NZ Para Champs 2012/13
Memorial Hall, Tauranga was the venue for the 2012/13 TTNZ Para table tennis championships, held February 8th to 10th. These annual championships are run alternately by Paralympics NZ and Table Tennis NZ.
Click for Sun Media Event coverage
While entries were affected by several late withdrawals the event was a big success and a lot of fun was had by the participants and their supporters.
A feature of the event was the presence of a trio of Australians. Barbara Talbot is the Oceania representative on the ITTF Para Table Tennis Committee and offered a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to all. She was accompanied by Rosalie Turnbull from Melbourne and Mark Harris from Sydney.
After much good-natured trans-tasman rivalry Mark took pride of place in winning gold in seated singles and open doubles, He and partner Brian McLean, from North Harbour, also took out bronze in the teams contest.
Newcomer, Regan Williams from Te Puke (Bay of Plenty) caused a major upset in winning the standing singles title from Victor Kamizona, after a monumental comeback against Ayush Bhatnagar (Auckland) in his earlier match. Regan and Ayush took out the teams event on the opening day.
Mark and Ayush provided the small crowd with the most exciting contest of the weekend, when they clashed in the teams event. Mark took the match out 12-10 in the fifth set.
The other newcomer to the event was young Cindy Eichler from Tauranga, who appeared to benefit greatly from the competition. One of the highlights of the weekend was a seated doubles contest conducted by Barbara Talbot. Cindy partnered local juniors Nicole Duncan, Brooklyn Lea and Xavier Lea in a fun-filled session that provided a valuable training template for future events.
Experienced Otago veteran, John Marrable, challenged all of his opponents with his crafty play, taking out a silver medal in all three events!
Young Shakti Krishan from Hamilton took home two silvers, with reigning champion Victor Kamizona of Tauranga being restricted to a silver in the singles.
Surprisingly James Goulding of North Harbour took home only a singles bronze, after holding a two set lead over Mark Harris in the semi-final.
The event required a number of willing helpers, and was well served with the efforts of people like Ron Sheridan, John Tuki and local juniors, Nicole, Xavier, Brooklyn and Isaac in picking up balls, umpiring and acting as practice partners.
The tournaments officials, John Lea, John Tuki (TTNZ Para Coach), Barbara Talbot and classifier, Henry Redmond joined most of the players for a memorable night out at Lonestar, showing that what happens off the table is a big part of an event like this.
TTNZ is grateful for the support from Specsavers and Tauranga Leisure in making the event possible, and for the promotional support of Sun Media.
Roll of Honour
Teams:
1st Regan Williams (BOP) & Ayush Bhatnagar (Akl)
2nd John Marrable (Ot) & Shakti Krishnan (Wk)
3rd Mark Harris (Aust) & Brian McLean (NH)
Standing Singles:
1st Regan Williams (BOP)
2nd Victor Kamizona (BOP)
Seated Singles:
1st Mark Harris (Aust)
2nd John Marrable (Ot)
3rd James Goulding (NH)
Open Doubles:
1st Brian McLean (NH) & Mark Harris (Aust)
2nd John Marrable (Ot) & Shakti Krishnan (Wk)
3rd Ayush Bhatnagar (Akl) & Victor Kamizona (BOP)