First timer in the ITTF Oceania Para Championships Roy Osborne was in tears of joy after securing first place in the Class 2-5 men’s team event at the Vodafone Arena, Suva yesterday.

Osborne teamed-up with Solomon Cedrick to beat his fellow Fijian team mates in the mixed double men’s event 3-2.

The 30-year-old’s mum Paulini Ledua said that seeing his son participate in table tennis and win for the first time was a heart warming experience.

“I’m so proud of him and I thank God for his guidance because without his blessings and endurance my son wouldn’t have made it this far,” she said.

“Also, I would say that he had been preparing really hard for this competition. It wasn’t an easy journey for our family because we went through a lot of hardships.”

Roy who hails from Lakeba in Lau dedicated his win to all his loved ones especially his nieces and nephews.

FANG WINS

Australia’s Jian Fang won the women’s Oceania Cup title after beating her Australian counterpart Melissa Tapper 4-2 in the ITTF Oceania Championship final.

Fang said it was a great experience playing against her friend as she regarded the last match as the toughest out of the four-day competition. “I have been playing with Melissa for more than three years now and we share a close bond.

“It has been a great experience here in Fiji competing in the Oceania championships.

“Also, I had won the Oceania cup several times and winning yet another title makes me feels great as I enjoy playing table tennis.”

Meanwhile, New Caledonia’s Solen Danger settled for a bronze medal after beating New Zealand’s Natalie Paterson 4-2