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By Colin Leon Guerrero

12 and under competitor Youngjin Cheon. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

On the day after Christmas when most kids are recovering from the food that was eaten, some of Guam’s top tennis players are participating in the annual Junior Tennis Championships held by the Tennis Academy Of Guam. The 5-day event, which includes athletes from ages 12-18, runs from December 26th-30th. This is a chance for these young athletes to compete and test their skills amongst their peers. Although the weather on Wednesday afternoon was up and down, the tournament managed to go on.

“These tournaments provide the kids who practice on a regular basis, a chance to showcase their talents on a competitive level,” said Director Joe Cepeda, which is the goal of these tournaments and the Academy in general. “If the kids just train and never test each other, it will be difficult for them to ascend on a higher level.” It is also a way to promote tennis on the island and to nurture the kids into respectable athletes and individuals.

When asked about future plans, he announced that in 2013 there will be six events that are recognized by the USTA (United States Tennis Association) which coincides with the high school season that starts next month.

As for the tournament itself, audiences can expect to see some exhilarating matches for the next five days at the Sheraton Hotel Tennis Courts. Matches start as early as 10 A.M. until 4 P.M.

DAY ONE RESULTS

Boys’ 12 Singles Challenger (Quarterfinal Round)
Leng, Andrew def. Schrader, Marcus 8-1
Talai, Tyler def. Cheon, Youngjin 8-0

Boys’ 12 Singles Open (Quarterfinal Round)
Tan, Gabriel def. Abrams, Aaron 10-2

Boys’ 14 Singles Challenger (Round Robin)
Zhu, Kevin def. Cheon, Andy 8-1
Tan, Josh def. Cheon, Andy 8-2

Boys’ 14 Singles Open (Quarterfinal Round)
Tuncap, Brian (2) def. Tan, Gabriel 10-1
Chung, Andrew (1) def. CALDWELL, MASON 10-4
Camacho, Camden def. Lee, Gavin Wo (ill)
Chung, Edward def. John, David Wo (ill)

Boys’ 16 Singles Challenger (Round Robin)
Tan, Josh def. Mendiola, Joshua 9-7

Boys’ 18 Singles Open (Quarterfinal Round)
John, Anthony def. Solivio, Juancho 10-2
Tuncap, Brian def. Chan, Alfred (1) 10-7
Park, Tom def. Tuncap, Victor 10-2
Cepeda, Joshua (2) def. Buensuceso, Jonah Def (ns)

Girls’ 12 Singles Open (Round Robin)
Yamasawa, Nozomi def. Sachdev, Anika 10-3

Girls’ 16 Singles Open (Quarterfinal Round)
Bristol, Alyssa def. Lansing, Pualani 10-3
Abrams, Kanasta def. San Nicolas, Margaux 10-8

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

18 and under competitor Victor Tuncap. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

18 and under competitor Anthony Chaco. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

12 and under competitor Tyler Talai. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

18 and under competitor Juancho Solivio. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

18 and under competitor Anthony Chaco. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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