Bryan becomes youngest National Men’s Singles Champion

Dec 19, 2011 Sports

– Lowe on high after successfully defending female title

By Edison Jefford
Notwithstanding the absence of perhaps Guyana’s four foremost senior national players, which included defending champion, Godfrey Munroe; Nigel Bryan created history yesterday when he won the Senior Men’s Singles table tennis title at the National Gymnasium.

NET!!! Elishaba Johnson (left) fails to navigate Kyle Edghill’s serve, sending his return into the net to keep the U-15 Boys Final alive yesterday. Edghill prevailed 11-9 in the deciding set to win the title.

Bryan had no Munroe, Christopher Franklin, Paul David or Idi Lewis to contend with in the 2011 Powerade National Championships, but creamed Paul Meusa 11-9, 11-8 and 11-9 in straight sets to become Guyana’s youngest ever National Men’s Champion at 17 years old.
Bryan emphatically reached the final after his 12-10, 11-3 and 11-8 win against Joel Alleyne that set him on the path of history. Meusa’s run to the final was more arduous after his 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 3-11 and 11-8 sojourn against Edinho Lewis in the other semi-final.
Meanwhile, Trenace Lowe successfully defended the Women’s Singles title she won last year in an eager contest against Natalie Cummings. Lowe prevailed 11-4, 11-9, 10-12 and 11-9 after the squatty Cummings gave up the fight after taking the third set from Lowe.
Cummings defeated Chelsea Edghill 11-5, 11-6, 7-11 and 11-9 on her way to the final with Lowe beating Adielle Rosheuvel 11-6, 11-5 and 11-5 in the other semi-final. Jody-Ann Blake, who was among the notable players in the contest, did not get out of her group.
However, in what can easily be considered the match of the day, Elishaba Johnson squared off with long-time rival, Kyle Edghill in the U-15 Boys’ final for a classic contest among two of the best young players in the country.
Edghill was forced to dig deep and exploit all his advantages in the final after Johnson’s long and short back spin serves put him down 1-4 in the deciding fifth set. But after a few pulsating loops, and big serves from Edghill, the set was tied at 5-5; the players exchanged points until the scores were leveled 9-9 with Johnson serving. Edghill brought back both serves, which proved lethal for Johnson who sent one return into the net while another ricocheted off the table, gift-wrapping the title for Edghill, who won the match 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 7-11 and 11-9.
The title was due compensation for Edghill, who had lost the U-13 title 6-11, 9-11, 11-9 and 9-11 to newcomer, Shemar Britton earlier in the day. Britton had beaten Johnson in straight sets 11-6, 11-5 and 11-7 in the semis to advance to the final.

Defending Champion, Trenace Lowe (left) anticipates her return in the fourth set against Natalie Cummings in the Women’s Singles final yesterday at the National Gymnasium, on her way to a winning her second consecutive title.

Before coping the men’s singles title, Bryan had won the Boys U-18 title and the Boys U-21 title to proliferate a dominant performance at the event. Bryan defeated US-based Brad Belle 11-7, 11-7 and 11-9 in the U-18 contest and Denzel Hopkinson 11-5, 11-5 and 11-7 in the U-21 contest at the Gymnasium. Belle won the ‘B’ Class title after his brother, Brandon abandoned the match.
Meanwhile, Colin France won the Over-45 competition after beating Xenophon Goliah 11-3, 11-4, 11-13 and 11-3 in the veterans’ competition. Up to Kaieteur Sport press time, the Over-55 final was ongoing. The Presentation and Awards Ceremony is set for Friday at 7pm at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary.

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