Humacao – Puerto Rico has become in recent years a seedbed of prospects in the sport of table tennis that stand out in various fields.
Of the group stands out the utuadoreña Adriana Díazwhich currently occupies the 15th position of the world ranking of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and has been the first and only Puerto Rican player to be in the 'Top 10 ′ female.
They are also Steven Joel Moreno y Enrique Yezé Ríoswho made history in 2022 when they occupied the first two positions of the world ranking in the category of 13 years or less.
Both continue active and remain among the first 25 in the U-17 and among the first 55 in the U-19.
In fact, Ríos comes from proclaiming champion in the WTT Youth Contender Humacao 2025 -What was carried out from March 26 to 29 at the Marcelo Trujillo Panisse Coliseum in the U-17 division and runner-up in the U-19.
For his part, Moreno could not compete in that fair due to an injury.
Among the stars that are on the rise are Brianna Rodríguez y Owen Shemeshwho dawned on Tuesday as the mixed number one couple in the world in the U-13 category of the ITTF, after climbing two positions with respect to the previous list.
The couple conquered the runner-up of mixed double U-15 in Humacao at 3-0 in the final against the pair composed of Jacob Huangfrom Australia, and Jen-Yuehof china tapes.
Shemesh also was runner-up in U-13 male and Rodríguez was third in that same division.
The 12 -year -old players belong to the Mets Club of Guaynabo, where they train under the tutelage of Edgard de Jesús, who stressed that adolescents are “very committed and disciplined.”
But before devoting themselves to table tennis, both athletes had practiced other sports.
In the case of Rodríguez, he tested in field tennis, volleyball and athletics. Shemesh, on the other hand, had practiced baseball, football and swimming.
“I don't know, I just liked it, and I kept going to the practices when they told my dad”Rodríguez said when asked how his beginnings were as a tennisist.
“I was in a sports camp near where I train, and since it was sport, because I went more to table tennis and I liked it and every time I liked it more,” Rodriguez added.
Shemesh, son of Israeli parents, said that his approach was given during a summer in which he visited an uncle in the state of Florida.
“My uncle had a table at home and started playing a little with him and then liked. Then I returned to Puerto Rico and played for the club, and kept practicing, practicing and started professional after”, Said the young man, who stood out from among the competitors of the tournament in Humacao for his style hairstyle mohawk painted white.
Teamwork
Rodríguez said that the best thing they have when they play together is that they work as a team. In addition, they have developed a language to communicate during the matches.
“The best thing is that we work hard. We talk a lot and help us be better. Instead of fighting, because we support ourselves”The player said.
“I do one thing to make her better and she does one thing to do better to me. And there we work as a team,” Shememeh added by indicating that there are codes with the use of the fingers to plan the plays.
Frequent travelers
Both acknowledged that traveling is difficult for them and shared that sometimes they miss the family. However, they know that it is part of growth as athletes.
In fact, Rodríguez declared that he studies under the system homeschooling Due to your prolonged trips to compete. Shemesh said he receives tasks to do in his school library.
“It's very difficult (travel). I don't know, I miss my parents. And if food is bad elsewhere, because Puerto Rico's food is strange,” Rodríguez shared.
“To the last place where I went to training he went to Portugal, and my mother went with me because on other trips I have gone alone and it did not go so well because she was not with me and the training is strong,” said Shemesh.
“When my mother is with me, I can talk to her about all things. She helps me mentally. She is a psychologist and helps me for that,” said Shemesh.
Leadings and board games
Like the preteens, Rodríguez and Shemesh enjoy doing very common activities for their age when they are not in competition.
“I like to read. I don't do this anymore because I am in table tennis, but before I liked to make necklaces, bracelets and screens,” said Rodríguez
“I like playing board games with my family. I also like basketball and go to the pool,” Shemesh articulated. “Now I don't have so much time, but I like to go on vacation with my family,” he said.
