Lewis gets one over on Lewis - Older sibling Grianna beats Tsenaye to Hubert Lawrence Memorial crown

Gianna Lewis had a rare victory over her younger sibling and 2023 national champion Tsenaye Lewis to win the women's segment of the Hubert Lawrence Memorial Table Tennis Tournament at the UWI Bowl on Sunday.

Gianna outplayed her more accomplished sister to win 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-9), and puts her victory on the day down to ‘keeping cool’

"I think it was my composure. Today (Sunday) it was about keeping my cool. It's my sister and it's always like training together. Only it's points this time around.  So it's who was more consistent today (Sunday) and I am happy that's it's me," she commented.

Nevertheless, she pointed out that Tsenaye, who has just completed her first year at Colombia University, was still adjusting to her new life and that she was possibly not at her best.

"She just finished her first year in university, so there was a lot of adjusting for her. So it's good that she actually came to play," she added.

However, Tsenaye believed Gianna was on top of her game throughout the tournament, even dismissing current national women's champion Keeara Whyte in the semi-finals, and deserved to be crowned the winner.

"The ball is round and she is actually training for the CAC games. So she is actually preparing for a big tournament, and I am happy to see how she is executing.

"I would never try to diminish her accomplishment, but I am definitely looking to get back into it and hope to be more consistent. 

"I am very proud to be playing with her and I hope we can continue to keep each other at our best, as we play each other," she said.

The pair called it an honour playing in the tournament named after legendary late journalist and table tennis enthusiast Hubert Lawrence.

"Mr Lawrence was very close to us. Very kind. Very supportive, and I am very happy I was able to honour him with this win," Gianna commented.

Tsenaye recalled fondly. "We play at Barbican sometimes, and I always remember us going to Barbican and he's there sitting and watching us, and he would call us over and give us only two pointers. 

"Just two insights that would help to train and practise better. So we are very grateful to him for his contribution to the sport."

Meanwhile, Azizzi Johnson defeated Logan Royes 3-0 (11-9,11-5,12-10), for the ‘A’ Open title. While Pembroke Hall's Rudolph Sinclair beat the University of the West Indies’ Christopher Lyn 3-1 (11-4,7-11,11-6,12-10), to take the ‘B’ Open title.

Micheal Grant, president of Barbican Terrace Table Tennis Club  — organisers of the tournament — said the event was of a very high standard.

"This tournament, like last year, is a proving ground, and the youngsters are showing they are going to be the next ones.

"The level of play is very high and this tournament appears [as if] it is going to be the premier tournament for the year outside of the National Championship."

Nikita Whyte, growth and strategy manager at title sponsor AnyBet, said it's about building communities. 

"We believe in effort and building communities, and table tennis is a sport that motivates and build communities. Table tennis drives discipline and community-building and we look forward to continuously supporting this (tournament)."

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Caption

B1 (Third) GiannaLewisE20260531IA

Ian Allen/Photographer

B1 (Third) Tsenaye and Gianna Lewis

Contributed

Gianna Lewis (right) and sister Tsenaye Lewis celebrate their one-two finish at the Hubert Lawrencee Memorial Table Tennis Tournament at the University of the West Indies, Mona Bowl on Sunday.