March 23, 2010
Aurora, CO Winter Open
Class 1: Derek Stanley & Francisco Mendez
By: Richard McAfee
Feb 28th - This year’s event sold out several weeks before the entry deadline proving that table tennis in Colorado continues to grow at a good pace. Fifty of the state’s best players traveled to Beck Recreation Center in Aurora, to take part in the popular Giant Round Robin Format and to enjoy the excellent playing conditions, large trophies, and free pizza lunch.
Class 2: Basil Ibegbu & Tulio Wolford
The draw this year included several highly rated players that were returning to the game after a long absence. This included the top seed, Thongvanh, Thao (2259, Grand Junction, CO). Thao, who in the 1980’s, played in the top division of the French National League, was making his return to game after a 15-year absence. Also returning after a 15 year absence was Eric Prusiewicz, (2158, Denver, CO) who interestingly had also once played in the French Leagues. Both players showed glimpses of their former skills but it was obvious that it will take a while to get back to their former levels.
Class 3: Michael King & Jan Nowakowski
Play started at 10am with all players competing in a preliminary round robin to determine which class they would compete in during the final afternoon round robin. Upsets were the order of the day with no one going undefeated in the Class A division. In the end, local Coach, and many time Mexican National Champion, Francisco Mendez (2234, Denver, CO.) proved too consistent and tactically savory as he won the final in straight games(9,5,9) over Derek Stanley (1874, Colorado Springs, CO.). Derek, who plays a classic chopping game with a very heavy forehand chop, had in his words, “the tournament of my life”. In the semi-final, Derek chopped down the strong looping #3 seeded, Pham, Nhu Phong (2190, Denver, CO) in straight games 2,6,4). In the other semifinal, Mendez downed Yunqian Zhu (Boulder, CO) in four games (-6,6,5,5). Yunqian who was playing in her first tournament in the US, surprised many players with her long pips backhand attacks and strong forehand looping play. Currently a student at the University of Colorado, Yunqian came out of the tournament with her first US rating of 2150.
Tournament Director, Judd Disch along with Aurora Club President, Chris Salazar ran a smooth on time event that was much enjoyed by all. Richard McAfee served as the tournament referee.
Class 4: Eggy Munkhtogoo & Manuel Salazar
A special thank you to Butterflyo for sponsoring the event, our club uses Butterfly Tables and Balls for all our tournaments.
Results
"Division 1(A) Mendez, Francisco 1st (9, 5, 9), Stanley, Derek 2nd
Semi's -Mendez (-6, 6, 5, 5) over Yunqian Zhu, Stanley (2, 6, 4) over Phong Pham
"Division 2(B) Ibegbu, Basil 1st (3, -9, 11, -19, 9), Wolford, Tulio 2nd
Semi’s (Ibegbu over Prusiewicz, Eric, Tulio over Dean Chen)
"Division 3(C) Nowakowski, Jan 1st (5, -10, -9, 7, 7), King, Michael 2nd
Semi’s (Jan over Phong Ly, King over Thien Tran)
"Division 4(D) Munkhtogoo, Eggy 1st (7, 12, 3), Salazar, Manuel (Manny) 2nd
Semi's(Eggy over Michael Meens, Manny over Larry Bogulski)
"Division 5(E) Stong, Michael 1st (-12, 9, 4, 4), McVeigh, Ian 2nd
Semi's(Stong over Patrick Fieldman, Ian over Matt Harris)
Class 5: Ian McVeigh & Michael Strong
Yunqian Zhu & Nhu Phong Pham
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