This year’s Irish Para-Badminton international is the second to start on a Wednesday, para-badminton tournaments to be played over a 5 day format, and today was full of action at the National Badminton Centre in Dublin.
Mathieu Thomas of France put in the European performance of the day today, in the group stages of the SL3 men’s singles against Dwiyoko Dwiyoko from Indonesia. After dropping the opening game 13-21 Thomas came back to take the second 21-15. The third and final game went down to the wire, a nail biting 21-19 victory means the Frenchman will be favourite to top group D which also features Scotland’s Alan Oliver and Belgium’s Bob Biesmans.
McVeigh undone by Martin in group stage
Another thrilling match-up on opening day saw Ireland’s Niall McVeigh struggle to maintain the winning form we saw last month in Turkey. Andrew Martin of England had just enough grit and determination to make it through the match 21-19, 18-21, 21-18. McVeigh had this to say after the epic group match
“A couple of errors let me down, but I’m still feeling good about the tournament and am playing for a spot in the last 16. It was a good day in general, we did well in the mixed doubles earlier, andother tough match there and victory sees us through to the next round. I’m looking forward to day 2!”
Read : French champions thin on the ground
A Mixed bag
Hopes of topping the group were dashed today for Marcel Adam & Katrin Seibert (GER) in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles. The number 2 seeds faced the world number 17 pair Fredy Setiawan & Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko (INA) which treated us to another close match which ended 23-21, 23-21 to the Indonesians.
Indonesia now showing strength in depth across all categories in para-badminton, leading the charge for Asia with the absence of the Japan and China this week.
For a full list of the Irish Para-Badminton International draws and results this week click here