Rising table tennis star Tinotenda Fambira beat defending champion and veteran Vikram Singh to lift the table tennis Zimbabwe Open championship at Divaris Makaharis School on Sunday.
It was a closely fought decider in the Men Open category with Singh looking like he was going take leading 7 - 4 in the final set but Fambira staged a brilliant comeback to win 11-9 and complete 3 - 2.
Former champion Brian Chamboko settled for a bronze after getting the better off Mlungisi Moyo in third and fourth place playoff.
Fambira was excited to win the tournament and has already shifted focus to international competitions.
"I am very excited to be the Zimbabwe Open champion. It's something that I didn't expect especially coming up against the best player in Zimbabwe Vikram Singh who is also a role for many upcoming players," Fambira said.
"I maybe going to the World Cup later this year but the list of wild cards are not yet out but in July there are the Region V Games in Botswana and my target is to reach the quarterfinals," he added.
The Women Open category was won by Ashley Dlamini from Bulawayo while Vimbai Makuvaza from Manicaland was the runner-up in the two day event.
Mashonaland East's Isheanesu Siringwani won bronze while Liberty Muyengwa was fourth.
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It was the first time that the Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union (ZTTU) introduced the para division at the Zim Open and Vongai Makwenjere is the inaugural winner in the open women division.
Sponsors for the competition include Chakaz, Divaris Makaharis School, Nashenic Freight Services, Huatai Batteries, Old Mutual and Devine International Travel.
Results
Men Open
- Tinotenda Fambira
- Vikram Singh
- Brian Chamboko
- Mlungisi Moyo
Women Open
- Ashley Dlamini
- Vimbai Makuvaza
- Isheanesu Siringwani
- Liberty Muyengwa
Under-21 Men
- Breate Mbizi,
- Aiden Mabaudi
- Trust Madoro
- Emmanuel Muzeza
Under -21 Ladies
- Makanaka Muriravanhu,
- Kuzivakwashe Chidhakwa
- Elizabeth Seyitini
- Zvanaka Gova
Under-15 Boys
- Trust Madoro,
- Emmanuel Muzeza,
- Tapiwa Dzangara
Under-15 Girls
- Naama Boterere
- Liu Chuhan
- Ruvarashe Chasakwa
Under-12 Boys
- Kundai Goremusandu,
- Tamutenda Mugadza,
- Tamukanashe Kafikira,
- Tanatswanashe Ganyekanye
Under -12 Girls
- Tawananyasha Chirovamavi
- Victoria Aaron
Under- 10 Boys
- Kundai Goremusandu
- Kudakwashe Madoro
Under-10
- Talia Mahachi