08 Mar 2016

Smash Maniacs ladies team clinched the Clash of the Titans Championships title for the third year in a row by beating Nhabe 3-2 in the final played in Gaborone.

The Gaborone based table tennis giants also secured a 3-1 victory against Nhabe in the men’s teams final to become double champions of the tournament they have hosted for the past three seasons.  

The Maniacs ladies team has dominated the competition since its inception, but they were forced to sweat for victory by the youthful Nhabe side led by Tshepiso Rebatenne.

The tense final started with Boitshwarelo Butale edging past Oratile Kedisaletse with a narrow 3-2 score to give Maniacs an early advantage. But Nhabe leveled the tie when Rebatenne convincingly defeated Matshidiso Osi 3-0 in the second match.

Phemelo Gaborapelwe restored Maniacs lead by beating Namibo Mbulawa 3-1 in the third match, but Rebatenne leveled the tie at 2-2 after beating Butale 3-2. However, the experienced Osi sealed victory for Maniacs by trouncing the young Kedisaletse 3-0 in the deciding match.

Maniacs had it easier in the men’s final where Joseph Kgatlampane set them on the way to a 3-1 victory to dethrone Nhabe who were the men’s defending champions.  Maniacs went home with floating trophies and P2 000 cash prize for winning the team events while Nhabe got P1 000. 

Maniacs reached the final of the men’s competition by beating their B team 3-1 in the semifinals while Nhabe trounced BDF 3-1 to reach the final. The men’s competition had eight teams while the ladies competition had two teams only.

Smash Maniacs coach Tshepo Modisane viewed their win over Nhabe in the men’s final as a sweet revenge.  “We came well prepared. We worked hard, tirelessly at training for this tournament after losing to them last year. We were determined to restore our pride and we did not want to leave anything to chance,” he said. 

Smash Maniacs continued their winning trail in the ladies singles event where Boitshwarelo Butale won the title after defeating Tshepiso Rebatenne 3-1 in the final to go home with P1 000 prize money and a trophy. Terence Mathole from South Africa won the men’s singles event by beating Bakang Maloka of Moshupa Spinners 3-1 in the final. Mathole also won the under-21 boys title after Maloka, while the under-21 girls title was won by Oratile Kedisaletse. Olorato Ramagapu came in second position.

Smash Maniacs public relations officer Tefo Motsumi said the event was a success and they were happy with the turn out by table tennis players. He however said they were disappointed with the low number of women.   

Serole & Partners and Dipworth companies sponsored the competition to the tune of P20 000. ENDS