NSC/GTTA Independence TT tourney …
THE most resounding names that were heard at yesterday’s presentation ceremony for the National Sports Commission (NSC)-sponsored Guyana Table Tennis Association’s (GTTA) Independence tournament were none other than Chelsea Edghill and Nigel Bryan who tallied 5 and 4 titles respectively at this year’s event. Edghill, who is also the Caribbean Champion in the 13 years and under category not only claimed the title for that category but stepped out of her age group to take on older competitors who were still not good enough to deny her victory.
She also took the 15 years and under title and even went as far as to fill the impressive shoes of Trenace Lowe, who is her predecessor as champion in the 18 years and under category.
The illustrious Edghill also made a delible impression in the doubles contests as, in conjunction with Nigel Bryan, she was able to clinch the title win in the junior mixed doubles category. Her fifth win was enjoyed in conjunction with Natalie Cummings in the Women’s doubles category.
This year’s impeccable performance led to Edghill being adjudged the most outstanding female player of this year’s tournament while an equally impressive Nigel Bryan was awarded this honour in the male aspect.
Bryan fell one short of Edghill as his only sub-championship performance was in the Men’s doubles category where he won the runner-up position alongside Warren Hackshaw. He, however, shone through in the 18 years and under Boys’ category where he picked up his first title for this year’s championship after defeating Denzel Hopkinson.
Bryan’s crowning moment was when he surpassed former Men’s singles champion Joel Alleyne, who gave him trouble in last year’s feature, to claim the 21 years and under title.
He was victorious yet again during his paired campaign with Zane Humphrey in the Boys’ doubles category and he went on to cap off his tournament wins by combining with another powerhouse, Chelsea Edghill to claim the junior Mixed doubles category.
Navasha Clarkson was also a compound winner as she claimed two titles, one each in the 8 years and under Girls’ category and the 10 years and under Girls’ category. The 8 years and under Boys’ title went to Shane Singh while Jeremy Singh claimed the title in the 10 years and under Boys’ category.
Joseph Johnson was able to claim the 13 years and under Boys title with Sachin Panday assuming the esteem of champion in the 15 years and under Boys’ category.
Akeicia Nedd and Adeille Rosheuvel managed a title-winning performance in the Girls’ doubles category and Trenace Lowe and Edinho Lewis won in the senior Mixed doubles category. Hewley Griffith and Joel Alleyne won the Men’s doubles competition and Alleyne went on to claim his second title in the ‘B’ Class Open category.
Natalie Cummings, who was awarded the Most Improved Player award for the female competitors also won the Women’s singles title while Paul Meusa won in the Men’s aspect and Xen Goliah claimed the ‘C’ Class Open category.
In addition to the trophies presented by the GTTA, Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, in a surprise show of benevolence, doled out very lucrative cash prizes to the more outstanding performers in the tournament.