By Travis Seymour
In a display of skill and dominance, Akili Haynes and Priyanna Ramdhani successfully defended their mixed doubles title at the GUMDAC Easter Badminton Tournament held at the National Gymnasium.
The three-day tournament concluded on Saturday, featuring intense competition and remarkable performances from participating players.
Haynes and Ramdhani faced off against Tyrese Jeffrey and Ambika Ramraj in the mixed doubles final.
Demonstrating their prowess, Haynes and Ramdhani claimed victory in just two sets, winning the first set 21-14 and showcasing their versatility to secure a more dominant win in the second set with a score of 21-10.
Wen Yuan Chen and Shivannie Persaud, along with Avinash Oudit and Mishka Beharry, shared third place in the mixed doubles category.
In the men’s doubles final, a thrilling battle unfolded between veterans Marlon Chung and Wenyuan Chen and the dynamic duo of Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey.
Despite a closely contested match, Haynes and Jeffrey emerged victorious after a hard-fought encounter, winning the deciding set 21-14.
Nkosi Beaton and Frank Waddell, along with Avinash Odit and Javid Rahaman, shared third place in the men’s doubles category.
The women’s doubles final saw Priyanna Ramdhani and Mishka Beharry facing off against Ayanna Watson and Shivannie Persaud.
Ramdhani and Beharry secured another straight-sets victory, defeating their opponents 21-16, 21-13.
Naveah Eastman and Malia Haley, along with Alimah Eastman and Asiyah Eastman, jointly held the bronze medal in the women’s doubles category.
Expressing gratitude, the Guyana Badminton Association thanked Darrell Carpenay for his continued sponsorship of the tournament and acknowledged the support of the National Sport Commission for providing the venue.
GBA President Emily Ramdhani highlighted the importance of partnerships in promoting sports development and fostering a vibrant sporting culture in Guyana.
The tournament showcased the talent and dedication of badminton players and underscored the collaborative efforts driving sports excellence in the country.