Some of Cayman’s best players showed their skills off during the Cayman Islands Badminton tournament and walked away with bragging rights and silverware.
The event, held at the Clifton Hunter High School sports hall, featured more than a dozen competitors across five divisions.
Don Calloo, president of the Cayman Islands Badminton Club, told the Compass that this year’s event honoured Chris Cole for his years of support for the sport, with a special trophy.
“Our colleague Chris Cole … has contributed many decades of his life to the advancement of badminton within these islands,” Calloo said, adding he was “now, sadly, suffering from a chronic disease”.
“The subsequent winners of the singles event for each year will be inscribed on this perpetual trophy which will also help to maintain a log of Cayman’s badminton championships going forward.”
In the men’s singles, Orville Mattis took the final with Tahlia Richardson earning the top spot in women’s singles. The two then teamed up for the mixed doubles and walked away with the winning trophy in that division.
RESULTS
Men’s singles: ORVILLE MATTIS
Women’s singles: TAHLIA RICHARDSONMen’s doubles: JONNY HORSLEY & MATT BACANI
Women’s doubles: CLAIRE HUGHES & AURIELIE CABARTMixed doubles: TAHLIA RICHARDSON & ORVILLE MATTIS
In the men’s doubles, Jonny Horsely and Matt Bacani were victorious and, in the women’s doubles, it was veteran Claire Hughes and partner Aurielie Cabart claiming gold.
The event was well attended, bringing together the best that Cayman has to offer in the sport of badminton, with some players already gaining international notice, according to Calloo.
“The level of this sport is growing exponentially with some players being recognised by the Badminton World Federation,” he said.
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Very sorry to hear about Chris Cole, I played with him in the seventies. He was an inspiration to all, forever giving coaching advice and fornever without a smile on his face. He was a pioneer in this sport.