T&T's Dennis La Rose start to his campaign to get to the 2020 Paralympic Games got off to a tough start when he ended winless in his four player Men's Singles Class Five group on Thursday's opening day of competition at the Copa Costa Rica 2016 Factor 20 International Table-Tennis Federation Paralympic Tournament in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Playing at the BN Arena, Hatillo Sports City, La Rose was beaten by Brazilian duo, Fabio Carlos Santos (5-11, 9-11, 11-13), and Renato Santos (9-11, 6-11, 3-11), and Japan's Kentaro Doi, 4-11, 5-11, 3-11.
La Rose also competed in the Team events with Brazil's Renato Santos and enjoyed a mix start after their first two matches against Brazilians teams from Eziquiel Babes/Alexandre Macieira/Ecildo De Oliveira which they lost 0-2 before beating aIvanildo De Freitas/Fabio Carlos Santos 2-0 ahead of their match with Costa Ricans, Sebastien Chaves and Freddy Jose Baltodano which they were expected to win for second spot overall.
Following the conclusion of the tournament today, (Sunday), La Rose, 55, will journey to Las Vegas, USA to compete in the Para Table-Tennis US Open from Wednesday.
Last year the T&T player, who is also the coach of local club, Carenage Blasters reached the last-eight of the Para-Pan American Games in Canada.