Bounty Farm Limited handicap tournament Saturday night. Both players played with a plus 12 handicap and  Arjoon rebounded from losing the first set 16-17, to take the other two sets 15-12, 15-13.

GOLIATH DOWNS DAVID!  Part of the action between eventual champion Victoria Arjoon (left) and David Fernandes (right) in the Open championship finals (An Aubrey Crawford photograph)
GOLIATH DOWNS DAVID! Part of the action between eventual champion Victoria Arjoon (left) and David Fernandes (right) in the Open championship finals (An Aubrey Crawford photograph)

Guyana’s squash queen Nicolette Fernandes, who played  with a minus 35 handicap,  lost to David Fernades (her cousin) in the semi final and to Caribbean Under-15 champion Mary Fung-A- Fat 12-15, 15-12, 15/-1 in the third place play-off.

Other results for the final night of the competition which saw Lucas Palazzotto and Ryan Whitehead being awarded the Most Improved Player and Sportsmanship Awards respectively were as follows:

Open Category Plate

Final – Allan Downes (+8) defeated Jerozeno Bell (-15) 15-4, 15-5

Third Place Play-Off – Oliver Kear Downes (-20) defeated Andrew Arjoon (+8) 15-12, 15-13

Category A

Final – Lydia Fraser (-10) defeated Nyron Joseph (-15) 15-11, 15-7

Third Place Play-Off – Ashley De Groot (-8) defeated Nase-d Benn (-8) 15-12, 15-11

Category A Plate

Final – Randy Hope (-15) defeated Daniel Persaud (+2) 15-3, 15-3                         Third Place Play-Off – Ryan Da Silva (-5) defeated Kristina Cheeks (+6) 15-11, 15-11