The Jamaica Badminton Academy recently concluded its inaugural Shuttle Showdown Tournament, showcasing a high level of skill, passion, and sportsmanship.
Held at the YMCA, the event featured over 200 participants, ranging in age from seven to over 60, competing across various categories. Athletes vied for a prize pool exceeding $500,000 in cash and giveaways, including the top prize of a 42-inch smart TV.
The tournament began on September 14-15 with competitions in the Beginner, B, and D divisions, followed by junior and open categories on September 21-22.
In the men’s singles ‘A’ division, Craig Allison defeated top-seed Joel Angus in a closely contested final, winning 21-18, 21-17. Both finalists entered the tournament after completing a two-month training programme in China.
In the women’s singles ‘A’, Katherine Wynter secured the title with a dominant 21-9, 21-12 win over Alexandra Beckford.
In the men’s doubles ‘A’ final, Anthony Mcnee and Kemar Valentine triumphed over Kenneth Anglin and Joel Angus, 21-12, 21-18, while Wynter teamed up with Stefani Brown to win the women’s doubles ‘A’ event, defeating Beckford and Breanna Bisnott, 21-14, 23-21.
The tournament catered to all skill levels, with beginner categories providing a platform for casual players. Selcon Zhang claimed the men’s beginner singles title, and Jhevado Ross won the men’s singles ‘D’ division after a tight 23-21, 19-21, 21-17 victory over Shan-Jay Daley.
In the junior division, young talents shone. Zamani Allen won the boys’ under-9 singles with a 21-9, 21-5 win over Bryson Edwards, while seven-year-old Jillian Yap dominated the girls’ under-9 category, defeating Wynter Zhang 21-15, 21-11.
Sponsored by several local businesses, including Premier Optical and Lifespan Spring Water, the tournament marked a significant moment for Jamaican badminton. Dr. Mathew Lee, co-founder of the Jamaica Badminton Academy, emphasized the sport’s impact, noting that his own involvement in badminton helped him secure a $17.3 million scholarship to pursue an MBBS at the University of the West Indies.
The Academy plans to make the Shuttle Showdown an annual event, aiming to further grow the sport in Jamaica.
