Gold for Bouron amid flurry of medals in Mexico

Lucie Bouron was thrilled to lead off a quintet of GB singles medals with Para Table Tennis gold at the Para Copa Cristina Hoffmann in Mexico.

There was silver for Dan Bullen as well as a trio of bronze medals for Cellan Hall, Martin Perry and Noel Thomas on a glittering day in Cancun, but it was Bouron who grabbed the standout gold in class 2-3.

The 24-year-old won four from four in the round-robin competition, coming from behind against Pan-American champion Edith Sigala Lopez to set up a decider against Japan’s Mayumi Ozawa and wrapping up gold with a routine 3-1 win in assured fashion.

“I’m really pleased to win gold,” she said after claiming what was her second international title.

“I’ve had some good wins along the way and it’s great to see areas I’ve been working on in training being implemented in my matches. I’m hoping to carry this forward now into the team event.”

There was an all-British affair in the semi-final of the men’s class 5, with Bullen getting the better of compatriot Hall, the St Neot native running out a 3-0 victor.

And while he was bested by Maitree Kongruang in the final, there was ultimately a happy ending for both players as a pair of medals were sealed.

“This has been a great experience,” said Bullen.

“Travelling all this way and dealing with the heat. I feel that I’ve had a good tournament so far; I topped my group and then had to play Cellan in the semi.

“It is never easy to play a team mate and it was a good match. In the final I felt that I played really well, and it was a close game.

“I’ve been working hard in training and feel it is starting to pay off and I’m looking forward to playing the team event with Cellan.”

After claiming what was his maiden international medal, Hall added: “It’s been a great experience competing outside Europe for the first time.

“I have learnt a lot on and off the table while playing my singles event. I was really pleased to get through my group and into the semi-final, especially after recently finishing my last physics exam for my degree.

“It was great to compete against my team partner Dan in the semi-final – he was the better player on the day and deserved his place in the final. I’m looking forward to competing with him in the team event now.”

Elsewhere, Perry took third place in the men’s class 6, denied a spot in the final by world number nine Cristian Dettoni, while Thomas replicated the feat in the class 2.

Action culminates on Friday with the team events coming to the fore.

Image credit: British Para TT