Tarragona played host to a busy week of national competition for the Monte Porreiro Table Tennis Club and the Pontevedra Table Tennis Club, encompassing the Copa del Rey, Spanish Championship, and State Tournament. The local representatives returned with a combined haul of two bronze medals, signaling a successful showing for the Pontevedra contingent.
The first medal came courtesy of Judith Cobas in the State Tournament, while Miguel Vílchez secured the second in the Spanish Championship doubles category. These results highlight the growing strength of table tennis within the Pontevedra region.
Cobas Claims Bronze in State Tournament
The State Tournament saw Raul Alvarez, Eli Cadilla, Natalia Oubiña, and Judith Cobas representing Pontevedra. Alvarez and Cadilla unfortunately didn’t advance from the group stage, finishing fifth. Oubiña reached the U21 quarterfinals, falling to Nerea Aizpurua, who ultimately claimed the tournament title.
Judith Cobas proved to be the standout performer, securing a bronze medal in the senior category. She navigated the initial stages effectively, finishing second in her group and successfully progressing through the qualifying rounds.
Cobas demonstrated her prowess in the round of sixteenths, defeating Claudia Infante with a decisive 3-0 victory. She continued her winning streak in the quarterfinals, overcoming April Gonzalez in a closely contested 3-2 match. These victories propelled her to the semifinals, where she faced a formidable opponent in Isabel Duffoo. Despite a valiant effort, Cobas was unable to overcome Duffoo, ultimately losing 3-1 and securing the bronze medal.
Vílchez Adds to the Medal Count in Spanish Championship
Miguel Vílchez continued the medal-winning momentum in the Spanish Championship, though he wasn’t able to defend his previous year’s title in the absolute individual category. He partnered with Carlos Franco, and the duo achieved a national bronze in the doubles category.
Vílchez and Franco began their campaign in the round of thirty-second, receiving a bye into that stage, where they defeated Sergio and Juan Bautista Pérez 0-3. They maintained their form in the sixteenths, overcoming the Catalan pairing of Eric Cintas and Marc Miró with the same 1-3 scoreline. The quarterfinal saw them triumph over Joan Ander Guerricabeitia and Endika Diez, again by a score of 1-3.
Their journey concluded in the semifinals, where Vílchez and Franco were defeated by Ander Cepas and Juan Pérez 3-0, falling just short of a place in the national final, which was ultimately won by Rafa de Las Heras and Diego Lillo. Despite the semifinal loss, Vílchez secured a third-place finish, adding another medal to his collection and overcoming the disappointment of a quarterfinal exit in the doubles event last year.
Visit Pontevedra Opens King’s Cup with Victory
The Visit Pontevedra team also debuted in the Club King’s Cup on Wednesday, achieving a narrow 2-3 victory against the Sabadell Swimming Club. They are scheduled to face Linares, the current group leader after their own 3-0 win against Sabadell, on Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.
Each of the three Pontevedra players – Martín Bentancor, André Silva, and Vílchez – contributed a victory, securing the team’s first win in the tournament. This initial success sets a positive tone for Visit Pontevedra as they continue their campaign in the King’s Cup, facing a challenging opponent in Linares.
The results from Tarragona demonstrate the rising talent within the Monte Porreiro and Pontevedra Table Tennis Clubs, and signal a promising future for the sport in the region. The bronze medals earned by Cobas and Vílchez are a testament to their dedication and skill, and provide a foundation for continued success in upcoming competitions.
