Photo – Dhavid Normando/FVimagem/CBTM
This Tuesday (26), the group stage of the Para Open table tennis took place in Poland. Sophia Kelmer was present representing Brazil, and won three victories (3/0, 3/1 and 3/0) to place first in Group 2. This way, the 16-year-old girl is classified for the semi-finals of the competition .
Sophia Kelmer is the five-time Brazilian champion, and current number 5 in the adult world ranking (Class 8), in addition to being second in the under-23 ranking. Thus, she played in the initial three rounds of the group stage, and managed to win them all. In the first match, Sophia faced German Nina Reck, and won comfortably by 3 sets to 0, with partials of 11/8, 11/5 and 11/7.
In the second confrontation of the day, against the Japanese Yuri Tomono, the match was more competitive. Despite a great start, with two sets won by 11/7 and 11/3, the Brazilian ended up finding it difficult to close the game. However, even after losing the third set by 11/8, Sophia managed to complete the victory in the fourth set in the tier break by 12/10. Finally, in the last match of the day, the Brazilian table tennis player achieved another dominant victory – now over the Italian Elena Elli. Triumph 3-0, with splits of 11/8, 11/6 and 11/8.
+ FOLLOW OTD ON YOUTUBE, TWITTERINSTAGRAM, TIK TOK AND FACEBOOK
Next phase
Ranked first in the group stage, Sophia is now competing in the semi-finals of the Polish Para Open. Her opponent will be the Dutch Frederique Van Hoof, winner of the silver medal at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games with the Dutch team. The match takes place tomorrow (27th), Wednesday, and is worth a place in the final of the tournament.
To follow the matches and results of the tournament, visit the official Polish Para Open page.
25 years old from São Paulo. Graduating in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Passionate about sports.
