The mixed doubles podium (Photo: courtesy of Ina Josepsone )
by Ian Marshall, Editor
Staged in the small village of Iecava on the banks of the Baltic Sea, the host nation’s Povilas Baguzis and Juris Silins, alongside their female counterparts Ina Josepsone and Daina Rocane emerged as the most success players at the recent 2017 Latvia Open Veteran Championships.
A two day tournament, matters were conducted on the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November.
Juris Silins won Men’s Singles 50 to 59 years, Povilas Baguzis secured the Men’s Singles 60 to 69 years’ title; impressively, Juris Silins finished ahead of Lithuania’s Arvydas Ganusauskas and colleague Alexandr Nartov, next in line to Povilas Baguzis came the Lithuanian duo of Sergej Barkar and Bronius Kisunas.
In addition Juris Silins and Povilas Baguzis joined forces to win the Men’s Doubles title, whilst partnering Latvia’s Daina Rocane, Povilas Baguzis secured the Mixed Doubles title; the win achieved at the expense of Juris Silins and Latvian compatriot Lidija Kalnin. Third place finished in the hands of Lithuania’s Valdemaras Lapinskas and Sniegena Lapinske.
Gold for Daina Rocaine in the Mixed Doubles event, it was the same in the Women’s Doubles in partnership with Ina Jozepsone, likewise from Latvia. The duo finished ahead of Lidija Kalnina and Sniegena Lapinske with Latvia’s Vera Gurtajute and Dace Stamere the bronze medallists.
Success for Ina Jozepsone and Daina Rocaine together, there was also success apart.
Ina Jozepsone won Women’s Singles 40 to 49 years finishing ahead of Sniegena Lapinske and Liza Ovanova, like Ina Jozepsone from Latvia; Daina Rocaine secured gold in Women’s Singles 50 to 59 years. Both from Latvia, silver finished in the hands of Vera Gurtajute and bronze in the possession of Lidija Martinkena.
Meanwhile, in the remaining events, Lithuania’s Aidas Apalianskas won Men’s Singles 40 to 49 years, colleague Konstantinas Kuprys won Men’s Singles 70 years and over. Meanwhile, Latvia’s Lidija Kalnina secured the top prize in Women’s Singles 60 to 69 years, also from Latvia, Ludmila Bulaha clinched the Women’s Singles 70 years and over title.
A total of 59 men and 12 women competed in the two day tournament.