KHEITH Rhynne Cruz bagged two medals including a gold in the U19 mixed doubles at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender New York 2025 in Westchester, New York.
Cruz also rose to No. 17 in the youth category, the highest ranking achieved ever by a Filipino player, following the feats that also saw her take the silver medal in the U19 women’s singles of the same event.
Cruz and Australia’s Aditya Sareen defeated the India pair of Sudhanshu Maini and Prisha Goel, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, to capture the mixed doubles crown.
Cruz lost to Misuzu Takeya of Japan, 11-4, 11-13, 11-9, 12-10, in the U19 singles final, but had four wins prior to reaching the championship stage.
The young Filipina paddler swept the group stage by beating Kristal Melendez of Puerto Rico and Kailyn Cruz Rosado of Puerto Rico, Satya Aspathi of the US, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, in the quarterfinals, and another American in Irene Yeoh in the semifinals, 10-12, 11-5, 9-11, 11-1, 11-9.
“Her hardwork has been paying off. We are proud of Kheith for this recent accomplishment and making the country proud once again,” said Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc. president Ting Ledesma.
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