El Puerto de Santa María: A Weekend of Table Tennis Showcases Rising Talent and Established Champions
El Puerto de Santa María vibrated with the energy of table tennis this weekend, hosting the XXXVIII Trophy City of El Puerto de Tennis de Mesa at the IES Mar de Cádiz facilities. The tournament, organized by the Portuense table tennis club, once again proved its significance as a key event in the Andalusian preseason, attracting both seasoned national and international players alongside promising young athletes.
This yearS competition saw a notable shift with the introduction of a team format in the absolute category, leading to exciting doubles matches. The event drew participation from clubs across Western Andalusia, including a strong contingent from Portugal’s SLU Serpense. A key focus remained on developing the sport’s future, with dedicated competitions for base categories, even including a first official tournament experience for pre-benjamin players, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship.
The Absolute team category culminated in a victory for CTM Portuense, spearheaded by the notable performance of brothers Fran and Pablo Castillo. They secured the championship title after a hard-fought final. The runner-up position was claimed by SLU Serpense, represented by Luis Cuiça and Víctor Díaz, who travelled from Portugal for the event. The tournament’s semifinals featured strong performances from CTM Bay of Cádiz and the second team from CTM Portuense.
Success in the Base categories was spread across several clubs. Javier Sánchez (CTM Tartessos de Sanlúcar) and Elisa Elías (RC Labradores de Sevilla) emerged victorious in the Children’s category. In the Benjamines division, Carlos Elías (RC Labradores de Sevilla) and Ainhoa Márquez (CTM Portuense) took home the trophies. The youngest competitors, in the Prebenjamin category, saw Fernando Barberá (The English centre) and Carlota Cabario (CTM Portuense) crowned champions.
The Sports Council extended its congratulations to CTM Portuense, recognizing their “constant effort in the promotion of table tennis and in the promotion of values such as overcoming, discipline and teamwork amongst Portuense Youth.” The City Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting base sport and organizations like CTM Portuense, which contribute significantly to the city’s sporting and social fabric.
The Mayor also expressed gratitude to the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz, alongside all sponsors and collaborators, for their essential support in ensuring the continued success of this annual trophy. This collaborative effort is vital for maintaining the tradition of the event and fostering the growth of table tennis within the city, from grassroots to elite levels.
This edition of the Trophy City of El Puerto de Tennis de Mesa successfully launched the official table tennis season, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the local sports calendar.