JEDDAH: Over 850 players from all over Saudi Arabia, some from neighboring Bahrain and Syria, took part in the two-day Jeddah Badminton Open Challenge fest, organized jointly by Evenlode Badminton Club of Dammam and Jeddah Badminton Club,at the Olympia Sports Complex recently.

The different categories included Under-12 & 16 doubles; men’s doubles — Premier, Championship, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th; mixed doubles Flight 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd 1st; men’s singles — championship & premier singles flights; veterans doubles, ladies doubles Flight 6th, 5th, 4thand 3rd flights.

Top honors in the premier men’s singles went to Salvador Kapunan of Riyadh who got the better of Saudi national badminton coach Ammar Awad 19-21, 21-10, 21-11. In the premier doubles Ralph & Salvad beat Jaffer & Ammar 17-21, 21-19, 19-21.

The championship men’s doubles was won by Shahim Koothradan & Binesh of Riyadh when they beat the Jeddah champions Rico Gonzales & Mitchie Cruz. The championship singles title was won by Awais Nasir who got the better of Ashill of Jeddah. The veterans above 45 category was won by Baig & Suhaimi after they eased past Taj & Gilbert in straight sets. The mixed doubles was bagged by Tawfik & Yugean who beat Mitchie & Angela Louise. The championship flight of ladies doubles was won by Princess & Yugean when the strolled past Charmaine & Sarah of Jeddah in straight sets. Kashif Kazi also won both mixed doubled in flight 3 & 2 respectively partnering Rica Montales & Jasmin Ching. Ten-year-old Ethan Josh from Riyadh won U-13 doubles and 6th flight mixed doubles. Nawal of Riyadh also performed well in winning 3 categories partnering with Rayyan & Serena. Jadeer and Johny won the U-16 boys doubles after they beat Daryl & Michael.

Results (all finals):

Junior Boys

U-13 Doubles: Julius & Ethan beat Eman & Hammad;

U-16 Doubles: Jadeer & John beat Daryl & Michael

Men Doubles: Flight 6: Kashif & Noufeeq beat Mohammed&Munavar; Flight 5: Andrew & Gelo beat Asean & joseph; Flight 4: Alimaniya & Zambrano beat Saleem; Flight 3: Jithin & rahul beat Aslam & Tariq; Flight 2: Daryl & Michael beat Kashif; Flight 1: Leonard & Racx beat Kashif & Awais; Championship: Shahim & Binesh beat Rico & Mitchie; Premier Doubles : Ralph & Salvador beat Jaffer & Ammar

Veteran Men Doubles: Baig & Suhaimi beat Gilbert & Taj

Mens Singles: Premier: Salvador beat Ammar; Championship- Awais beat Ashil

Women Doubles:Flight 6: Nawal & Serna beat Malviak & Reya; Flight 5: Flight 5:Nawal & Serena beat Arielle & Chat; Flight 4 Penaflor & Arielle beat Grace & Lala; Flight 3: Princess & Yugean beat Charmaine & Sarah

Mixed Doubles: Flight 6: Nawal & Rayan beat Cheng & Ethan; Flight 5: Regina & Ivan beat Shane & Gelo; Flight 4: Connie & Dennis beat Loreine & Michael; Flight 3: Princess & Petronilo beat Sarah & Dennis; Fligh2: Jasmin & Kashif beat Aian & Dong; Flight 1: Kashif & Rica beat Nicole & Leonard; Championship:Tawfik & Yugean beat Mitchie & Angela