By: Scott Houston, Ian Marshall
Tinihau-O-Terai Klouman and Tuarikirau Thunot from Tahiti-Nui captured the Mixed Doubles title at the Mini Pacific Games in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, on Tuesday 29th September 2009 defeating Fiji’s Wang Qi and Shriti Jeet in the final.
Both pairs enjoyed reasonably trouble free paths to the semi-finals. However both were tested to the maximum at the penultimate stage with Wang Qi and Shriti Jeet, seeded no.3, facing top seeds Vanuatu’s Yoshua Shing and Anolyn Lulu.
Held Firm
After claiming a close first game, they soon found themselves down two games to one. However, they held firm and came through to win the last two games for a hard fought three-two victory to book their ticket in the gold medal match.
Full Distance Duel
The other semi final was an up and down affair in which Tinihau-O-Terai Klouman and Tuarikirau Thunot faced no. 4 seeds from Fiji, Richel Sen and Carolyn Xuan Li. The Tahitian pair dropped the first game before winning the second and third games to move within one game of the gold medal match.
However the Fijian’s were determined not to go down without a fight and stormed back by winning the fourth game 11-5. In the deciding fifth game the motivated and animated Tahitians were able to hold their nerve to win 11-6 to give themselves a chance at the gold medal.
Supporters in Voice
On paper the final looked to be a close duel. The rock solid defence of Wang Qi combined with the very steady counter hitting game of Shriti Jeet looked to match up well against the power of Tinihau-O-Terai Klouman and the passion of Tuarikirau Thunot.
Both teams had tremendous support in the final as there was a full contingent of both Fijian and Tahitian supporters watching. Every point was greeted with drums, chanting and applause as the centre court was transformed into a cauldron of competition.
Final
In the first game the Tahitian duo came out all guns blazing, whilst the Fiji pair seemed to be a little tentative; Tinihau-O-Terai Klouman and Tuarikirau Thunot moved one game clear by winning 11-5.
The second and third games were nail biting affairs. It was point for point all the way but it was the Tahitians who made the most of the big points, winning the second game 12-10 and then the third 11-9. In doing so they became the 2009 Mini Pacific Games Mixed Doubles gold medallists.
Celebrations
Both Tinihau-O-Terai Klouman and Tuarikirau Thunot were swamped by their supporters upon victory and the Tahiti television crew that was on site was quick to pounce for an interview. Surely they will be the toast of Tahiti table tennis this evening.
Bronze Medal
The bronze medal playoff saw Vanuatu’s Yoshua Shing and Anolyn Lulu confront Fiji’s Richel Sen and Carolyn Xuan Li. Richel Sen and Carolyn Xuan Li made the better start as they claimed a close first game 11-9.
Action was still tight in the second game but this time the pair from Vanuatu was able to hold on 11-9. From that point on Yoshua Shing and Anolyn Lulu dominated proceedings, especially Yoshua Shing as he put together a string of devastating forehands to extinguish all hopes for the Fiji pair. Vanuatu was able to claim bronze by running out three-one victors.
Pride in Medal Win
As they were seeded first they would be disappointed not to have gone further in this competition, however a medal at a major championship is something of which to be proud and they will be able to take some solace in this fact.
Action continues on Wednesday 30th September 2009 with the first two rounds of the men’s and women’s singles and then men’s and women’s doubles medals will be decided.
The Mixed Doubles Podium at the Mini Pacific Games
(left to right): Shriti Jeet, Wang Qi, Tuarikirau Thunot, Tinihau-O-Terai Klouman, Yoshua Shing Anolyn Lulu
Last Modified on 02/10/2009 05:09