PAPUA New Guinea elite representatives Gaseka Sepa and Geru Lohia are the 2024 singles champions following the conclusion of the XYZ National Table Tennis Championship in Port Moresby.

The three-day tournament hosted by the PNG Table Tennis Federation saw over 100 registered players represent Central and National Capital District in all singles, open and mixed doubles events ranging from juniors, seniors and veterans.

In the singles finals, it was an all elite challenge for four PNG representatives when veteran Gaseka Sepa took on his national team mate Boe Bobby at the Rita Flynn Indoor court.

Sepa had a strong start in the opening set claiming the first set, and took an early lead in the second set when Bobby picked up pace with his performance to score points to win the set.

The third set was an easy win for Sepa scoring a 12-1 to win the final set which saw the final score 2-1 in favor of his performance.

Both athletes were part of the 2023 Team PNG contingent that won Bronze medals in Honiara, Solomon Islands last November.

Meanwhile in the Womens singles Geru Lohia ousted opponent Emily Winnie with a 2-0 win in a quick match to claim the title.

“I have been participating in a lot of national championships since I was 12 years old so this wasn’t my first singles title, but I am grateful I got to prove my performance on the table.”

“This is also a great lead up as I train and prepare to meet requirements for another opportunity to represent PNG at the 2025 Mini Pacific Games in Palau,” Lohia said.

Both Lohia and Winnie were also part of the Team PNG Contingent to Solomon Islands last year.