Bajans flawless in singles semi-finals

After taking a sound beating in the younger age categories, the Barbadian Under -17 and Under-19 players took revenge by eliminating all of the local favourites from the semi-final round of the Guyana Classic International Badminton singles tournament against Barbados.

During Sunday’s games at the Queen’s College courts, the Barbadian boys and girls won both of the Under-17 and Under-19 match-ups to ensure that the singles titles will accompany them back home as the final will be an all-Bajan affair.

Bradley Pilgrim emerged as one of the island’s top contenders as he advanced to the finals in both the U-17 and the U-19 divisions.

Pilgrim eased past Avian Rodrigues (Guy) 21-8, 21-10 in the U-17 category and then took a short breather before rising to the challenge of fellow Barbadian Kevin Mallet and succeeding in eliminating him in three sets 21-14,18-21,21-11. Mallet may have been exhausted as Guyanese Nicholas Ali put up a valiant fight before being defeated 23-21, 12-21, 17-21.

In the other U-17 semi-final match, Dakiel Thorpe (Bar) pushed aside the local campaigner Javid Rahaman in straight sets 21-7,21-15.

In the female U-17 battle, Monyata Riviera (Bar) easily prevailed over compatriot Lisa King 21-18, 21-14, while Mikiela Carrington had her work cut out against Guyanese Avashti Persaud.

Carrington’s determination, however, guided her to a 23-21, 21-16 victory.

She will meet Riveira in the finals.

The Bajans’ domination continued in the U-19 category as Cheriann Fanus (BAR) and Lisa King (BAR) overcame Guyanese Avashti Persaud and Shavinne Persaud respectively.

Fanus defeated Avashti Persaud 21-14, 22-20, in the first match while King defeated Shavinne Persaud 21-10, 21-17.

Meanwhile, wins in the semi-final round of the doubles competition were evenly distributed between the two countries.

The combination of Narayan Ramdhani & Darius Ali were too much for Barbadians Daniel Duncan & Jordan Ollivierre in the U-11 category as they succeeded over the Bajans 21-4 and 21-3.

In the other matchup of this category, it was the Bajans who emerged triumphant as Shane Martin/Michael Richards (BAR) defeated Ben Mendes/ Jordan Isaacs(Guy)21-8,21-11. Results of the other matches played Sunday were:

Under 11 Girls Doubles Finals:

Rose Mendes/Priyanna Ramdhani (Guy) defeated Kayla Beharry/ Maya Persram (Guy): 21-3,21-4

Under-11 Mixed Doubles Semi Finals:

Narayan Ramdhani/Rose Mendes(Guy) defeated Ben Mendes/Maya Persram(Guy): 21-6,21-5,

Darius Ali/Priyanna Ramdhani (Guy) defeated Shae Martin/Amanda Haywood (Bar):21-9,21-19

Under 13 Boys Doubles Semi-Finals:

Narayan Ramdhani/Darius Ali(Guy) defeated Shawn Freer/ Stephen Freer(Bar): 21-14,21-10

Cory Fanus/D’Andre Thorpe(Bar) defeated Andrew Peroune/ Kevin Quaicoe (Guy); 21-12,21-12

Under 13 Girls Doubles Semi-finals:

Asharnica Persaud/Rose Mendes(Guy) defeated Supriya Bera/Teshana Lowe(Guy):21-3,21-10

Under 13 Mixed Doubles Semi-Finals:

Narayan Ramdhani/Asharnica Persaud (Guy) defeated Sachin Ramdhani/Nathlie Khan(Guy):21-5,21-7

Under 15 Boys Doubles Semi-Finals:

Avian Rodrigues/Nicholas Ali(Guy) defeated Shawn Freer/Stephen Freer (Bar):21-1,21-4

Shem Scantlebury/Carl Broomes (Bar) defeated Cory Fanus/D’Andre Thorpe(Bar):21-10,21-12

Under 15 Girls Doubles Semi-Finals:

Lisa King/Cheriann Fanus(Bar) defeated Avashti Persaud/Asharnica Persaud(Guy):21-19,21-18

Monyata Riviera/Mikelia Carrington(Bar) defeated Pascal Mendes/ Anissa Rodrigues(Guy):21-10,21-8

Under 17 Boys Doubles Semi Finals

Kelvin Mallett/Bradley Pilgrim(Bar) defeated Shem Scantlebury/carl Broomes(Bar):21-12,21-8

Under 17 Girls Doubles Semi-Finals:Lisa King/Cheriann Fanus(Bar) defeated Monyata Riviera/Mikeila Carrington (Bar) 21-18, 21-7

Under-17 Mixed Doubles Semi finals

Bradley Pilgrim/Mikeila Carrington (Bar) defeated Avian Rodrigues/Avashti Persaud (Guy) 21-11,21-12

The finals and presentation of prizes will take place this afternoon from 5pm.