Thirteen-year-old Johnathan Van Lange confirmed that he is indeed a level or two above the rest of the field after he retained his boys’ under – 15 and 18 titles at this year’s Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) junior national table tennis championships which concluded last evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).
Meanwhile, spoils in the female category were shared by Thuraia Thomas who retained her under – 15 crown, however, she was defeated by Crystal Melville in the under – 18 final.
The boys under– 15 final was contested between arch-rivals Van Lange and Kaysan Ninvalle in a repeat of last year’s showdown.
It was Ninvalle who took an early 6-4 lead before Van Lange got into his own and clawed his way back to tie the match at 7, 8, and 9 before he drew first blood by taking the first set 11-9.
The duo continued to go against each other but Van Lange prevailed by taking the next two sets and the match 11-8, 11-8. Van Lange defeated Colin Wong 3-0 in the semis while Ninvalle accounted for Krystian Sahadeo 3-1.
Van Lange in the under – 18 final continued to display his perpetual best and captured that crown by once again downing Ninvalle 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, to reclaim his crown.
The double champ defeated Jamal Nicholas 3-1 in the semis while Ninvalle had the better of Niran Bissu 3-0.
Thomas, who is the defending champion in the girls’ under – 15 category, fended off a strong showing from the swiftly rising Melville who took the first two sets set 11-8, 12-10 to bring herself within the touching distance of dethroning the defending champ.
Thomas, nonetheless, composed herself and returned to her usual attacking posture to clinch the next three sets and the match 12-10, 11-8, and 12-10 to reclaim her crown.
The duo met up in the girls’ under – 18 final but it was Melville this time who had the joy of tasting championship glory, winning her maiden title 9-11, 11-8, 2-11, 11-6, 11-7, throwing both arms in the air to express a sigh of relief at the end of the match.
Melville defeated Jasmine Billingy 3-0 in the semis while Thomas got past Nkechi McRae 3-1.
