Paralympian Josephine Medina reigned supreme in the women’s singles class 6-8 event of the Copa Tango Table Tennis Tournament held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Medina, a fourth placer in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, blasted Elena Livinenko of Russia in the finals via an 11-7 11-5, 13-15, 11-7 decision.
“It was a really tough match, I´m very happy because it´s my second time here and I was able to win the gold medal once again. Elena was a very strong opponent, she is a very attack minded player; I was very focused, I tried to keep the ball on the table and change the speed of the play. The key was to be patient and to play safely,” narrated Medina at the tournamen’s official website.
Medina made it to the finals by beating Sweden’s Anna-Carin Ahlquist, Colombia’s Nelly Sanchez and Chile’s Ailyn Espindola.
“I want to thank all the support I receive from my country and also I must thank the organizers here in Buenos Aires,” she said.
Medina hopes to qualify anew in the Paralympic Games to be held next year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. But the Filipina netter must maintain her spot in the world ranking. She’s currently ranked fifth in the world.
“I’m hoping to qualify to Rio; so far I’m no.5, so hope to be there. It’s the dream for me and for my country the Philippines, it is not just for myself; in London it was the first time I had qualified for the Paralympic Games, I hope it will be the same again next year,” ended Medina.
Source: Emil C. Noguera of The Manila Times
