Saint Lucia’s Under-19 boys’ table tennis team started slowly in the first two days, but bounced back to earn historic 3-2 wins over Costa Rica and Mexico at the ITTF-Americas Youth Championships in Guatemala City on Tuesday.
The team, which finished ninth, comprised national junior champion Manie Eleuthere, runner-up Leshon Francis, and Khamari Harris in the boys’ event, and Shatal Charles who was the only female competitor, playing singles and mixed doubles.
“Our first day was tough, especially as we didn’t get a chance to practise in the venue,” explained coach Chris Wells. “The ball travelled differently in the air. We are about 5,000 feet above sea level competing, so the first two days were tough, trying to acclimatise and play similar to how we practised back home.
“We had no way of preparing for that altitude; after all, our highest peak is a little over 3,000 feet, and we are competing at almost 2000 feet higher than our highest peak.”
Without any practice time before the event, Saint Lucia lost their first group matches 3-0 to Peru and Canada. Eleuthere gave the toughest challenge, pushing his Canadian opponent to five sets before losing 3-2.
On the second day, Saint Lucia turned things around and earned their first-ever team wins against Costa Rica and Mexico in international play. Leshon Francis, who is under 15, led the team by going undefeated in both matches, even though he was playing in the Under-19 category.
Francis won both singles matches against Costa Rica, including a straight-set victory in the deciding fifth match. Against Mexico, he also won both of his matches in straight sets, beating the reigning Central American Under-19 champion.
The Pan American Championships continue until August 31. Charles will compete in the girls’ singles and mixed doubles, while the boys will also play in singles and doubles events.
