Contrary to expectations, Giulia Takahashi and Guilherme Teodoro were champions in the mixed doubles at the Pan-American Table Tennis Championships, in El Salvador, after beating their experienced compatriots, Hugo Calderano – number 6 in the world – and Bruna Takahashi (19th), Giulia’s sister. After falling behind on the scoreboard, Guilherme (173rd in the ranking) and Giulia (92nd) fought a fierce battle to guarantee the comeback and the gold medal, until they won by 3 sets to 2 (partial scores of 5/11, 11/7, 11 /9, 5/11 and 11/6). The couple Calderano and Bruna, lovers off the court, took silver. The Pan-American Championship continues until Sunday (20), with live broadcast on the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) channel.
BRAZILIAN DOUBLE AND ELECTRICIZING FINAL🥇🥈
In the final 🇧🇷🆚🇧🇷, gold 🥇 for Giulia Takahashi and Guilherme Teodoro, after winning the final by 3️⃣ sets to 2️⃣
In the first competition since their debut as a mixed pair, Bruna Takahashi and Hugo Calderano won silver 🥈 pic.twitter.com/QvuHYt8cO8
—CBTM (@CBTM_TM) October 17, 2024
Soon, at 7pm (Brasília time), Giulia can win her second gold in the competition. She competes in the women’s doubles final, alongside Laura Watanabe, against Mexicans Paulina Vega and Daniela Ortega.
Calderano and Ishiy make the 2nd 100% Brazilian final
On Thursday afternoon (17), Vitor Ishiy (78th in the ranking) qualified for the final against Calderano, which takes place at 9:30 pm. Ishiy defeated compatriot Leonardo Iizuka (144th) in the semis by 4 sets to 0 (11/5, 11/8, 11/9 and 11/6). By the same score Calderano dispatched Argentine Horacio Cifuentes (143rd) with scores of 11/7, 12/10, 11/6 and 11/9.
Bruna Takahashi also secured herself in the women’s singles final, after a hard-fought victory over North American Amy Wang (53rd in the world rankings) by 4 sets to 3 (7/11, 12/14, 8/11, 11/6, 11 /5, 12/10 and 11/6). The Brazilian will compete for gold against Puerto Rican Adriana Diaz (13th), who beat her sister, Giulia, by 4 sets to 1 (11/8, 14/12, 11/3, 5/11 and 11/7).
Bronze in men’s doubles
On Wednesday night (16), Guilherme Teodoro won bronze with partner Vitor Ishiy after defeat in the men’s doubles semifinals. They were beaten by Argentines Horacio Cifuentes and Santiago Lorenzo, by 3 sets to 1 (11/7, 11/5, 5/11 and 11/6). In table tennis there is no dispute for third place on the podium: whoever loses the semi secures bronze.
