Day 2 of the All Africa U-15 Championships in Harare, Zimbabwe brought forth the highly anticipated semi-finals, treating badminton enthusiasts to a spectacular display of skill and determination. The battles on the court were nothing short of breathtaking, setting the stage for a thrilling finals day. Let’s delve into the intense matches and hear from the players themselves.
Boy’s Singles: All-Algerian Final
The Boy’s Singles category witnessed surprising upsets and brilliant performances. Oussama Keddou of Algeria delivered a remarkable performance, defeating top-seed Misha Bredell from South Africa with a convincing score of 21-18, 21-9. Speaking after the match, Oussama expressed his elation, acknowledging the guidance of his coach. The victory propelled him into the finals, where he would face his compatriot Ayoub Rayan Daoud.
In another closely contested semi-final, Ayoub Rayan Daoud, seeded number two, secured his place in the final by overcoming the third-seeded Jonathan Shane Ng Wing Lit from Mauritius. The Algerian emerged victorious with a scoreline of 21-15, 21-15. Ayoub shared his thoughts on the challenging matches, emphasizing his determination to win the upcoming final against Oussama.
Girl’s Singles: Egyptian Triumph and Mauritian Dominance
The Girl’s Singles matches were filled with suspense and skill. Nour Fikry of Egypt faced off against top-seed Yi Wen Li from South Africa in a thrilling encounter. Nour emerged triumphant in a decider game with a score of 21-17, 13-21, 21-10. The Egyptian player expressed her satisfaction with the hard-fought victory and her pride in reaching the finals.
In the second semi-final, Elsa Caitlin How Hong, the second seed from Mauritius, exhibited dominance, securing her place in the final with a comprehensive win over Malayka Mohamed from Egypt, with a scoreline of 21-13, 21-13. Elsa, filled with determination, spoke of her objective to clinch the championship title for her team and country.
Boy’s Doubles: South African Prowess and Algerian Tenacity
The Boy’s Doubles category featured intense clashes that set the tone for an exciting final. The top-seeded South African duo, Misha Bredell and Ricardo Vigario, showcased their prowess by defeating the Mauritian pair of Jordy Kris and Jonathan Shane with a score of 21-18, 21-10. The South Africans advanced to the final, demonstrating a strong partnership.
On the other side, the second-seeded Algerian pair, Ayoub Rayan Daoud and Oussama Keddou, exhibited tenacity and skill, securing their spot in the final by defeating the South African pair Zeming Chen and Alexander Pretorius with a scoreline of 21-15, 21-8. The Algerians, brimming with confidence, expressed their readiness for the final showdown.
Girl’s Doubles: Egyptian Dominance and Mauritian Determination
In the Girl’s Doubles category, the top-seeded Egyptian duo, Nour Fikry and Malayka Mohamed, demonstrated their dominance by winning the semi-final against the South African pair Chloe Lai and Yi Wen Li with a score of 22-20, 21-18. The Egyptian pair acknowledged the tough competition ahead in the final against the Mauritian duo Elsa How Hong and Mia Siow.
The other semi-final saw the Mauritian pair, Elsa How Hong and Mia Siow, securing their place in the final by defeating the Algerian pair Rahima Hussein and Mira Shater with a score of 21-12, 21-17. Elsa and Mia expressed their joy at being on the winning side and acknowledged the challenges awaiting them in the final.
Mixed Doubles: Mauritian Elation and Egyptian Tenacity
The Mixed Doubles category featured thrilling encounters that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The Mauritian pair Jonathan Shan and Elsa How Hong, seeded fourth, emerged victorious in a nail-biting semi-final against the top-seeded Egyptian duo Omar Elsabban and Nour Fikry. The match went the distance with a score of 21-16, 21-23, 21-19. Elsa and Jonathan shared their excitement, emphasizing the competitiveness of the match and their commitment to training.
In the second semi-final, the Egyptian pair Moamen Khaled and Malayka Mohamed secured their spot in the final by defeating the Mauritian duo Leo Jean Douce and Prajna Ragoonundun in a suspenseful match with a score of 24-22, 16-21, 23-21. Moamen and Malayka expressed their happiness at winning and looked forward to the final.
As the thrilling semi-finals concluded, the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) invites badminton enthusiasts to witness the live broadcast of the finals on their Youtube Channel and Facebook page. The All Africa U-15 Championships have not only showcased exceptional talent and fierce competition but also the spirit of sportsmanship among these young athletes. As the finalists gear up for the grand finale, the anticipation and excitement among fans are palpable. Stay tuned for the culmination of this extraordinary badminton journey, where these young athletes will vie for championship glory.
