21 Apr 2014

Smash Maniacs table tennis club dominated all the major categories of the Gaborone open 2014 Easter special tournament held at Botswana College of Agriculture over the weekend (April 19-20).

The duo, Boitshwarelo Butale and Lovi Chilisa, started the winning spree on Saturday in the women’s doubles category. They edged past Tumelo Raseatlholo and Oabona Raditloko of Dithubaruba.

As if that was not enough, Tshepo Modisane and Matshidiso Osi from the same club won the mixed doubles category after defeating Thobo Matlhatsi and Tshepiso Rebatenne of BDF.

In the mens’double category, Smash maniacs completed their third win when Tiro Leshomo and Kola Modisathebe beat their club mates Bonolo Mabote and Joseph Kgatlampane.

On Sunday April 20, everyone was looking forward to an individual award. In the boys’ under 18 singles category Bakang Maloka and Peo Thebe who just returned from Egypt met in a tough final.

Thebe reached the final after a slight 3-2 win over Larona Morapedi who was a force to reckon with. Thebe finally won the category by 3-1.

In the girls under 18 singles categories, it was rather an easy final as Rapelang Raditswane beat Oratile Kedisaletse to emerge as a winner. In the women’s singles category, Butale of Maniacs managed to beat her opponent Namibo Mbulawa 3-1.

All eyes were set on the mouth watering men’s singles category which saw Botswana’s number on, Bonolo Mabote featuring against the consistent Chinese Yang Baosheng.

Baosheng came to the final after he beat Mcdonald Qualinge 3-2 in the semi-finals. Mabote on the other side had an easy semi-final match against Thabo Matlhatsi and flawlessly won 3-0.

The two men delivered what was expected of them but Mabote hit hard on the Chinese and beat him 3-0. Baosheng tried to make a comeback in each set but the man from Maniacs was hungry for a trophy.

In an interview, Mabote said he was happy with his performance considering his recent struggle in keeping up with his training.

“I came from number 11 to the first spot now and winning this tournament gives me courage to move forward,” he said.

In the end, Smash Maniacs Club emerged as the overall winner in a tournament which attracted players from Zimbabwe. Ends