GANDIA – In the Spanish town of Gandia, a European Predator Grand Prix for women was played this weekend, and Therese Klompenhouwer has set the way back up again. The Dutch multi-champion triumphed in the tournament with 24 ladies after a difficult period in her career with three lost finals. In the Gandia final, she did not face European and world champion Charlotte Sörensen, but good-old Gülsen Degener, whom she beat by a generous score: 30-15 in 20 innings.
The other finalists were Charlotte Sörensen (loss against Degener) and Karina Jetten (loss against Klompenhouwer). Therese played her best game in the final. The best of the preliminaries came from Sörensen, who beat Marie-Rose Rouffa 25-8 in 18, but even better was Klompenhouwer in the final with 30 in 20 and 1,500.
Therese Klompenhouwer, who lost three titles this season but played a wonderful average in the Dutch premier league (1.438) was especially relieved after the success in the Grand Prix in Gandia. ’’Mostly because I am back after a mentally, also physically difficult period,“” she told. '“I was at my best in the final, I battled in the semi-finals and was super strong mentally.”' That of course, she said, gives a wonderful feeling. ’’I did everything I could this weekend, took my rest well, didn't drink, ate healthy and slept well. That has led to this beautiful result.''
As she indicated, the Dutch woman will now take a few weeks' rest and work on full recovery. Because despite those lost titles, she reckons: '“I have played a world record, been valuable to my teams and been in the final in every women's tournament.”'
The multiple champion has faced quite a bit of criticism after those lost finals. ''Those people don't know what my situation has been like. I'm really genuinely proud of myself that I can end it like that, it feels great.''
Charlotte Sörensen played an up-and-down tournament, winning one game in 18 innings (1.388) and in the quarterfinals against Estela Cardoso 30-10 in 21. In the semi-finals, she was beaten by Gülsen Degener, who made it to the final 30-22 in 30.
The final ranking:
1 Therese Klompenhouwer 12-0.959-6
2 Gülsen Degener 8-0.703-5
3 Charlotte Sörensen 8-0.863-7
4 Karina Jetten 8-0.620-6
5 Guzin Mujde Karakasli 6-0.567-
6 Estela Cardoso 4-0.601-5
7 Magali Declunder 6-0.634-6
8 Steffi Träm 4-0.484-4