Podiums for table tennis stars
THE UMGUNGUNDLOVU Region’s rich stock of junior table tennis players seems on song at the right time.
Four Pietermaritzburg players – Keshmika Sivnarain, Prianna Maharaj, Yukail Naidoo and Yashka Rabichand – all made podium appearances at the recently held Arnold Classic Sports Festival in Johannesburg.
Rabichand claimed gold in the girls Under-12, Sivnarain and Maharaj managed a silver and bronze in the U18 category respectively, and Naidoo won bronze in the boys U18.
The festival, which took place for the first time in South Africa, is a multisport event with numerous codes, and with the nationals just around the corner, the tournament attracted some of the country’s best players.
“I was very nervous,” Rabichand says. “My opponent was equally strong and the game was very close.
“I knew that I had to take my time, slow down the game to keep calm and take control. With the game at match point, the last-minute timeout call from my coach to change strategy, and the huge encouragement from my team members helped.”
Sivnarain was disappointed to go down in the final against national team-mate, Lekeasha Johnson, after beating her in the Open Women’s division.
“It was a closely contested final and I lost by two points. I learnt that you cannot win all the time and losing makes you stronger. If you tried your best, played your heart out, you’re always a winner.”
Maharaj lost against Sivnarain at the semi-final stage, but fought back in the third and fourth play-off against the Eastern Cape’s Phumza Makiva.
“I am satisfied with the bronze medal as I played above my division. I lost to my close friend and number two South Africa ranked player in the division so it was quite an achievement.”
Naidoo overcame Cade Peters of the Western Cape to finish third in an unfamiliar age category.
“I am satisfied with bronze considering I normally play in the under-15 division. It’s an achievement,” he said.
The quartet is now in the final phase of training for the nationals to be held in Pietermaritzburg from July 10-16.