Independence badminton tournament serves off with exciting opening day competition

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) officially served off Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary Badminton Tournament on Thursday evening at the National Gymnasium, with a competitive opening day at the start of the country’s Diamond Jubilee Independence celebrations. More than 60 players took part in the tournament, which is being contested across seven categories — Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Under-23 Men’s and Women’s Singles.The tournament, rebranded in honour of Guyana’s 60th Independence anniversary, featured a packed opening schedule with several close contests as players from clubs across the country battled for advancement. Vice President of the GBA, Ayanna Watson, delivered brief remarks during the opening ceremony, highlighting the significance of staging the tournament as part of the national celebrations while reaffirming the association’s commitment to the continued growth and development of badminton in Guyana.The opening night produced a number of high-quality performances, particularly in the recently introduced men’s and women’s singles categories, which generated strong interest among players and spectators. Among the standout performers in the Under-23 Men’s Singles division were Chike Nurse, Gabriel Felix, Hasani Robinson and Ronit Gulchand, all of whom secured straight-set victories in the round-of-32 stage. Mikkel Wong was also pushed in a three-set battle before defeating Musa Adam Hassan 21-10, 21-23, 21-13. In the Men’s Singles category, Gabriel Felix dominated Abel Stokes 21-3, 21-3, while Sheraz Nabbie brushed aside Ethan Mangra 21-2, 21-4. Jonathan Mangra and Ronit Gulchand also advanced comfortably. The women’s divisions also featured several competitive encounters. Leshaunte Berkley defeated Anjaneysa Godette 21-16, 21-19 in the Under-23 Women’s Singles, while Anika De Freitas rallied from a set down to overcome Sarah Ramnarine 9-21, 21-19, 21-17. In the Women’s Singles category, Alimah Eastman, Dana Persaud and Berkley all progressed in straight sets. The Mixed Doubles category produced one of the closest contests of the evening as Lucas Persaud and Dana Persaud edged Ethan Mangra and Sarah Ramnarine 9-21, 21-16, 30-29 in a thrilling three-game battle. The tournament is also being used as a developmental platform for younger athletes, allowing emerging players to compete alongside some of the country’s more experienced badminton competitors. The Guyana Badminton Association also expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; sponsors; and supporters whose contributions assisted with the successful start of the tournament. Competition continues throughout the weekend with matches in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles divisions before concluding with the finals and presentation ceremony on Sunday.

Major results

Under-23 Men’s Singles

Chike Nurse beat Casey Beckles 21-10 , 1-8.

Mikkel Wong beat Musa Adam Hassan 21-10, 21-23, 21-13

Gabriel Felix beat Percival Chester 21-15, 21-15

Haresh Persaud beat Miguelanjel Jose Vasquez Silva 21-17, 25-23

Hasani Robinson beat Lucas Leo 21-5, 21-4

Ronit Gulchand beat Brandon Cunje 21-7, 21-6

Frank Waddell beat Chioke Nurse 21-4 and 21-7

Gabriel Felix beat Mohamed Farouk 21-7, 21-6

Joel Rambiriche beat Hasani Robinson 21-11, 16-21, 21-18

Christopher Jordan beat Ronit Gulchand 22-20, 20-22, 21-15

Men’s Singles

Grandison Robinson beat Jason Stephney 21-11, 21-19

Gabriel Felix beat Abel Stokes 21-3, 21-3

Sheraz Nabbie beat Ethan Mangra 21-2, 21-4

Ronit Gulchand beat Chet Bowling 21-11, 21-17

Jonathan Mangra beat Percival Chester 21-9, 21-9

Women’s Singles

Alimah Eastman beat Anjaneysa Godette 21-6, 21-13

Dana Persaud beat Anika De Freitas 21-17, 21-10

Leshaunte Berkley beat Anya Manickchand 21-2, 21-6

Men’s Doubles

Mohamed Farouk/Haresh Persaud beat Shane Satrohan/Mikkel Wong 21-14, 21-7

Haymant Ramdhani/Jason Stephney beat William Holder/Nicholas Waldron 22-20, 21-19

Vishal Prakash/Mahender Sharma beat Leslie Liu/Rajendra Naraine 13-21, 21-10, 21-19

Mixed Doubles

Hasani Robinson/Cathalina Wong beat Kristian Viapree/Eyota Adams 21-2, 21-3.

Lucas Persaud/Dana Persaud beat Ethan Mangra/Sarah Ramnarine 9-21, 21-16, 30-29