July 30, 2010
Stunning Mexican Performance Brings Matters to a Climax in Puerto Rico
 Marcos Madrid successful at the semi-final stage in San German Photo By: Fernando Aguilar |
Courtesy of ITTF In four straight games, he beat the Dominican Republic’s Lin Ju, to stun the crowd and cause unbridled celebrations from his colleagues and supporters. |
They rose as one in adulation, as the 23 year old secured the final point to clinch the coveted title.
It was arguably the best performance in the career of the Mexican.
Best Performance
Marcos Madrid represents all that is good in sport; always well mannered, humble in victory, magnanimous in defeat.
He is a credit to Mexico, Latin America and the sport of table tennis.
Recovery Imminent
The feeling in the Universidade Interamericana was one of surely Lin Ju will recover after losing a first close game, surely he would recover after losing the second?
However, with Marcos Madrid ahead 6-4 in the third game, the mood in the hall was changing; Lin Ju, who had not been troubled throughout the whole nine days of the tournament, was in trouble.
Comfortable
He was in serious trouble; Marcos Madrid was the one player in the whole tournament who was comfortable when playing towards the backhand of Lin Ju; he was comfortable against the heavy backspin returns.
Equally, he was prepared to return the service wide to the Lin Ju forehand and control the attacks from the top seed.
Almost There
Doubts grew in Lin Ju’s mind, while in the temples of Marcos Madrid you could see the thought “You are nearly there, don’t rush, keep working, don’t do anything stupid, this is your chance.”
On the whole Marcos Madrid follows his own orders. There was just hint of impetuosity when two points clear but he controlled his emotions; that was until he won the last point!
Then, he celebrated but he celebrated naturally, no ridiculous rolling on the floor any other false acclimation; politely he shook hands with Lin Ju, the man from the Dominican Republic nodded his head in congratulations. The Mexicans danced on their hats!
Yadira Silva
“Today I felt mentally so good; I really believed I had a chance to win”, smiled Marcos Madrid as Yadira Silva, who has suffered defeat in the Women’s Singles final against Lin Ju’s colleague, Wu Xue, hugged the Mexican hero in delight.
Equally, Yadira Silva had performed in excellent fashion against Wu Xue, she captured the second game and brought the best out of the champion elect; realistically, she was the only player in the whole tournament to cause Wu Xue problems.
Yadira Silva had been a great credit to Mexico but of course, whatever anyone else achieved on the final day of play, the hour belonged to Marcos Madrid.
Control
“I played him at the World Championships last year and he totally controlled the match”, reflected Marcos Madrid. “Today, I was more confident, especially playing to his backhand and I felt much more in control; I’m so grateful that I won today.”
So Close, Yet So Far
Grateful and a far cry from almost two years earlier in the Dominican Republic when competing against Trinidad and Tobago’s Dexter St Louis for the very final place in the Men’s Singles event at the Olympic Games.
In the deciding game, Marcos Madrid was within a hair’s breadth of victory; it was snatched away and there was no place for the Mexican in Beijing. It was a cruel blow, a cruel blow for whoever lost that contest.
“One point can change your life”, reflected Marcos Madrid. “I had to recover from that defeat, to keep going; now, today, fantastic, wonderful, just unbelievable.”
Well Deserved
Nor unbelievable, Marcos Madrid did what every good player does, he resigned defeat to history and he believed, he believed in his ability and he gained the reward he so justly deserved – Central American and Caribbean Games Men’s Singles Table Tennis Champion 2010.
Wu Xue, the 2010 Central American & Caribbean Games
Women’s Singles champion.
Photo By: Fernando Aguilar
RESULTS
Men's Singles Main Draw
Women's Singles Main Draw
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