The Guyana Badminton Association’s National Junior and Senior Badminton Tournament is officially underway on Thursday with a competitive showing by top players and promising youth talent at the National Gymnasium.The competition features singles and doubles events across senior and junior divisions, reflecting the GBA’s commitment to growing the sport from the grassroots up.“The tournament provides opportunities for young players to gain valuable experience while allowing senior athletes to sharpen their competitive edge,” stated a GBA representative, as the event grows in local popularity.In the senior Women’s Singles, national squash player Ashley Khalil delivered a commanding performance, sweeping aside Asiyah Eastman 21-11, 21-4. Also advancing was Anna Perreira, who saw off Shonetta Casidee Lowe 21-16, 21-9.The Men’s Singles provided the early tension as Christopher Jordan was forced to work hard, eventually overcoming Vishal Gopaul 21-17, 21-19. Meanwhile, Jason Stephney had a nervy start before securing victory against Kunal Alert 23-21, 21-16.The junior categories were marked by resilience and dramatic three-set finishes, signalling the competitive depth of the rising talent pool.The Boys’ U13 division saw a fierce battle, as Zhi Han edged out Joshua Tan in a gruelling contest that finished 21-18, 24-26, 21-16. Another nail-biter occurred in the Boys’ U15 division, where the multi-talent Zion Hickerson defeated Hasani Robinson 19-21, 21-17, 22-20.In the Girls’ U17 category, Galianna Frank needed a sudden-death third set to prevail over Xaty Bennett 21-18, 10-21, 22-20. The Girls’ U13 also delivered drama, with Ava Ching-A-Sue winning against Hailey Gurchuran 19-21, 21-16, 21-19.The tournament continues over the weekend, with crucial doubles and finals matches scheduled.Day 1 Matches – Thursday, October 9th, 2025Women Singles: Anna Perreira vs. Shonetta Casidee Lowe 21-16, 21-9Men Singles: Anthony Stephens vs. Chioke Nurse 21-12, 21-5Women Singles: Mishka Beharry vs. Gabriella Henry 21-5, 21-6GS U17: Kristen Xavier vs. Kashish Chainani 21-13, 21-14 Men Singles: Christopher Jordan vs. Vishal Gopaul 21-17, 21-19BS U13: Zhi Han vs. Joshua Tan 21-18, 24-26, 21-16BS U13: Zion Hickerson vs. Vaibhav Nataranjan 21-17, 21-19GS U19: Kristen Xavier vs. Anisha Bacchus 21-15, 21-10 Men Singles: Daniel Tan vs. Yonneil Bnejamin 21-11, 21-9GS U13: Lucy Leo vs. Skyler Gurchuran 21-17, 21-9BS U15: Joel Rambiriche vs. Nitin Chainani 21-10, 21-2GS U17: Sakina Klass vs. Aria Blair Walkover Men Singles: Jason Stephney vs. Kunal Alert 23-21, 21-16Women Singles: Ashley Khalil vs. Asiyah Eastman 21-11, 21-4BS U17: Eon Williams vs. Lucas Leo 21-1, 21-2BS U19: Darean Thomas vs. Percival Chester 21-13, 21-15 Men Singles: Colin Bowry vs. Chike Nurse 21-14, 21-9BS U19: Joanathan Debidin vs. Jaquan Nedd 21-5, 21-3BS U13: Caleb Tan vs. Nitin Chainani 21-2, 21-2BS U13: Nathan Mohanlall vs. Christopher Harrison 21-7, 21-12 Men Singles: Gavin Cao vs. Darean Thomas 21-16, 21-10GS U17: Harshini Muralidharan vs. Anisha Bacchus 21-5, 21-2GS U17: Galianna Frank vs. Xaty Bennett 21-18, 10-21, 22-20GS U13: Ava Ching-A-Sue vs. Hailey Gurchuran 19-21, 21-16, 21-19 Men Singles: Joanathan Debidin vs. Andrew Browne 21-10, 21-9GS U13: Chelsea Harrison vs. Kathalina Havercome 21-8, 21-6BS U15: Zion Hickerson vs. Hasani Robinson 19-21, 21-17, 22-20BS U15: Vaibhav Nataranjan vs. Ethan Ramsaran 21-12, 21-12 Men Singles: Kenneth Thuang vs. Nikolas Pollard 21-15, 21-15BS U15: Nathan Mohanlall vs. Zhi Han 21-13, 21-10GS U17: Alleyia Grant vs. Eyota Adams 21-5, 21-2GS U17: Brianna Morgan vs. Rafiqah Chichester 21-8, 21-9 Men Singles: Raah Russel vs. Percival Chester 21-13, 21-14U19 BS: Nathan Morrison vs. Chike Nurse 7-21, 21-9, 21-18GS U19: Gabriella Henry vs. Brianna Morgan 21-3, 21-5GS U19: Harshini Muralidharan vs. Xaty Bennett 21-3, 21-3 GS U19: Gabrielle Felix vs. Eyota Adams 21-3, 21-0BS U19: Ronit Gulchand vs. Nikolas Pollard 21-8, 21-18BS U19: Yonneil Benjamin vs. Kunal Alert 21-19, 21-10BS U19: Christopher Jordan vs. Eon Williams 21-3, 21-5 BS U19: Darean Thomas vs. Gabriel Felix 16-21, 21-6, 21-9Women Singles: Priyanna Ramdhani vs. Anna Perreira WalkoverBS U19: Chioke Nurse vs. Micah Holder 21-16, 21-7BS U19: Ruel Rambiriche vs. Nathan Henry 21-17, 21-11The post Competitive start to National Junior and Senior Badminton Championships appeared first on News Room Guyana.