--PRINCE ALBERT-- The standout combatant in the Victoria Day weekend’s ping-pong championships, Alayna Chan, finished second in under-18 girls singles play after a grueling tournament, falling just short of her lofty goals.
Chan, 17, maintained her perch atop Saskatchewan’s table tennis rankings as the No. 1 seed after losing a gut wrenching, nip-and-tuck clash in Sunday’s final to a familiar foe.
“I choked,” Chan said. “We have played each other many times and the games are always pretty close.”
Julianne Mac, of Alberta, edged out Chan in the final by winning the fifth and deciding game. Chan took the first game, but said she had trouble maintaining her scintillating start. Mac is one of Alberta’s top seeds and always plays Chan close to the vest.
In other action, Chan barely missed out on a chance to play in the women’s singles final, losing in the semifinals to an adversary from B.C., who is 10 years her elder.
B.C., with all its ping-pong pizzazz, topped the overall standings, finishing first out of five competing teams. Minnesota did not make its way north in vain, following close behind in second.
Team Saskatchewan finished the 2011 Western Canadian Open Table Tennis Championships at the basement of the table, but Gary To says this result was always in the realm of possibilities. “We don’t have the resources or the population to win the event,” To said.
“Oh dear,” Chan sighed. “I am ready for a day off, and a sleep-in.” -
He lost to opponents from Manitoba and Minnesota, who To said were “very tough,” but bowed out of the contest with no reservations about the way he performed. “I played to my ability. It was fair and I am satisfied with the results,” he said.
To, 31, is the youngest member on the board of the Saskatchewan Table Tennis Association (STTA) and was content with how the tournament was organized, considering the magnitude of the event.
“It is a big tournament,” said To, who was encouraged by the numerous volunteers and officials from other provinces that lent a helping hand. “It ran as smoothly as it could have.”
Dwayne Yachiw, executive director of the STTA, was pleased with the weekend’s festivities and overall level of play. “There were some exciting matches at every level,” Yachiw said.
Those who participated in numerous events over the weekend, like Chan, were obligated to deal with frenetic match schedules.
Chan played close to15 tournament matches, and is relieved to have a brief respite to mend her aches and pains.
“Oh dear,” she sighed. “I am ready for a day off, and a sleep-in.”
Once rejuvenated, she will set her sights on Nationals, which are to be held in Mississauga Ont., in July.
