Germany’s 16 year old Florian Wagner and 15 year old Katsiaryna Baravok from Belarus, booked the final places in the table tennis events to be staged at the Youth Olympic Games in August in Singapore, by emerging successful in the respective Boys’ and Girls’ Singles events at the Pan American Qualification tournament in the Venezuelan city of Valencia on Sunday 25th April 2010.
A determined Katsiaryna Baravok en route the qualification for Singapore Photo By: Maria Isabel Batista
Florian Wagner overcame Michael Landers from the United States of America in the final having at the penultimate stage defeated Mexico’s Alberto Romo. Meanwhile, Katsiaryna Baravok defeated the host nation’s Anny Sevilla in the semi-finals, before overcoming Canada’s Zhao Lolo at the final hurdle. Third Place
Third place in the Boys’ Singles event went to Canada’s Matthew Theriault who has suffered Michael Landers at the semi-final stage; he beat Alberto Romo in the play off match whilst in the counterpart Girls’ Singles event, the bronze medallist was Peru’s Maria Soto.
She was beaten by Zhao Lolo in the semi-finals before clinching the bronze medal spot with victory over Anny Sevilla.
Heartbreak Again
Joy and disappointment and for one player in particular it was again heartbreak.
They say third time lucky; it was not that situation for Michal Landers.
At the Pan American Continental Qualification Tournament in El Salvador in February, he reached two finals; only the winner progressed. Furthermore, he lost both finals in seven games, the first to Ecuador’s Rodrigo Tapia, the second to Argentina’s Pablo Saragovi.
Again in Venezuela he reached the final, again it was close, this time in six games, this time to Florian Wagner; again sadness.
