14 Nov 2022

Tshepiso Rebatenne and Tshenolo Mooketsi are champions of the India75 table tennis tournament held at Botho University on Sunday.

Rebatenne of Nhabe Table Tennis Club emerged the winner in the women category after thrashing Boitshwarelo Butale of Smash Maniacs 3-0 in the final.

In the men’s category, it was player versus coach as Mooketsi fought hard to teach his teammate and coach, Thobo Matlhatsi, a few lessons on composure as he held his nerve to win 3-2. 

The BDF Table Tennis Club members had an interesting and close contest before Mooketsi won the encounter in the deciding set.

In a post-match interview, Rebatenne, who has dominated the women’s category for some time, said the final pitted veterans against each other. “I believe the game was a close contest as I was facing an equally determined and experienced opponent in Butale,” she said.

However, Rebatenne said her toughest match was in the semi-finals where she narrowly defeated Olorato Ramagapu in a five-set thriller. 

 “I was facing a giant of the game who has over the years proved to be my toughest opponent,” she said.

Rebatenne also said her love for the game kept her at the top and she never undermined her opponents.

Despite coming second, Butale was equally delighted by her achievement. 

“I was struggling throughout the tournament,” she said, adding she resorted to her defensive game and attacked less. 

Regardless of the defeat in the final match, Butale was impressed with her overall performance. 

Meanwhile, Mooketsi who was also delighted by his feat, said the tournament was tough as players came prepared and ready to do their best. 

He said the final match was tough although he was facing a well-known opponent.

“We were tied at 2-2 and the winner was determined through a deciding set which was also a close contest. He is my coach and training partner. When we prepare, we focus on our opponents and not on each other. Therefore, whenever we meet the match is always tough and highly contested,” said Mooketsi.

Matlhatsi on one hand could not hide his disappointment after suffering his second consecutive defeat to Mooketsi. 

“It could have gone either way. The most disappointing thing is that I was leading and I allowed him to come back. It a pity that I had lost when I believed I was well prepared,” said Matlhatsi.

Rebatenne and Mooketsi walked away with P4 000 each and gold medals while runner-ups received P2 000 and silver medals. Semi-finalists walked away with P750 and bronze medals. 

The mixed doubles were won by Oabona Raditloko and Kola Modisathebe after defeating Rebatenne and Kennete Santudu 3-0.

In the veterans category, William Olyn defeated Welcome Tema 3-0. Winners in the mixed doubles and veterans categories received P1 000 and gold medals while runner-ups settled for P500 and silver medals.

In the girls U-12, Lone Patrick defeated Retlhabile Moyo 3-1 while nine-year-old Reneilwe Lekorwe thrashed his elder opponent, Magosi Tshipo 3-0. The U-12 category players received medals.  

The tournament was sponsored by First Capital Bank with P15 000. ends