Spirited Ramdhani siblings lead Guyana’s charges in CAREBACO semi finals
After three days of grueling competition at the Ring Sports Center in Paramaribo Suriname, Guyana’s senior badminton players are showing the fruits of their labour, having made it to three of five Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) senior semifinals.
Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani battle it out with Soren Opti & Mary-Ann Zhong
Playing against Olympians and Number 1 seeded players, the Guyanese athletes had a tall task ahead of them, despite this; the six athletes have managed to show that Guyana is one of the teams to beat at this year’s competition.
Playing against Barbadians Shae Martin and Dakeil Thorpe, Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffery unfortunately lost the team’s first match up of the day, 21-9, 21-9.
In a game that would avenge their teammates lost, the second pair in the Men’s doubles category produced a convincing win to advance to the semifinal round. Narayan Ramdhani and Johnathan Mangra made a great comeback in the when they defeated No.2 Seeded pair Jamal Jared Thijssen & Roche Young A Fat: 21-6, 21-14.
Being the last Guyanese to make it thus far in the men’s singles category, badminton powerhouse Narayan Ramdhani could not match the prowess of the Number one seeded Robert Mann of Luxemborg. After playing valiantly he lost in straight sets 21-16, 21-8.
Priyanna Ramdhani shows off her skill in the Women’s singles quarter final
Guyana’s fortunes took a turn for the better when Priyanna Ramdhani took to the courts to contest her women’s singles quarter final. The 16 year old who is now on a winning streak outshone Barbados’ Monyata Rivers 21-19, 21-18.
Later on in the evening, Priyanna teamed up with her elder brother Narayan once again to battle in the mixed doubles category. The pair who often play together showed why they are two of Guyana’s best in a nail biting matchup that could have gone either side. However, at the right moment the duo managed to surpass their opponents even though the sets were close. They won 22-20, 21-8 to Surinamese Olympians Soren Opti & Mary-Ann Zhong.
In the semifinal round, Priyana will come up against Jamaica’s Katherine Wynter whilst Johnathan Mangra and Narayan Ramdhani faces off with Dylan Darmohoetomo and Gilmar Jones of Suriname.
Priyana and Narayan Ramdhani will also be featured in the mixed doubles semifinal, opposing Dakeil Jonathan Thorpe and Tamisha Williams of Barbados.
Priyanna is also scheduled to contest a women’s doubles match alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s Chequeda De Boulet. They will battle against Suriname’s Imani Mangroe and Mary-Ann Zhong.
