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Final report from the IC Junior Challenge World-wide Finals
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Final report from the IC Junior Challenge World-wide Finals

G'day from Australia,

The finals of the IC Junior Challenge were completed in Adelaide on Saturday with South Africa emerging as the 2012 champions after defeating Germany 5-1 and completing an undefeated week.  In second place were Argentina.

Results of  day 5 as follows:

USA       4        Australia 3   ( USA won on a mixed tie break)

Argentina 5      India  1

South Africa 5  Germany 1  ( Germany conceded final match because of slight injury )

The final placings are as follows:

1. South Africa     2. Argentina    3 Germany     4. USA      5. India     6. Australia

Although our host nation Australia were without a win they were unlucky to lose two matches that had been tied at 3 all on mixed doubles tie breaks.  They were also the youngest team in the competition with all of them still being eligible to play in the next 2013 competition.  If they keep the team together they will be force to be reckoned with. There is no question that they really enjoyed the experience of an IC Junior Challenge and would like to compete again if possible.

At the prize presentation the IC Sportsmanship awards were given to Alex Mannapov of Germany and Lynn Kiro of South Africa who from the reaction when this was announced were worthy recipients of these awards and who we felt had contributed to the week by their personality on and off the court.

Congratulations to South Africa who were a very solid team all round in every way and worthy winners. We have already heard back from their IC President that she is really "Stoked" at the result.

Every team feels they have benefitted enormously from the experience both on and off the court.  As the week has progressed the standard of tennis has improved and the social interaction increased.   The IC motto of " Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean" has been well exhibited and hopefully instilled in these younger players.

Thanks must got to Tennis South Australia and The IC of Australia for hosting what has been a quite exceptional event that the juniors will remember all their life.  Tennis South Australia not only organised the tennis extremely efficiently but also arranged an outstanding social program.  It was a typical efficient and friendly Australian effort that any other host nation would have to go an enormous long way to match.  Adelaide will be one of their fondest tennis memories for years to come. Thanks also to Compass who are our major sponsor and have made this event possible for so many young rising tennis players from around the world. Thanks also to all the IC's around the world who have staged regional events and sent teams to them.

The juniors are now in Melbourne and looking forward to some more relaxed tennis at the famous Kooyong tennis club and to visiting The Australian Open.

It has been a great experience for everyone and many new tennis friendships made.

Kit Spencer

Click here to download the finals tableau



The winners South Africa.   



The runners up Argentina.  




Sportsmanship winner Lynn Kiro with a disability athlete. 



Sportsmanship winner Alex Mannapov getting his award fro Bill Cosey (Tennis S.a President) and Kit Spencer ( IC). 




The trophy table.

 

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