The Malta International badminton tournament, presented by VICTOR, concluded last weekend at the Cottonera Sports Complex after four days of top-tier action on the Badminton Europe circuit.Featuring over 100 international athletes, the tournament offered local players a valuable opportunity to compete on a global stage.International WinnersThe finals were dominated by the top seeds. Poland’s Dominik Kwinta claimed the Men’s Singles title, while Prakriti Bharath of the United Arab Emirates secured victory in the Women’s Singles.The full list of champions is as follows:Men’s Singles: Dominik Kwinta (Poland)Women’s Singles: Prakriti Bharath (United Arab Emirates)Men’s Doubles: Robin Harper & Harry Wakefield (England)Women’s Doubles: Orla Flynn & Siofra Flynn (Ireland)Mixed Doubles: Dhiren Ayyappan & Taabia Khan (United Arab Emirates)Maltese Highlights: Success in Qualifying RoundsLocal participation stood out as a key feature of the event, with several Maltese players delivering notable performances early in the competition.During the qualification rounds, the home crowd witnessed strong results from local pairs against international opponents. Nigel Degaetano and Lauren Azzopardi demonstrated resilience in a hard-fought three-set win (16-21, 21-19, 21-17) over Greek rivals in their opening match. Matthew Galea and Elenia Haber also impressed, advancing with a straight-sets victory (21-12, 24-22).In the Main Draw, the competition remained intense. Matthew Abela produced a standout performance in the Men’s Singles Round of 32, taking his match to a deciding third set. Samuel Cassar also showed determination, narrowly missing a third set in a tight 21-23 contest.A Successful EventBadminton Malta expressed its appreciation to the volunteers, officials, and sponsors whose contributions ensured the event’s success. The tournament further strengthens Malta’s standing as a destination for international sporting events.“It has been a significant week for badminton in Malta,” a Badminton Malta spokesperson stated. “Seeing our local players compete and achieve wins in the qualifying rounds on home soil reflects the dedication being invested at every level. We are proud of the effort shown by the entire Maltese contingent.”For full results and match scores, visit the official BWF Match Centre:https://bwfbadminton.com/tournament/5644/malta-international-2026-presented-by-victor/infoWell done to all!•