Member Associations | 2 Mar 2024

Maria XIAO and Rafael De Las HERAS Win National Titles in Tarragona

María XIAO and Rafael De Las HERAS have claimed victory at the Absolute Spanish Table Tennis Championship, held at the Palau d'Esports Catalunya in Tarragona.

For Rafael De Las HERAS, it marks his first national title, a moment he celebrated by looking up to the sky, dedicating the win to a fundamental figure in his life who introduced him to the world of table tennis.

XIAO'S triumph marks her fourth overall title, solidifying her status as a dominant figure in the national sport. This victory adds to her previous wins in 2014, 2015, and 2016 consecutively.

UCAM Cartagena TM player XIAO demonstrated her superiority throughout the 79th edition of the championship, which was presided over by Carlos BRULL, president of the Tourist Board of the Provincial Council of Tarragona; Isabel MASCARÓ, 5th deputy mayor; RFETM president Miguel Ángel MACHADO; and RFETM events director Daniel VALERO. These officials presented the awards to the winners, finalists, and semi-finalists.

In the final, XIAO faced off against the young María BERZOSA, who reached her first final in the Spanish Absolute Championship after a year of notable achievements, including representing the Spanish senior team in European and world competitions. However, XIAO emerged victorious with a resounding 4-0 win, reaffirming her dominance in the championship.

De Las HERAS staged a comeback in the final against Carlos FRANCO. After losing the first set 9-11, De Las HERAS rallied to win the next two sets 11-8 and 11-9, taking the lead. Franco claimed the fourth game 6-11, leveling the final at 2-2. Ultimately, De Las HERAS triumphed with scores of 11-3 and 11-6, lifting his arms to the sky, covering his face with a towel, and celebrating with his family—a moment marking the most significant victory of his career.

In the women's doubles event, the pair of Marija GALONJA and Natalya PROSVIRNINA secured their first victory, overcoming their semifinal elimination in the individual competition. GALONJA and PROSVIRNINA defeated the Vic TT pair MOSCOSO/COLL 3-2. The defending champions CRISTÓBAL/SASTRE settled for bronze along with MIRAMONTES/RAMÍREZ.

On the men's side, the duo of Álvaro GAINZA and Juan PÉREZ clinched their first doubles title, defeating Miguel Ángel VILCHEZ and Carlos FRANCO 3-0. Semifinalists VILARDELL/PONS and NUÑEZ/LILLO completed the podium.

Additionally, the mixed doubles title went to the duo of Jana RIERA and Juan PÉREZ, securing their first victory by defeating Albert VILARDELL and Silvia COLL 3-1 in the final. The bronze medalists were the pair of Iker MARTÍNEZ and Ángela RODRÍGUEZ, as well as María BERZOSA and Daniel BERZOSA.