Notícia

BRAZIL'S GIRL WINS THE GOLD MEDAL

Por CBTM

Brazil represented by Karin Fukushima, Livia Mizobuchi and Jessica Yamada dominated matters in the Girls' Team event at the ITTF World Junior Circuit tournament in Viña del Mar, Chile.

They won the title without surrendering a single individual match.

The Brazilian teenagers emerged unscathed in the group stage and maintained their form in the semi-final and final, beating Puerto Rico `A' and Chile `A' respectively to clinch gold.

Lyanne Aponte Poses Problems
In the semi-final duel against Puerto Rico `A', the left handed Lyanne Aponte proved to be one of the few players in the event to present the all conquering Brazilians with problems.

She extended Jessica Yamada the full five games distance and came very close to denting the eventual champion tam's perfect record.

Confidence
"I've played Lyanne before and won but it's always hard", said Jessica Yamada. "It was very close today; I just kept believing that I could win."

Understandably, the Brazilian teenager is confident at the moment, she won the Girls' Singles crown at the Venezuelan Junior Open last week and being unbeaten in the Girls' Team event has no doubt added to her self-belief.

Style
The victory secured by Jessica Yamada put Brazil two matches to nil ahead with Karin Fukushima having given her team a fine start by overcoming Cynthia Gonzalez in straight games.

"She didn't like my style of play", said Karin Fukushima. "I use short pimples on the backhand and that caused her a lot of problems."

Victory Secured
The wins secured by Karin Fukushima and Jessica Yamada had put Brazil in a commanding position and they duly converted the advantage by clinching the doubles.

Livia Mizobuchi partnered Jessica Yamada to victory over Lyanne Aponte and Cynthia Gonzalez and a place in the final was thus secured.

Semi-Final Success for Chile
In the final the Brazilians faced the Chile `A' who, like Brazil, had overcome Puerto Rican adversaries in semi-finals.

They beat Puerto Rico `B' three-nil.Natalia Castellano accounted for Carelyn Cordero, Blanca Duran beat Gloriany Baba and matters came to an end with the partnership of Natalia Castellano and Karen Rojas overcoming Gloriany Baba and Carelyn Cordero.

Brazil in Control
A place in the final for Chile but there was to be no gold, the Brazilians held the aces.

As in the semi-final, Karin Fukushima gave her team a splendid start. She beat Natalia Castellano in four games, giving a most assured performance.

"Natalia has a very strong forehand and her services are very good", explained Karin Fukushima. "I think the main reason why I won was that I was consistent, that's what made the difference."

Further Ahead
Brazil ahead, Jessica Yamada followed suit with a straight games win over Blanca Duran; she was positive and controlled matters from start to finish.

"I attacked well in the match", said Jessica Yamada. "Also, when I kept the ball short I won points; that was important."

Tense Moments
A two matches to nil lead secured, Jessica Yamada and once again partnered Livia Mizobuchi to doubles success but not without some tense moments.

The Chilean duo of Paula Avalos and Blanca Duran fought; they played with pride and extended the champions elect the full distance, the Brazilians winning 14-12 in the decisive fifth game.

Complementary Players
A tough doubles contest and Livia Mizobuchi was delighted to be partnering Jessica Yamada.

"I think we play well together, in the semi-finals we both attacked well", she said. "We combine well and Jessica is always encouraging me, she really gives me very good support."

A Dilemma for Jessica Yamada
Livia Mizobuchi and Jessica Yamada remained unbeaten as a doubles pairing in the team event in Chile but the previous week in Venezuela, Jessica Yamada had partnered Karin Fukushima in the Girls' Doubles event and they had won the title!

So, who does Jessica Yamada prefer to partner? "They are both different", she giggled. "I can play with either of them equally well!"

A shrewd response; not only is Jessica Yamada proving herself to be a fine table tennis player, seems she's also got the potential to be a politician!