Aryans’ Michael de Kock showed why he is ranked among the top players in the city as he claimed the Nelson Mandela Bay Table Tennis Open title in a tough tussle on Saturday.
De Kock, who faced a number of challenges on his road to the final, overcame a spirited Neil Hendricks 11-7 11-8 8-11 and 11-8.
In the final, he went up against Shahied Mamoojee, defeating him in straight sets.
De Kock chalked up scores of 11-7 11-5 and 11-6 to take the crown in an exciting fixture at Malabar Community Hall.
In the women’s singles, national champion Li Xiuyan’s talent was on display as she disposed of Eugene Stallenberg with some excellent strokemaking to notch up scores of 11-6 11-7 and 11-6 to reclaim the title.
The men’s double’s division saw some hard-fought clashes, but it was Neil Hendricks and Ridaa Hendricks who went up against De Kock and Mamoojee in the final.
Despite a spirited fight by the De Kock/Mamojee pairing, Neil and Ridaa managed to claim a 3-2 victory with scores of 9-11 7-11 12-10 11-9 and 1412 to claim the title.
Partners Li and Jing Jiang were made to sweat in the women’s doubles final after being pushed all the way by Stallenberg and Chevon Nysschens.
It was the former who came out tops with a 11-4 4-11 and 11-4 win.
The mixed doubles title went the way of experienced pairing of Selvan Sammy and Li who held their nerve to get past Nysschens and Thiagasen Pather, the final score reading 11-4 11-7 and 11-6
Adrian Afrika was crowned boys’ singles champion after an 11-7 14-12 victory over Yaseen Abrahams.
In the boys’ doubles, Edwaldo and Keanu Maytham claimed top honours, defeating Afrika and Darren Anthony 11-6 8-11 and 11-3.
In the girls’ section, Renisha Johnson was crowned champion after a 11-4 and 16-14 win over Natasha Alfreds.
The girls’ doubles title went to Alfreds and Sade Butler with the pair claiming a 6-11 11-7 and 11-4 win over Shandre Malgas and Carlin King.