Double Gold for Josh
Team Events
More Gold for Stacey in Ostrava:
Kim Daybell, Ashley Facey Thompson and Josh Stacey won gold in the men’s class 10 team event at the Czech Open in Ostrava today, with Fliss Pickard and her Swedish team partner Caisa Stadler taking silver in the women’s class 6-7 event and Craig Allen combining with Barnabas Retter from Hungary to take bronze in men’s class 9.
It was a second gold for both Daybell and Stacey after they had won the men’s class 10 and men’s class 9 singles respectively yesterday.
“It was nice to cap off the tournament with a victory in the team event,” said 26 year old Daybell. “For a number of years it has only been Ash and me and it’s really exciting to have a new member to strengthen our team even further. Ash was carrying a minor injury so couldn’t play and we showed that we can be just as strong no matter what combination we play. Josh is a good young player with an exciting future and I hope we can go on to be successful as a team.”
Less than a year after making his international debut 18 year old Stacey has already shown huge promise for the future.
“The team event was a good experience for me,” said the Welshman. “Ash and Kim will be the team for the next few years so just to be part of the team was good for my confidence. The doubles with Kim was positive – he’s very experienced so it helped me to settle into the matches knowing he was accustomed to being in these situations. Winning gold is a great feeling as it means I’ve had the perfect tournament on paper.”
“The boys played really well,” said Facey Thompson. “Although I couldn’t play I was supporting them all the way and they got the job done.”
Individuals
17 players, including 4 from Wales. headed to Czech Republic to play the Para Open this week.
Josh Stacey has made it through into the Quarterfinals with wins against Tsujimura (JPN), Dinca (ROU) and Cwenar (POL). Josh will take on Konstantyn of Poland today.
Rob Davies and Paul Davies both failed to make it through to the Semi-finals after losing out in their preliminary groups respectively.
Rob lost to Keller 3/1, but beat Eberhardt (ARG) 3/2 and Oszlanczi (HUN) 3/0, which meant 3rd place finish on count-back. Paul, who also finished 3rd in his group, lost to Lavrov (RUS) 3/2 and Major (HUN) 3/1, but beat Barbierik (SVK) 3/0.
Cellan Hall was the other player on show in Ostrava. He lost to World number 12 Brands (BEL), Zelen (ARG) and Romero (ARG).
Full report:
https://www.britishparatabletennis.com/tough-first-day-in-ostrava/