Tuesday, April 5, 2016

First Smashers Challenge Takes Off To A Great Start

The first Smashers Challenge Tournament of 2016 took place at its traditional home, Sadili Oval in Langata, Nairobi, with 18 juniors braving the cold and wet conditions to have what was a good beginning of the year’s tennis of the Tennis Africa Cup. Little Emmi Imani proved her talent by breaking through to the semi-finals in the mixed 12's, before losing to top ranked boy, Eddy Ochieng. Evans Otieno dominated the U16, beating all opposition to step onto the winners spot on the podium. Newcomer Alfred Bokea took second place after Ibrahim Mohammed failed to play his match against Alfonse Oduor, thereby losing critical points.



In the 12s: Eddy Ochieng, Emi Imani, Michel Otieno and Andrew Bokea emerged from the group stages to compete in the semi-finals, with Andrew Bokea routing Michael Otieno 4/0/4/0, before dominating over Ochieng 5/3, 4/2 to bag the winner’s points.

The Under 14s was a round robin with close run between Jeremy Kimani and Chevita Okenye, which Okenye eventually won in points.

The Smashers Challenge is a Level B tournament for top juniors in the Tennis Africa Cup (http://www.tennisafrica.net/) ranking and recognized by the Nairobi County Tennis Association. The Smashers Challenge Series, started by Tennis professional, Dr. Liz Odera over 17 years ago to build talent, has helped hone the skills of many juniors, who now live and play in about 14 countries around the world. This year, the tournament series also forms part of the qualification events towards the National Masters, which will take place during the Smashers Challenge up on the 6th – 7th August 2016, at the Karen Country Club. Winners who from the Masters will qualify for the World Finals of The CHAMPIONS BOWL (http://www.champ-bowl.com), a worldwide tournament circuit, to be held in Turkey later this year. 


RESULTS

U12
POOL A
SEMIS
FINALS

1
2
3
4
EMI IMANI

1/4, 1/4
4/2, 5/3
4/2, 1/4, 7/3
E. OCHIENG
ANDREW BOKEA
4/1, 4/1

4/2, 5/3
4/1, 4/0

E. OCHIENG
VICTOR OTIENO
2/4, 3/5
2/4, 3/5

2/4, 1/4

4/1, 4,0
HENRY OTIENO
2/4, 4/1, 3/7
1/4, 0/4
4/2, 4/1

E. IMANI


A. BOKEA
POOL B
M. OTIENO

5/3, 4/2

1
2
3
4


AUSTINE KATIECH

4/1, 4/2
0/4, 0/4
4/0, 4/0

A. BOKEA
EDDY OCHIENG
1/4, 2/4

W/O
4/0, 4/0
A. BOKEA
4/0, 4/0
MICHEAL OTIENO
4/0, 4/0
W/O

4/0, 4/0
PETER KILONZI
0/4, 0/4
0/4, 0/4
0/4, 0/4



U14
POSITION

1
2
3
4
5
JOSEPH BOKEA

1/4, 3/5
1/4, 2/4
**
2/4, 3/5
4
EVANS AMINGA
4/1, 5/3

4/0, 2/4, 5/7
**
4/1, 4/0
3
CHEVITA OKENYE
4/1, 4/2
0/4, 4/2, 7/5

**
1/4, 4/1, 7/4
1
JEREMY KIMANI
**
**
**

**
**
EDWARD ODONGO
4/2, 5/3
4/1, 4/0
4/1, 1/4, 4/7
**

2


U16

1
2
3
4
5
Rank
ALFRED BOKEA

4/1, 4/1
4/2, 4/2
3/5, 2/4
1/4, 3/5
2
ALFONSE ODUOR
1/4, 1/4

0/4,2/4
NOT PLAYED
1/4, 2/4
5
GEORGE KEYA
2/4, 2/4
4/0, 4/2

1/4, 2/4
0/4, 0/4
4
IBRAHIM MOHAMMED
5/3, 4/2
NOT PLAYED
4/1, 4/2

2/4, 3/5
3
EVANS OTIENO
4/1, 5/3
4/1, 4/2
4/0, 4/0
4/2, 5/3

1