The national men's singles crown changed hands for the second time this year when former Caribbean king Sydney Christophe regained the title by defeating defending champion Godfrey Munroe in four straight games as the Sprite championships climaxed at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday afternoon.

Christophe had lost in January this year to Munroe who had broken Christophe's record streak of being unbeaten in a national championships since 1983.

But, the diminutive southpaw showed that he was not past his best with an efficient display that saw him carting off the first prize of $15,000 and a trophy.

"I didn't expect it. I tried to play my best and was able to get into my stride early," Christophe said adding that he wanted to thank his supporters.

Munroe on the other hand said:" I made a few tactical errors and played a bit too fast. The new rule change makes it difficult to come back in matches," said Munroe who trailed 0-8 in the opening game.

He, however promised to do better next time.

The men's final never lived up to their previous encounter probably because of the shorter version of the game which is played to 11 points under the new rules of the International Table tennis federation (ITTF).

In the opening game Christophe raced to a 8-0 lead but Munroe came back to 8-5 before Christophe closed out the first game.

It was a similar situation in the second game Christope racing out the blocks to a 4-1 lead and despite two crisp backhand and forehand loops from Munroe, Christophe won the second game 11-5.

It seemed as if Munroe was finding his rhythm in the third game and he matched Christophe point for point until 4-all when a bit of lose play crept back into his game and he lost 9-11.

In the final game Munroe squandered a 5-2 lead allowing Christophe to level the scores at 5 before running out triumphantly with an 11-6 score.

Earlier the fast rising matthew Khan had created the upset of the tournament by eliminating number three seed Dennis France 3-0 in the quarter finals before bowing out to Christophe 4-2 in the semi-finals.

Robert Bostwick, returning from self imposed exile conjured up some tricky services to defeat Paul Meusa and reach the last four before losing in straight games to Munroe.

A new women's champion was crowned in Berbican Vida Moore who prevailed over nemesis Jody Ann Blake. Moore beat Blake 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 in the women's final after triumphing over the same opponent in an epic encounter in the girls under-20 final. After dropping the first two games 6-11, 11-13, Moore stormed back to win the next three 11-7, 11-5 and 12-10.

Khan proved to be the most improved player of the tournament by carting off the under-20 boys singles crown with an 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 win over Jonathan Sankar.

Sankar captured the boys under-17 singles crown by edging Raymond Baksh 5-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10 while Blake defeated Moore 12-10, 13-11, 5-11, 11-9 in the girls under-17 final.

Zach Gonsalves won the Cadet under-14 boys title by defeating Adam Alves 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 while Michelle John defeated Trenace Lowe in the cadet under-14 girls final 11-7, 11-2, 12-10.

The Cadet under-12 boys final was won by Tristan Belle who defeated Remy Rodrigues 11-4, 11-3, 6-11, 11-2, 13-11 and the girls title by John who again defeated Lowe 11-5, 11-7, 11-1.

Steven Seepersaud defeated Sarlos Oxford to win the Pee Wee under-10 boys title 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9 while Tiffany Blair was the lone entry on the distaff side.

The men's over 40 final was won by Michael Blake over Xenophen Goliath.

In the men's doubles, France and Khan upset defending champions Munroe and Christophe 11-9, 13-11, 11-9 while Moore/Blake won from Desiree Lancaster/John 11-8, 13-11, 11-5.

Christophe/Moore defeated France/Blake 11-2, 11-8, 11-5 in the mixed doubles final while Blake and Michael Waithe defeated Christopher Franklyn and Moore 11-8, 9-11, 4-11,11-6, 11-7 in the junior mixed doubles final.

The boys doubles final was won by Seon Roberts and Shaka Forde who defeated Tristan Gaime and Conan Belle upset winners over top seeds Franklyn and Waithe.

The championships was sponsored by Banks DIH and over $135,000 in prize money was presented to the winners. On hand to make the presentation were Banks DIH representatives Ian Hercules PRO, Brian Choo-Hen Soft Drinks Products manager and Raphael Wynter Malts Products manager.