Rui is alive and kicking and playing mahjong
- Details
- Created on Saturday, 09 July 2011 10:10
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 November 2012 18:00
- Written by Martin Rep
(Update: Rui wins his first table)
MESTRE - Finally, Friday at six P.M., he arrived: looking very stressed, sweating all over. Rui Manuel Machado from Portugal, the player the organizers of the OEMC2011 at Mestre had been waiting for so long.
It was all a misunderstanding, he claimed: he thought the tournament, which now was about to finish its first day, was not due until Saturday.
After ample discussion, the Organizing Committee decided to let him play the remaining two days of the championship. But, since he missed the first four rounds, he has to start with zero points and he will not get the score of his substitute player Renato Tiengo.
Rui was very grateful he could play. “I love mahjong, and it is great to be here, being able to compete.”
Four points
In this fifth round - his first - he won his table, so he won four table points. This means that, in the general ranking, he is already listed above his countrywoman Paula Rijnders-Pereira Gomes, who is in the same Dutch/Portuguese 'DuPo' team.
Maybe not for the OEMC referees, but Mahjong News sure needs to do some investigation.
I don't know why Rui Manuel Machado and Ombretta Tassinari didn't show up, and it seems the article's author didn't know either.
It's unbelievable that a newspaper shows only one point of view without the opinions of the concerned parties, while lacking to present essential fact like why did the players have not shown up.
Excuse me Adrie if I seem aggressive, I understand your griefs, but it looks like you didn't know what you're talking about.
As I said on the first morning, I had come to win, and I did. I was very strong, because I wanted to win for my country, for my association and for my club. I really felt the love from everybody, and that helped me a lot!
It was lovely to play with you all!
Thank you!
Thanks to the Organizing Committee for a great and well planned tournament.
Last of all: Thanks to all of the players, for respecting the referees and making it a joyful experience to judge.