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Eddie Baza Calvo (right) delighted to
congratulate Adriana Diaz (right) on her
12th birthday
Photo By: Matt Weiss
Courtesy of ITTF
Latin America, the continent that has arguably made the most progress in the past decade, the era of the ITTF Global Junior Program, collected bronze medals in both the Boys’ and Girls’ Team events at the ITTF Cadet Challenge in Guam on Wednesday October 31, 2012.
It was for Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz, more than a just reward for her efforts and it was her 12th birthday; a fact that did not go unnoticed by Eddie Baza Calvo, the Governor of Guam and his wife Christina.
A smiling young lady, thousands of miles away from her family, was full of smiles as she clutched a colorful bouquet of flowers. Birthday celebrations in a Pacific paradise, the equal of a Caribbean carnival.
Lining up alongside Leticia Nakada, Eunice Galvez on the second day of play; the Latin Americans finished in fourth place; two bronze medals are awarded so defeat at the hands of Europe in the semi-finals and the World Hopes Team in the third place contest were not heart breaking.
One Step Higher
However, for the Latin American Boys’ Team, it was one step higher.
Selecting from Brian Afanador, Fermin Tenti, Isaac Zauli and Marlon Vite, they secured third place. They lost to Asia in the semi-finals but overcame the ITTF World Hopes Team in the third place contest.
Two Defeats
Alas for the Latin American girls it was a brace of three-nil defeats; first against Europe (Natalia Bajor, Ho Tin Tin, Andreea Clapa), then in opposition to the ITTF World Hopes Team (Bruna Takahashi, Adina Diaconu, Vaness Tsz Ching); the latter, a contest which caused Guilherme Simoes, the Latin America Girls’ Team Coach quite a dilemma.
He is Brazilian and in the opening contest Leticia Nakada, representing Latin America, faced Bruna Takahashi on duty for the ITTF World Hopes Team. Both girls are Brazilian!
Has it ever happened before in an international match where both opponents have been from the same country?
Difficult
“It was difficult as they are both my players in a way”, confessed Guilherme Simoes. “However, it was clear that I’m here as the coach of the Latin America Team.”
Was it a no win situation for Guilherme Simoes or a no lose situation?
Bruna Takahashi, like Adriana Diaz is only 12 years old
Photo By: Matt Weiss
Decisive Match
“I think they both played well and did their best in a true sporting and fair play spirit, which is very good”, he added. “However, this was also the deciding match in my opinion; if Leticia had won it could have turned the end result of the entire team match.”
Bruna Takahashi won but it was close; the match went the full five games distance (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 11-9) and certainly it gave her ITTF World Hopes Team colleagues confidence. Adina Diaconu accounted for Adriana Diaz (11-5, 11-9, 11-6) before Vaness Tsz Ching brought matters to an end by defeating Eunice Galvez (11-9, 11-7, 11-5).
Positive Mood
Defeat but Guilherme Simoes was in a positive mood and full of hope for the future.
“Winning a medal is always great so I’m happy and so are my girls; besides, we have a great generation, Adriana Diaz from Puerto Rico, the runner up at the 2012 Hopes Challenge, is just 12 years old, today!” smiled Guilherme Simoes. “Also Bruna Takahashi, who is representing the World Hopes Team this year, is only 12 years old; surely both will be in Team Latin America next year?”
Unquestionably, an exciting generation of girls is emerging in Latin America.
A bronze medal for Ecuador’s Eunice Galvez
Photo By: Matt Weiss
Interesting Theory
“I believe we have realistic chances to reach even higher next year”, added Guilherme Simoes. “Actually every year we can make a step forward: so in three years’ time we can reach right to the top.”
It’s a good theory and one which Jean-Philippe Gatien harbored in 1997. In 1995 France won the bronze medal in the Men’s Team event at the World Championships in Tianjin, two years later it was silver in Manchester. Logically, argued the French star it would be gold on the next occasion in Kuala Lumpur in 2000.
France finished in 13th place – unlucky! Latin America at the ITTF Cadet Challenge in 2015?
Most Satisfied
Fourth place for the Latin American girls, third place for the boys and, like compatriot, Adriana Diaz, Brian Afanador was more than satisfied with a bronze medal.
“It feels great and I’m very happy; we all are!” smiled Brian Afanador. “I think I played well but I know I can do even better.”
Brazil’s Leticia Nakada impressive in Guam
Photo By: Matt Weiss
Painful Memories
Play better, perhaps the five-nil defeat against Europe one day earlier was lingering in the memory.
“It was painful, very painful actually; I lost both my matches in five games; this shouldn’t happen but I’m sure I will play better in the singles if we meet again”, continued Brian Afanador who had lost to Anton Kallberg and Patryk Zatowka. “Now I know how to play them!”
True, but remember they know how to play you!
Experienced Player
However, Brian Afandor, although only 15 years old, is a relatively experienced player. He was a member of the first ever ITTF World Hopes Team, the class of 2009 and is of no doubt being part of that team has helped a great deal.
“It has helped me a lot, I have had many opportunities to practice at high level training camps and compete at international events, which was a great experience for me”, said the Puerto Rican, who some three years later can still be seen wearing his ITTF World Hopes Team shirt.
In fact I’m sure he sleeps in it!
Isaac Zauli an exciting prospect from Brazil
Photo By: Matt Weiss
Success in Italy
Opportunities and the opportunities have paid off. Earlier this year he won the Cadet Boys’ Singles title at the Italian Junior and Cadet Open; a feat for a Puerto Rican unheard of a decade ago.
“Puerto Rico is not a traditional table tennis country but we are getting there slowly”, said Brian Afanador; in fact compared with the vast majority of associations affiliated to the International Table Tennis Federation, they are “getting there” very fast!
“I’m sure that the victory in Italy, which has a very special place in my memories, wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the International Table Tennis Federation.
Coached by Father
Also, it would not have been possible without the support of the man sitting courtside, Eladio Afanador, Brian’s father. It’s always a different situation when a relative is the advisor.
“It’s been like that all my career so I’m used to it but there’s surely a mixture of roles, father and coach, player and son”, explained Brian Afanador. “It is more emotional and even stressful in a way, we also have our ups and downs but on the other way we work very well together and I’m happy to have him close to me practically all the time.”
Brian Afanador setting new standards for Puerto Rico
Photo By: Matt Weiss
Three Brazilians
A good relationship in more ways than one has been established; two bronze medals for Puerto Rico but not the most successful Latin American country as the team events concluded.
Brazil and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Ecuador can each boast three bronze medalists.
Isaac Zauli and Leticia Nakada were on duty for Brazil in the Latin American Team; while Bruna Takahashi was on duty for the ITTF World Hopes Girls’ outfit.
Three Ecuadorians
Similarly for Ecuador, Marlon Vite and Eunice Galvez were members of the Latin American Team; Danny Garcia was on duty for the ITTF World Hopes Boys’ Team.
Overall Latin America boasted ten bronze medalists; their best ever performance.
A bronze medal for Ecuador’s Marlon Vite
Photo By: Matt Weiss
Visit ITTF Guam 2012 World Cadet Challenge for complete coverage and results.
