Victory at Oceania Para-badminton Championships

For the first time, the Oceania Para-badminton Championships were run alongside the able-bodied men’s and women’s teams events, and it proved a winning formula for event organisers. Although the results were mixed for Australian players, the tournament was a great showcase of the growth of the sport in the Oceania region.

It was an all-Aussie affair in the mixed singles WH1, featuring young gun Lochan Cowper and Richard John Davis, who upset No. 1 seed Duke Trench-Thiedeman earlier in the semi-finals. The match was Cowper’s with a comprehensive 21-14, 21-10 win.

In the men’s singles WH2, a second all-Australian final saw Grant Manzoney maintain his title from 2019, defeating Qambar Ali Akhteyari 21-10, 21-7.

Luke Missen defended his mixed singles SH6 title, defeating newcomer David Joe Kaniku (PNG), and partnered with 15-year-old Anjelina Melki in the doubles exhibition match to clinch his second gold of the Championships.

In other results, Kiwi duo Corrie Robinson and Carrie Wilson were too strong for Rod Ranstall and Celine Vinot, taking the mixed doubles SL3/SL4/SU5 final 21-10, 21-19.

By Badminton Australia
Posted: 18/02/2020
Photo with thanks to Badminton Australia