The applause came after the national anthem had been played and Aldo de León, the President of the Guatemala Table Tennis Federation had welcomed all to the Central American country.

“For the Guatemala Table Tennis Federation and its Executive Committee, it is an honor to welcome the Latin American teams, I want to thank our highest authorities, the Guatemala Sports Federation, the Olympic Committee and the Latin American Table Tennis Union for the trust. Also my thanks to Raise for the new brand of table tennis balls which will be used; enjoy and play at your best level.” Aldo de León

Positive words, from Aldo de León; Juan Vila, President of the Latin American Table Tennis Union responded, stressing the need to promote high level competitions.

“On behalf of the Latin American Table Tennis Union, we thank the Guatemala Table Tennis Federation for taking on the organization of this Latin American Senior Championships, the most important event on our calendar; there are two places available for the Pan American Senior Championships. I also want to congratulate you for the excellent organization of the qualifying event for the Pan American Games in Lima” Juan Vila

Looking ahead but then to conclude a moment of reflection, a time for thought; Juan Vila rather than asking for the traditional minute’s silence asked for loud applause for Dexter St Luois on behalf of all Latin America.

“Finally, we recognize the absence of one of our greatest players, the great champion Dexter St. Louis, he wrote his story with gold ink, always he will be present in our minds throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.” Juan Vila

Dexter St Louis is sadly missed but his memory continues, in the heart he will be present at the forthcoming Lima 2019 Pan American Games later this year, on Sunday 26th May, his daughter, Rheann Chung, with whom he was inseparable at tournaments, at qualification tournament one day earlier gained the last qualification place.

In itself that deserves a medal, for Rheann to even play in the Guatemala tournament after such a family tragedy took immense character, immense fortitude, the character of Dexter St Louis lives on.