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Caribbean Table Tennis star Navaeh Clarkston is an emerging force in the sport
Already holding the unique distinction of being the only Guyanese to win three gold medals at the Pre-Cadet Caribbean Table Tennis Championships which was held right here in Guyana, ten year-old North Georgetown Secondary School student Navaeh Clarkston is definitely an emerging star in the sport.
The young table tennis star poses with some of her hardware yesterday
Clarkston, whose involvement in the sport started in 2010 under the tutelage of former national champion Colin France has collected a number of accolades since, both in her age group and beyond and has been rightly touted as one of the best prospects in the sport right now so much so that she has become a prime candidate for eligibility to qualify for the ITTF World Hopes Challenge Award.
Playing in her first year, the young table tennis star captured the 8 and Under title in her first tournament, but her real dominance in the sport began the following year when she once again was crowned the 8 and Under champion at the Mashramani Tournament, while also ending runner-up in the 10 and Under Division.
She then entered the Independence Competition and there she once again dominated the 8 and Under Category to go with silver medals in the 10 and Under and 13 and Under divisions.
Young Clarkston continued to show admirable signs of improvement, giving even older opponents a difficult time to get past her as she repeatedly had to climb up to older age groups to get much needed competition.
Playing in the Independence Tournament in 2012, Clarkston’s victories in the 9 and Under and 11 and Under were emphatic and she secured two gold medals to go with silvers in the Doubles, and the 18 and Under divisions.
Then came the year 2013, this is when the Guyanese public and table tennis aficionados saw this rare talent blossom into a star with her enormous ability being felt way beyond these shores as she completely dominated her regional opponents which included players from traditional powerhouses Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica.
Clarkston was unstoppable as she swept all before her en route to three titles including the Singles, Girls Doubles teaming up with stable mate Selenas Jackman for the title, while gaining another gold in the Girls team event along with Jackman and Abigail Martin.
She was not done as yet as she claimed silver in the Mixed Doubles competition, being partnered with Terrence Raush. Clarkston’s quest to be the best has seen her challenge her senior counterparts time and again, never afraid of climbing the ladder to get into the bigger age groups.
Just last month during the Mashramani Tournament, Clarkston won the 11 and 13 and Under categories, before gaining silver medals in the 15 and 18 and Under divisions, losing to Priscilla Greaves and Chelsea Edghill respectively.
When questioned about her passion for the game and her expectations, Clarkston said she is more determined by her outstanding results so far in her career, while getting the opportunity to play internationally against the best in the world is her long term ambition.
Currently, she disclosed that she is preparing for all upcoming local and regional engagements and trusts that the opportunity to earn an ITTF World Hopes Challenge Award is not far away.
Clarkston at her tender age is undoubtedly one of the brightest prospects in local sports and deserves the opportunity to further develop her indisputable skill.
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