Benedek OLÁH and Marina DONNER are crowned Finnish champions in the individual table tennis championships held in Ruskeasuo Sports Hall Helsinki.
In the men’s singles final OLÁH beat Alex NAUMI 4-2 (12-10 7-11 11-5 10-12 11-6 11-9) and at the same time captured his 11th individual title.
“At the Finnish championships everyone wants to challenge me and the audience is already waiting for a new champion but the job was well done again ” OLÁH summed up the spirit of the game.
In a tighter match than the final the champion had to face Otto TENNILÄ in the semi-finals where he was tormented for seven full sets.
“My backhand did not work during the whole weekend. The trips to India Singapore and France have not allowed time for a proper training session ” Oláh complained.
In the women’s singles DONNER renewed her championship by beating Aleksandra TITIEVSKAJA 4-3 (11-5 5-11 6-11 4-11 11-6 11-5) in the final match. As well in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles Finnish championship gold medals were strung around DONNER’S neck.
“As the reigning triple champion I perhaps put a little too much pressure on myself. The singles final was my 15th match during this weekend so I was mentally and physically tired. In addition Aleksandra played well. After the fourth set I thought that I just must keep working and not give up ” Donner told.
In the men’s doubles “Pongfinity-duo” Otto TENNILÄ / Miikka O’CONNOR celebrated the gold medal by beating youngsters Alex NAUMI / Sam KHOSRAVI in three games 3-0 (11-9 11-2 11-9).
Finnish Championships 2023 medalists:
Men’s singles: 1. Benedek OLÁH (Seinäjoen Sisu) 2. Alex NAUMI (Kosken Kaiku) 3. Sam KHOSRAVI (Kosken Kaiku) and Otto TENNILÄ (PT 75)
Women’s singles: 1. Marina DONNER (HIK Pingis) 2. Aleksandra TITIEVSKAJA (PT Espoo) 3. Ramona BETZ (Linnan Pingis) and Maria GIRLEA (TIP-70)
Men’s doubles: 1. Otto TENNILÄ / Miikka O’CONNOR (PT 75) 2. Alex NAUMI / Sam KHOSRAVI (Kosken Kaiku) 3. Arttu PIHKALA / Toni SOINE (PT Espoo) and Johan PETTERSSON (HIK Pingis) / Manu KARJALAINEN (Wega)
Women’s doubles: 1. Marina donner (HIK Pingis) / Maria GIRLEA (TIP-70) 2. Ramona BETZ (Linnan Pingis) / Aleksandra TITIEVSKAJA (PT Espoo) 3. Ella kellow (OPT-86) / Mia Kellow (TIP -70) and Oksana RUOTSALAINEN / Anne STENBERG (PT 75)
Mixed doubles: 1. Marina DONNER / Johan PETTERSSON (HIK Pingis) 2. Maria GIRLEA (TIP-70) / Aleksi RÄSÄNEN (PT Espoo) 3. Jannika OKSANEN / Otto TENNILÄ (PT 75) and Ramona BETZ (Linnan Pingis) / Samuli SOINE (TIP-70)
