Saint Lucia’s young and talented table tennis players are making significant strides in the regional and international sports arena with their impressive performances.
One standout player, Shatal Charles, has qualified to compete in the Caribbean Youth Table Tennis Championships. Her exceptional talent was showcased when she won gold in women’s doubles alongside Stuti Kashyap and secured a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event with Leshon Francis.
As the Caribbean’s top Under-13 player, her consistent performances highlight her potential on regional stages, further emphasizing Saint Lucia’s rising presence in youth table tennis.
Recently, Shatal progressed to the semi-finals of the Caribbean Youth Table Tennis Championships, proudly amassing two medals in the table tennis version of Carifta, adding to her accomplishments against competitive teams from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Shatal Charles’ Notable Achievements:
– Women’s Doubles Gold : Partnered with Stuti Kashyap (Antigua) to win gold in women’s doubles at the Caribbean Youth Championships in Santo Domingo.
– Mixed Doubles Bronze:Teamed up with Francis to clinch a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the same championships.
– U-13 Mixed Doubles Gold: Previously won gold in the U-13 Mixed Doubles event at the Caribbean U-11 & U-13 Table Tennis Championships.
– Top Caribbean U-13 Ranking: Recognized as the Caribbean’s top-ranked Under-13 player, securing her spot at the championships.
– Pan American Youth Championship: Demonstrated her skills alongside Leshon Francis, showcasing her regional caliber.
(Photo credit: SLNTTA)
These accomplishments, particularly the gold medal in women’s doubles and consistent medal wins across various events, solidified Shatal’s qualification for the Caribbean Youth Table Tennis Championships and opened opportunities for her to attend training camps in China.
Leshon Francis showcased impressive skills as he advanced to the semi-finals, defeating players from Barbados, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic 3-0. He continued his success with a 3-0 win against the Dominican Republic in the round of 16 and a 3-1 victory in the quarter-finals, securing his second medal at the championships.
Furthermore, both the men’s and women’s table tennis teams from Saint Lucia have qualified for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, which will take place in the Dominican Republic from July 24 to August 8.
Key contributions came from athletes including Manie Eleuthere, Leshon Francis, DeAndre Calderon, Cherese Darcheville, Shatal Charles, and Zariana Anthony. In addition, the under-19 boys’ team has qualified for the ITTF Americas Youth Championships in Guatemala.
In addition, Saint Lucia’s men’s table tennis team, featuring Manie Eleuthere, Leshon Francis, and Kamari Harris, qualified for the Caribbean Youth Table Tennis Championships by finishing third in the ITTF-Americas qualifiers.
Their strong performance also earned them a spot in the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, underscoring the competitive spirit in Saint Lucia’s youth table tennis scene.
With the recent achievements of their six-member squad in both men’s and women’s events, Saint Lucia’s table tennis team continues to build on its success. National stars Azizi Johnson and Gianna Lewis have earned singles spots, while the trio of Manie Eleuthere, Leshon Francis, and Kamari Harris qualified for the Pan American Games through their strong performances.
These accomplishments signal a significant achievement for Saint Lucia, highlighting the growing talent in the sport and increased competitiveness in the region.