Beharry, Alexander, Rambiriche among top performers at Junior Badminton Singles
The National Sports Commission (NSC)-sponsored Junior National Badminton Tournament concluded on Thursday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, with Frank Wadell and Mishka Beharry emerging as winners of the U-19 Boys’ Singles and U-19 Girls’ Singles respectively.
During Thursday’s closing ceremony, Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) Vice President Ayanna Watson, in her closing remarks, thanked the parents, the sponsors, the tournament coordinators, and last but certainly not least the athletes who came out and participated in exciting and competitive matches.
In results from the finals, Joel Rambiriche emerged as the boys’ Under-11 champion, defeating Liam Brumell 21-14, 21-10 in the final. Anjaneysa Godette is the girls’ champion in that age group, after overcoming Riyo Alexander 21-11, 21-7.
Moving up, Ethan Bulkan emerged as the Under-13 boys’ champion following an exciting final against Joel Rambiriche 21-11, 21-8.
Over in the U-15 category, Gabrielle Felix reigned supreme after coming out on top of a thrilling three- set clash with Harshini Muralidharan 17-21, 21-11, 21-9, in the final. The Boys’ U-15 champion, Ruel Rambiriche had an easier path, getting the better of Egan Bulkan 21-8, 21-6, for the top spot.
The first-place finishers in the five categories take a photo opportunity together
Rambiriche, however, was not so fortunate in the U-17 division falling short in the final to Xavio Alexander, who won the nail-biting three-set game 21-15, 18-21, 21-11. Mishka Beharry picked up her first of two titles, getting past Malia Haley 21-4, 21-13, in the girls’ U-17 final.
Beharry later got the better of Leshaunte Berkley 21-6, 21-7 to also claim the Girls’ U-19 championship. In the Boys’ U-19 final, Wadell made Alexander settle for second place, taking the win 21-18, 21-15.
GBA President Emelia Ramdhani, as she hailed the players’ dominating performances over the past few days, announced that Mishka Beharry and Xavio Alexander will be attending the XXXII Yonex Panam Junior Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico from July 13-15, 2024.
The tournament will be followed immediately by a Badminton Camp organised by the Badminton Pan American Confederation (BPAC); the camp will also be in Mexico. The duo will be accompanied by Nkosi Beaton, who will be there for the coach’s experience.
In other upcoming badminton events; the CAREBACO Junior Tournament is slated for Aruba from August 22-25, 2024. There will also be a NSC Doubles Tournament, which will start in the schools and will culminate in a tournament at the National Gymnasium. The doubles tournament, which is slated for October 2024, will also form part of the Badminton Academy and the three phases in the Honourable Minister’s vision and plan.
The Guyana Badminton Association wished to thank the Director of Sports and the National Sports Commission for sponsoring this tournament and for making the facility available.
Complete list of winners:
Under-11 Girls’ Singles
1st – Anjaneysa Godette
2nd – Riyo Alexander
3rd – Arianna Bassier
3rd – Emma Ramsaran
Under-11 Boys’ Singles
1st – Joel Rambiriche
2nd – Liam Brumell
3rd – Christopher Harrison
