Champions Crowned in Charleston, West Virginia
by Joshua Dyke
Fourteen new gold medal champions have been crowned at the 2023 ITTF Pan American Championships after eight days of steady competition in Charleston, West Virginia.
Singles – LIU Amber (USA) Cadet Girls’ – on the podium at the 2023 ITTF Pan American Youth Championships - Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center – West Virginia. July 30, 2023.
The United States led the overall medal count for the Pan Am region across singles, doubles, and teams, earning 21 medals in totality — 9 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
LIU Amber finished the tournament as the most decorated champion for the USA and the Pan Am region for 2023. LIU captured gold medals across all U15 events. LIU took gold in Cadet Girls’ Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Teams.
In the Cadet U15 Singles final, LIU Amber in three games versus her Doubles championship teammate and Singles silver medalist LIN Yishiuan.
In the USA-loaded finals matchup for Cadet U15 Boys’ Singles HE Xianyao pulled off the win against HSU Stanley in five games at 3-2 (11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 5-11, and 11-9).
Moyland Sally won the Junior Girls’ Singles gold medal for the United States against BRA TAKAHASHI Giulia 4-1 (11-8, 12-10, 6-11, 11-7 and 11-3) in the best of seven.
Doubles – TAKAHASHI Giulia/WATANABE Laura (Brazil) Junior Girls’ – Finals at the 2023 ITTF Pan American Youth Championships - Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center – West Virginia. July 30, 2023
Brazil is taking home 15 medals overall from the event — 2 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals.
In U19 Girls’ Doubles, TAKAHASHI Giulia/WATANABE Laura
overpowered USA TAN Emily/KE Tiffany three games straight in best of five contest. The remarkable Brazilian duo did not allow a game to finish at a point deficit below four points.
Brazil’s first gold medal of the tournament was in U15 Boys’ Teams. Brazil won the hard-fought gold medal matchup against the United States at a 3-2 team score (3-2, 3-0, 1-3, 2-3, and 3-1).
Singles – NARANJO Angel (Puerto Rico) Junior Boys’ – Finals Ceremony at the 2023 ITTF Pan American Youth Championships - Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center – West Virginia. July 30, 2023.
Puerto Rico had a strong outing across all age events claiming ten medals from the youth championships — 2 gold, 2 silver, and 6 bronze.
NARANJO Angel seized gold in one of the most impressive displays at the tournament during the U19 Boys’ Singles against USA NARESH Nandan.
Jumping out to an early lead NARANJO jumped out ahead, going up two games before trading matches towards his game six championship victory. Tiptoeing a fine line between calculated and aggressive play, it was evident that his power and accuracy won him gold on finals day.
The event caps off an extraordinary run in U19 Boys’ Singles for NARANJO Angel. He finished with his third consecutive gold medal in his final appearance for the Junior Pan American event.
Puerto Rico soundly defeated the United States in the U19 Mixed Doubles final to win their second gold medal. BIRREAL Oscar & RODRIGUEZ Alondra overwhelmed TSAO Darryl & MOYLAND Sally 3-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-6, and 11-7)
Doubles – FERNANDEZ Carlos/RUBINOS Adrian (Peru) Junior Boys’ – Finals at the 2023 ITTF Pan American Youth Championships - Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center – West Virginia. July 30, 2023.
Peru won four medals in West Virginia — 1 gold and 3 bronze medals during the event finding the most success behind U19 Boys’ Doubles gold medalists FERNANDEZ Carlos/RUBINOS Adrian in their game five win over PUR NARANJO Angel/PUR VALENTIN Derek (11-1, 11-1, 11-1, 11-1, and 11-1).
Peru scored bronze medals in the Boys’ U15 Teams, Girls’ U15 Teams, and U19 Boys’ Teams events.
Canada grabbed three medals this year, one silver and two bronze. Taking the silver in U15 Girls’ Teams were LIU Emily, XU Jessie, and PAN Ivy versus USA.
Mexico finished the event with two bronze medals, in U19 Boys’ Doubles and U19 Mixed Doubles with CASTRO Rogelio being a key component on both teams.
Ecuador finished the Girls' U15 Teams event with a bronze medal behind MENENDEZ BRAVO Maybelline Sheccid, FACTOS Danaett, and RUBIO Anie.
All 2023 ITTF Pan American Youth Championships Teams gold medalists and Singles gold and silver medalists have qualified for the ITTF World Junior Championships 2023 in Gorica, Slovenia this November.
Doubles Teams for the world event will be determined by those who qualified by singles. The remaining qualifiers for the World Youth Championships will be decided through youth world rankings.
See complete results from the group stages and knockout rounds at the 2023 ITTF Pan American Youth Championships from ITTF Americas.