Southpaw Shemar Britton was his usual brilliant self but a new star was born in the Under- 13 category when Brandon Jaikarran upset his more favoured opponents to win the category as the curtain came down on the inaugural Play to Conquer table tennis tournament recently at the National Gymnasium.
Playing in the U-13 category Jaikarran toppled top seed Tyriq Saunders 11-3, 11-9, 11-7 in the final to win the division with rising star Kaysan Ninvalle third.
Ninvalle, though, was to produce the upset of the tournament when he defeated the much heralded Miguel Wong in the quarter-finals of the boys’ 18-years and under division. Also reaching the semi-finals of that category was another rising star in Jamaal Nicholas who defeated Vincente Henry.
Britton, though prevailed in the final over Elishaba Johnson with Nicholas getting the better of NInvalle in the third place battle.
Earlier, Isaiah Rampersaud played unbeaten in the Novices category for boys, winning all five of his round robin matches with Joshua Eastman winning four for second place and Gary Moonsammy ending third with three wins.
In the Novices category for females, Scolon Roberts edged Sarah Sanmoogan 7-11, 11-9, 2-11, 11-4, 17-15 in the final with Janay
Johnson defeating Kavia Liverpool for third place. 12-10, 11-9, 11-6.
In the boys Under 9 Open category, a precocious talent by the name of Colin Wong captured the division from Dhanash Persaud and Sharana Roberts who were second and third respectively.
Wong defeated Persaud 11-6, 11-2, 11-9 in the final.
Ninvalle continued to rule the roost in the U11 Open category defeating arch rival Isaiah Layne in the final 11-2, 11-5, 11-5. Colin
Wong was third.
Thuraia Thomas defeated Janay Johnson 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 to win the girls 11 years and under category. Sharana Roberts placed third.
Selenas Jackman defeated Abigail Martin 11-4, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5 to win the girls 13 years and under title. Nevaeh Clarkston, who placed third, rebounded to capture the 15 years and under division defeating Martin 11-5, 11-3, 7-11, 13-11. Jackman was third.
Miguel Wong edged Nicholas Romain 12-14, 11-9, 11-4, 9-11 and 11-9 to win the boys’ 15 years and under category.
Britton captured his second title of the championships defeating Elishaba Johnson 11-2, 11-9, 11-8 in the final of the 21 years and under division while Stefan Corlette defeated Johnson 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7 to win the Open B class category.
President and coach of the Titans Table Tennis Club, Dwain Dick, said that the tournament was indeed a success adding that the club plans to stage its anniversary tournament sometime next month.
