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The Colorado Springs Open
O'Neill attributes speed, risky plays
By Tim Mimick/Gazette Telegraph
With little wasted motion and even less emotion, Sean O'Neill plays - and wins at - table tennis.
The 6-foot, 150-pound O'Neill says he's too busy concentrating on the next point, too concerned about what "my opponent six or seven feet away is doing to raise my fist to cheer. You only have so much energy."
O'Neill avoids lengthy patty-cake exchanges not only to conserve energy, but also to create easier opportunities for the high-percentage kill.
He proved that Saturday and Sunday during the Colorado Springs Open at Olympic Sports Center. The McLean, Va., native, who attends the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs, claimed the open-division title Sunday night with a 21-19, 21-15, 21-19 win over Dhiren Narotam. Earlier Sunday, they collaborated to take first place in open doubles over Gene Lonnon and Ty Hoff, 21-8, 22-20.
Add those gold-and-wood plaques to O'Neill's collection that includes a first-place trophy in the 1985 U.S. Nationals, three Pan American Games silver medals, and four U.S. Olympic Festival gold medals.
"My game is built on speed," said O'Neill, 20. "Especially at this tournament, my speed helps me. When I play internationally, that's how I win my points; faster than the opponent. Usually my style is to put them on the defensive off the serve and then just start attacking until the point is over."
Ever since his father, Patrick, a national under-age-15 champion years ago, taught him the game, O'Neill has been aggressive. From his first competition at age 8, he has been altering the "Speed kills" bromide to "Speed kills opponents".
When he returned to train full-time at the Olympic Training Center in August after a two-month visit earlier this year, the United States Table Tennis Association coaches attempted to refine his style.
"Probably the thing that gets me in the most trouble, which is my strength as well, is my risk-taking ability," he said. "I love taking risks. Sometimes it hurts you, but I figure you've got to go for it. The other guy might be thinking the same thing and whoever goes for it first has the advantage.
"The coaches have showed different techniques of making each shot safer, but at the same time it's still attacking. But that's what it comes down to: Who's willing to take a risk?"
Open Singles: Sean O'Neill def. Dhiren Narotam 21-19, 21-15, 21-19.
Women's Singles: Lisa Gee def. Li Ai 21-14, 22-20, 19-21, 21-18.
A Singles: Ty Hoff def. Todd Sweeris 21-13, 16-21, 21-17, 17-21, 21-18.
B Singles: Dennis Gresham def. Bill Roady 21-15, 21-19, 21-17.
C Singles: Richard Haines def. David Rubin 26-24, 14-21, 19-21, 21-19, 21-18.
D Singles: Richard Remington def. Lloyd Layton 21-19, 21-17, 21-18.
E Singles: Jerry Ciesielski def. Steve Peck 21-11, 22-20, 21-19.
Junior Singles: Martin Vostry def. Robby Johnston 21-15, 24-22.
Novice Singles:Huan Tran def. Mark Weller 22-20, 21-19, 21-12.
Senior Singles: Thomas Wintrich def. Randy Kiser 23-21, 21-19, 21-12.
Open Doubles: Dhiren Narotam/Sean O'Neill def. Ty Hoff/Gene Lonnon 21-8, 22-20.
A Doubles: Ardith Lonnon/Karl Schultz def. Thavaj Ananthothai/Martin Vostry 21-18, 21-19.
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