Daniel Kalu Amogu and Marleen Spaans emerged as winners in the Mixed Double Plate of the Adult Mixed Double Tournament organised by the Panaga Club Tennis Section.
Held for over a week since September 15, the tournament saw 42 teams competing in a round-robin before advancing into three divisions: Mixed Double Championship, Mixed Double Trophy, and Mixed Double Plate.
Daniel said, “I was busy for some time and could not practice with Marleen, and it was only until the day of the tournament that we had some practice.”
While the lack of preparation had led to them losing some of the initial matches during the round-robin, Marleen recalled how they managed to bond and work together as a team.
“In addition to being physically fit, mentality plays an important role in tennis and during the match, we kept a clear vision and goal, but we came into this tournament to have fun and play our best.”
Daniel and Marleen will also be leaving the Sultanate.
Daniel shared, “I started playing in tennis tournaments in Panaga, and while I was placed second in last year’s tournament, having the honour of being the winner of one of the tournaments brings me joy and closes out my Brunei saga with a bang.”
Marleen also shared the same sentiment in having the support of many like-minded tennis players at the club and beyond.
Despite this being the final match that they play in Brunei, the pair expressed interest in continuing to play tennis in the future.
With the final matches for each of the divisions played on Friday, Daniel and Marleen went up against Jamie Sherwin and Angela Sherwin.
Meanwhile, the finals of the Mixed Double Trophy saw Nico Limosinero and Raiza Acierto winning their match against Luis Miguel Ochoa and Qi Wu.
For the Mixed Double Championship, Aiman Abdullah and Lavina Manacap was placed first in the match against Ed Lariosa and Eunice Lo.
Coaches Edward Lariosa, Nic Fernandez, and Edmund Sumping presented the trophies and medals during the closing ceremony at Kenyalang Cafe. – Daniel Lim