HARARE, Aug. 19 (NewsDay Live) — Zimbabwe’s table tennis team signed off their debut at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships with an eight-match winning streak, the country’s best performance in the sport at the event, according to the Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union (ZTTU).
Zimbabwe finished 18th overall at the 22nd edition of the championships in New Delhi, India, despite being drawn in a tough group alongside eventual champions India and runners-up Malaysia.
The men’s team capped their campaign with a 3-0 victory over the Falkland Islands, with Tapiwa Musarurwa, Vikram Singh and Brian Chamboko producing strong performances.
Chamboko recorded a notable 11-0 game during the tournament, while Singh forced India to call a timeout after scoring eight points in a single game against the hosts.
The women’s doubles pairing of Vongai Zhwakim and Naama Boterere also registered competitive single-game scores against higher-ranked opponents.
ZTTU credited head coach Liping Wang of China for much of the team’s progress, saying he studied opponents’ footage and observed training sessions to develop match-specific tactics.
Wang’s interventions also proved decisive. During one match, Tatenda Mumvuma surrendered a lead before Wang called a timeout and adjusted his tactics. Mumvuma responded by winning the game 11-7.
“This team showed heart. We studied, we prepared, and the players executed under pressure. An eight-match winning run on our Commonwealth debut proves Zimbabwe belongs on this stage,” Wang told NewsDay Sport.
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The campaign was also marked by players competing through injury and illness. Captain Singh played with a knee injury, Mumvuma battled a severe cold, while Zhwakim competed with a fever.
ZTTU president Noah Ferenando was also credited with securing Zimbabwe’s qualification despite having recently undergone surgery.
“To qualify and then record our best result ever at Commonwealth level, right after surgery, shows what belief can do,” Ferenando said.
International referee Robin Chigede officiated several matches daily during the championships.
The tournament represented the highest-level international competition Wang has led Zimbabwe’s men’s and women’s national teams at, according to ZTTU.
