Confident Van Lange out to defend Junior National title

Competitive table tennis will make a return to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall this weekend with the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) hosting the Junior Nationals.

One player eager to reassert his status as one of Guyana’s bright prospects is Jonathan Van Lange. He is hoping to defend his title.

When the Championship was last staged in January 2020, Van Lange swept both the Under-15 and Under-18 categories quite emphatically.

This time around the 15-year-old will just be in the Under-19 category and speaking to News Room Sport on Thursday, he was elated competitive table tennis is back in Guyana.

“I am just happy table tennis is back after about a year, so just looking to go and compete against my peers and hopefully retain my title.”

Van Lange represented Guyana at the Junior Pan-American Games held in Colombia last month and the eye-opening experience has been a huge boost to his skills. He highlighted the numerous interactions with seasoned players and coaches, who offered advice on his game.

It is understood that due to academic commitments, Kaysan Ninvalle, who Van Lange defeated in both finals in the last championship, will not participate, which leaves the door ajar as to who will bring the challenge to the reigning champion.

The Junior Nationals will serve off on Saturday with Doubles in all three categories from 10:00h along with the Open Novices.

Singles action will start from 13:00h and will run over to Sunday when the finals would be played.

There is a reserve day the following weekend, which is timetabled for the senior nationals.