In the prestigious arena of the Total Energies BWF Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 in Chengdu, China, the Algerian Men’s Badminton Team stood tall, representing their country and Africa with pride. Grouped alongside badminton powerhouses like Denmark, Malaysia, and Hong Kong in Group D, the team faced a formidable challenge in their opening match against Denmark, the winner of the Thomas Cup of 2016.
Adel Hamek, stepping onto the court for the first singles match, was tasked with going head-to-head against none other than World number 1 and Olympic Champion Viktor Axelsen. Despite the daunting opponent, Hamek remained steadfast in his commitment to represent his country and Africa on this global stage. Post-match, Hamek conveyed his pride at the opportunity while acknowledging the results weren’t as desired, emphasizing the team’s intent to learn and grow stronger from the experience.
Youcef Sabri Medel took the court for the second singles encounter, facing Anders Antonsen, the bronze medallist in the previous World Championships. The match was a showcase of skill and athleticism, highlighting the caliber of talent present at the tournament.
In the third singles match, Mohamed Abderrahime Belarbi displayed his prowess against Rasmus Gemke, contributing to the team’s daring performance.
The Men’s Doubles matches featured Algeria’s own African Champions, Koceila Mammeri and Youcef Sabri Medel, who took on the formidable duo of Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
Mohamed Abderrahime Belarbi and Adel Hamek formed the second Men’s Doubles pair, engaging in a thrilling battle against Rasmus Kjær and Frederik Søgaard.
Although the tie concluded with Denmark emerging victorious with a 5-0 scoreline, the Algerian team’s performance left a lasting impression, showcasing their flair and commitment to the sport. As they look ahead to future matches, the team remains resolute in their commitment to representing Algeria and Africa with pride on the international badminton stage.
