June 23, 2008
Colombia Junior Open: Chile and Peru Dominate Team Events
 Maria Soto (PER) Photo By: Leon Pupy |
Courtesy of ITTF Both emerged with two titles each; in addition to the Junior Boys' Team title, Chile captured the Junior Girls' Team crown while in the cadet events, Peru emulated their southern neighbors. They won both the Cadet Boys' Team and Cadet Girls' Team crowns. |
Earlier
Success in the Cadet Boys' Team event for Peru and earlier in the evening they had enjoyed success in the Cadet Girls' Team final beating northern neighbors Ecuador by three matches to nil in a repeat of the Cadet Girls' Team final staged the previous week at the Latin American Junior Championships.
However, it was a more spirited performance from the Ecuadorian team than in the continental competition but credit to Peru who underlined their status as a growing force in Latin America.
Gold Secured
In the contest to determine gold, Maria Soto beat Daniela Andrade in five games; in one game less Angela Mori overcame Astrid Salazar; while by the same margin matters came to a close with doubles success from the partnership of Angela Mori and Silvia Leon against the Ecuadorian combination.
Eva Brito
At the semi-final stage both teams had experienced tough examinations with three-two wins the order of the day.
Eva Brito excelled for the Dominican Republic against Peru beating both Maria Soto and Angela Mori but that was the sum total of Caribbean success; defeats for Katerin Montes de Oca and a doubles reverse saw victory finish in Peruvian hands.
Gremlis Arvelo
A fine performance from Eva Brito in the semis and also from Venezuela's Gremlis Arvelo; she beat both Daniela Andrade and Astrid Salazar in the contest against Ecuador. However, defeats for Anny Sevilla and a doubles reverse cost Venezuela dear and it was a place in the final for Ecuador.
Close semi-final results and for Chile to very hard fought matches in the latter stages to capture gold, both resulted in three-two score lines and once again it was Venezuela who suffered in the penultimate round.
Paula Avalos
Paula Avalos was the heroine on both occasions, winning when the score in the fixture was level at two matches all. Against Venezuela she beat Herlys Revilla to secure victory while against Colombia `A' in the final, she overcame Laura Molina.
At the semi-final stage she had remained unbeaten defeating Jennypher Orellana in the opening contest by the narrowest of margins before Blanca Duran overcame Herlys Revilla to put Chile into a two-nil lead. Venezuela responded with success in the doubles and a close five games win by Jennypher Orellana over Blanca Duran to level matters.
However, the recovery was halted by Paula Avalos.
A good start by Paula Avalos in the semis but in the final she lost her opening duel against Luisa Zuluaga in five close games; in an equally close contest Blanca Duran defeated Laura Molina to level matters before Chile once again took the lead with success in the doubles.
Luisa Zuluaga
Once again eyes turned towards Luisa Zuluaga and she responded, she overcame Blanca Duran in another five games encounter to bring the match score level at two-all.
The verdict duly rested on the shoulders of Laura Molina and Paula Avalos with the latter prevailing; she won in five games to secure gold for Chile.
Solace
Disappointment for Colombia but they could take solace in the fact that in the quarters they had beaten second seeds Paraguay to cause the upset of the event.
Luisa Zuluaga beat Lucero Jara, Laura Molina overcame Sandy Gavilan and success came in the doubles to bring matters to an end.
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