VIKRAM Singh finished first with a perfect 14 points at the Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union (ZTTU)’s inaugural warm-up national men’s selection qualification match at Gateway High School in Harare on Saturday.
The seven-round, round-robin event featured eight of the country’s top male players competing for positions in the national setup ahead of upcoming international assignments.
Brian Chamboko and Mlungisi Moyo finished tied for second on 12 points. Tino Fambira and Trust Madoro were a point behind on 11, followed by Tatenda Mumvuma with 10. Lydale Chafs collected eight points, while Morgan Charamba closed with seven.
Singh’s decisive result came against left-hander Mumvuma. Trailing 6–10 and facing match point, Singh produced four consecutive heavy topspin loops to reach deuce before closing out the contest, displaying remarkable composure and laying bare the technical gains from a recent 20-hour intensive training block under the new coaching team.
Veteran Chamboko, who has trained under Chinese coaches since 2007, defeated Madoro in a tactical battle. Chamboko used short pushes and drop shots to disrupt Madoro’s power game, with the younger player returning from a training stint in Chinese Taipei boasting an improved forehand attack.
Moyo’s all-out attacking approach earned him third place and praise for unsettling more defensive opponents.
The event was attended by ZTTU president Noah Fernando, technical director Richard Shumba, general secretary Tinashe Duri, and newly-appointed head coach Wang Liping with assistant Chen Xi.
National coach Wang said the tournament was an important marker for the squad’s development.
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“Today was a very good step. I saw Vikram grow up in one match. I saw Brian play with the heart of a lion. I saw Moyo play with no fear,” Wang told NewsDay Sport.
“But we are not Tyrannosaurus Rex yet. We are babies. We have teeth, but we need to grow into our bite. Given time. Given intensive training. We will conquer.”
The ZTTU confirmed the warm-up matches form part of an ongoing selection process. Dates for the next phase of training and qualifiers will be announced in due course.
Final standings:
- Vikram Singh 14pts, 2. Brian Chamboko 12pts, 3. Mlungisi Moyo 12pts, 4. Tino Fambira 11pts, 5. Trust Madoro 11pts, 6. Tatenda Mumvuma 10pts, 7. Lydale Chafs 8pts
- Morgan Charamba 7pts
