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Whyte dominates U-13, U-15 girls at TT Champs
August 14, 2023
Keeara Whyte displayed dominant form at the National Junior and Senior Table Tennis Championships at the National Indoor Sports Centre Saturday, winning the girls' under-13 and under-15 titles.
The 12-year-old Whyte showed her class to overpower Kira Scott 11-6, 11-2, 11-9 for the under-13 title before defeating Kareca Peterkin 11-6, 12-10, 11-9 in the under-15 final.
Whyte, however, stated that she had difficulties in her journey to the championships.
"I wouldn't rate it as a 10, as I wasn't practising as I used to because of some circumstances, and I actually started to practise this week. However, I want to continue my journey in table tennis, and I like how I play," she stated.
In the final of the girls' under-15 championships, Peterkin placed Whyte under pressure, and the latter agreed that the final was more difficult to overcome, as she continues to idolise her favourite player, Japanese star Mima Ito.
"The under-15 final was harder because she (Peterkin) was more competitive than in the under-13. It was a difficult game, but I coped with her. I idolise this Japanese player, Mima Ito, and I want to play just like her, and I'm training to be just like her or even better," the St. Jago High School student shared.
Daniel Davies, who helped guide the young Whyte to the titles, shared that she had a slight rough patch in the qualifying rounds but overcame the hardships.
"She came in with a mindset to win, and that's what she did. She struggled a little getting through the rounds, but as she went along, she got better, so in the final, she eventually came through with the victory.
"She was both mentally and physically ready, and her overall performance at the championships was excellent, and she's going to be a good player," Davies said.
The three-day championships ended yesterday, with the final of seniors.
