Former national badminton player Grandison Robinson scored an upset win on his return to the badminton courts after a 14-year absence.
Robinson, who drew a bye in his first round encounter, defeated seeded player Haymant Ramdhani when the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) served off its Open men and women’s singles tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Tuesday.
“This is my first time playing since 1993. I felt good winning because Ramdhani has been playing for quite some time. Beating him was a hurdle,” Robinson said afterwards, adding that he is recovering from a broken hand and was praying while playing his opponent.
Robinson defeated Ramdhani 21-13, 21-8 to book a semi-final place against Deodat Etwaroo who defeated Karl Wharton 26-24, 13-21, 21-18 in the quarter-finals.
Also through to the semi-finals are Gokarn Ramdhani, who defeated Selwyn Daniels 21-8, 21-11 and Renick Evelyn, who defeated James Blackman 21-16, 21-13.
In the first round of the men’s singles, Rodiques Daniels defeated Lester Alvis 21-8, 12-12, Blackman defeated Keron Stephens 21-17, 21-19 and Darell Carpenay defeated Leroy Thomas 21-6, 21-12.
In the second round Gokarn Ramdhani defeated Daniels 21-2, 21-5 while Etwaroo defeated Carpenay 21-19, 23-25, 17-21.
In the women’s singles Ashley Khalil defeated Helen Bowman 21-14, 21-13 and Kristal Lisa Khalil won from Suprana Bera 21-10, 21-16.
The semi-finals and finals will take place tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 7pm.
