Humablot si Kheith Rhynne Cruz ng isa pang karangalan sa namumuong karera, sinungkit ang Under-19 girls singles title sa katitiklop na World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Contender Puerto Princesa 2023 sa Palawan.
Niyanig niya si top seed at world youth No. 15 Sally Moyland ng United States, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, upang makopo ang korona na nag-iisa ng bansa sa torneo.
Kakapag-uwi lang ni Cruz ng dalawang gintong medalya sa Southeast Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships noong June sa Brunei.
Winalis ng national team members ang three matches sa Group 2 preliminaries, at kinopo ang title match spot pagkaldag sa kababayang si Zachi Mhiel Chua, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5, sa 11-nation event na mga sinuportahan ng Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Hua Ching Foundation, Topcoms, Globe, at local government of Puerto Princesa.
Sumabak din si Cruz sa U-17 girls singles at hinarbat ang pilak snang talunin ni Moyland, 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-4, sa kaganapang dinaluhan nina PSC chairman Richard ‘Dickie’ Bachmann, commissioner Walter Torres, at PSC Minadanao coordinator Noli Ayo.
Ang iba pang kasapi ng Philippine team na nagwagi ng medalya ay sina Ray Joshua Lawrence Manlapaz (silver, U19 at U17 boys), Adelle Leopoldo (silver, U11 girls), Chrishien Santillan (bronze, U19 girls), Chua (bronze, U19 girls), Emmanuel Yamson (bronze, U19 boys), at Matthan Jamin (bronze, U11 boys).
“Your presence in our city has enriched our lives, and we hope that you leave with fun memories of our warm hospitality and fond memories of our city. The friendships formed and the cultural exchanges that I am sure have taken place will leave a lasting impact extending far beyond the championship,” litanya ni Puerto Princesa mayor Lucilo Bayron, na nagbigay ng P20K at P10K sa mga Pinoy paddlewielder na nag-gold at silver medals.
Pinasalamatan naman ni Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc. president Ting Ledesma ang lungsod sa pagtataguyod sa kompetisyon, hinirit na magkakaloob din ang PTTFI ng insentibong P20K, P10K at P5K sa mga Pinoy na nag-gold, silver at bronze.
“Your presence and enthusiasm added a special touch to the event. We bid adieu to this wonderful event, but the journey does not end here,” sey ni Ledesma sa closing ceremony.
Magtataguyod uli ang Puerto Princesa ng isa pang WTT Youth Contender sa April 29-May 5, 2024.
(Abante TONITE Sports)
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