Blake is back!

Jul 06, 2011 Sports

By Edison Jefford
Redemption is always rewarding, especially when one considers the process. Jody-Ann Blake is back! There was enough evidence during the Women’s Singles Final of the Independence Table Tennis Championships to suggest that Blake is on top of her game.
The 2003 Caribbean Junior Champion and National Junior Sportswoman of the Year, completely outplayed Natalie Cummings in the final to win her first major title since returning to the sport in less than four weeks after a long personal layoff and after giving birth.

Winners in the Independence and Veterans' Table Tennis Championships pose for a photo opportunity with GTTA and Ministry officials on Monday at the National Gymnasium.

Blake had defeated current table tennis phenom, Chelsea Edghill, in straight sets two weeks ago in the semis. She returned on Monday to demolish Cummings, who has been playing more tennis than Blake, 12-10, 11-9, 8-11 and 11-3 before a raucous crowd.
Cummings was a member of the Guyana senior national team last October at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India. Her recent exposure, fitness and form, made her the favourite to win but Blake spoiled the party with a phenomenal display of skill.
Blake drew Cummings into her game with lots of side and backspin, which proved too much for Cummings, who is a big hitter of the ball. The game looked poised to go down to the wire in the first set when Cummings countered Blake’s tactics with power.
However, Blake realised that she could not have allowed Cummings to move her around because of fitness concerns. She resorted to lots of spin, which forced the game to slow down into a more comfortable pace that allowed Blake to work her magic with the ball.
After the more competitive first set, Blake easily outdid Cummings in the second. Cummings got a set off Blake with a few well placed forehand hits that forced Blake to move. Blake quickly got back into her game plan in the fourth set and the result is now history.
Blake is looking to be among one of the leading women for the national team when Guyana host the Caribbean Championships in August. With her recent success, it could be said that she might well be the leading senior female player in the country at the moment.
In the Men’s Singles Final, Nigel ‘Poster Boy’ Bryan won after Paul Meusa forfeited in the third set. Bryan was leading two-zip when Meusa complained about severe pain in his legs. After a ten minute injury break, Meusa was unable to continue, handing Bryan the win.
Guyana’s most seasoned international players, Christopher Franklin and Idi Lewis did not play in the tournament. However, they were both present yesterday to witness the final. Bryan added his fourth title in tournament to his collection with the win.
Earlier Bryan had breezed pass Zane Humphrey 11-6, 11-8 and 15-13 in the Boys Under-18 final after winning the Under-21 title and the men’s doubles title. Bryan pocketed over $100,000 from his wins as big bucks continued to be dolled out as rewards in the sport.
Sunil Logan beat Stefan Corlette 9-11, 11-4, 11-3, 6-11 and 13-11 in the Under-15 Men’s title. It was one of the most keenly contested finals of the day. Xen Goliah defeated Marlon Washington 9-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-5 and 11-9 in the 45 Years Open Competition of the Guyana Police Force-sponsored Masters’ tournament on Monday.
The event ran concurrently with the Independence tournament. Patrick Triumph came out on top of the 50 Years Open competition with an 11-7, 11-6 and 11-8 win against Bruce Murray. He got as all the other winners, a hefty financial prize for his exploits in the contest.