|
|
By: Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Eighteen year old Livia Mizobuchi and thirteen year old Caroline Kumahara secured the respective Junior Girls’ and Cadet Girls’ Singles titles at the Guatemala Junior Open on Thursday 25th June 2009, to conclude proceedings in style for Brazil.
Both Brazilians displayed excellent technical skills on their path to gold.
At the final hurdle, Livia Mizobuchi overcame Peru’s Angela Mori in six games whilst Caroline Kumahara recorded a straight games victory over the Dominican Republic's Eva Brito.
Nervous
“I’ve played Angela four time before today, she’s won twice and I’ve won twice”, explained Livia Mizobuchi. “Before, the match I was nervous, she’s a strong player, intelligent and she knows how to win, so I was a little scared.”
Well, Livia Mizobuchi overcame her nerves to clinch her first ever ITTF Junior Circuit Girls’ Singles title of her career. “Now, I feel great”, she smiled. “Really great!”
Upset
At the semi-final stage Livia Mizobuchi was the player to cause the upset; seeded no.4 she ousted top seed, Paraguay’s Sandy Gavilan, recovering from an opening game deficit to secure a five games victory.
Livia Mizobuchi won 4-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9.
Efficient
It was a most efficient performance by Livia Mizobuchi as were the efforts of second seed, Peru’s Angela Mori.
She recorded a five games penultimate rounmd victory over Mizobuchi’s compatriot, Amanda Marquez. The Peruvian won 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6.
Caroline Kumahara
A fine performance by Livia Mizobuchi and it was a fine performance by Caroline Kumahara in the final of the Cadet Girls’ Singles event.
Seeded no.1, she beat second seed, the Dominican Republic’s Eva Brito in straight games to secure gold.
She won 11-7, 11-5, 11-5.
Girls’ Doubles
Two gold medals for Brazilian female players but that was not to be the case in the Girls’ Doubles where Angela Mori gained a degree of consolation for her singles defeat.
She partnered Maria Soto to victory, seeded no.3, the pair overcame Cuba’s Heylyn Trujillo and Yuneisy Galvan at the final hurdle.
They won 11-9, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8.
