Jamaica capture silver medal in men’s doubles
HOSTS Jamaica gained their first medal when they finished runners-up in the men’s doubles final at the 60th staging of the Caribbean Region Table Tennis Federation Championships at National Arena yesterday.
The Jamaican doubles pair of Simon Tomlinson and Kane Watson was beaten by the number one pair of Emil Santos and Samuel Galvez of the Dominican Republic in straight sets 3-0 with scores of 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 in the final.
The Dominican Republic completed another sweep when the pair of Eva Brito and Yasiris Ortiz captured the gold medal in the women’s doubles final by beating their compatriots 3-1 (11-4, 12-14, 11-1, 11-8).
Jamaica’s coach Satoshi Takashima said Tomlinson and Watson played very good leading up to the final, but both were a bit nervous in the final.
“I think that they were scared of their opponents as the Dominican Republic’s level is much higher than Jamaica, but nevertheless they did pretty well,” Takashima said.
He added: “I don’t care whether they win or lose, as all I want the players to do is to play at their best.”
Takashima said he was looking for Jamaica to do very well in all individual singles.
Meanwhile, Tomlinson said he was happy for the medal. “I could not keep up with his pace but we are looking to secure more medals.”
Watson said it was a good feeling to be in the final, but that they were aiming for the gold medal.
“We need to get it right as we will be taking each game one at a time during the individual singles, and hoping Jamaica can win more medals,” Watson said.
Emil Santos of the Dominican Republic, a member of the men’s doubles gold medal winning team, said they knew they would have beaten Jamaica in the final.
“The first set was very close and tight but thereafter it became easy, as the Jamaicans squandered their three points leading in all three sets,” Santos said.
He said the Dominican Republic team will be looking to make a clean sweep at the championships.
The Under-21 men’s and women’s, along with the over 45 men’s and women’s singles will be played today starting at 9:00 am.
