60th Independence Badminton: Haynes and Beharry lead the charge on packed finals day

An action-packed day of high-stakes badminton looms at the National Gymnasium as the 60th Independence Anniversary Badminton Tournament heads for a dramatic conclusion.

Following a gruelling Saturday of quarter-final and semi-final action, the stage is set for a blockbuster Sunday line-up featuring Guyana’s premier badminton talent.

Akili Haynes enjoyed a sensational Saturday and remains on course for multiple titles. In the men’s singles quarter-finals, top seed Haynes laid down a marker with a commanding 21-11, 21-8 victory over Jaurel Hendricks.

He will face third-seed Frank Waddell in the semi-finals after Waddell eased past Nikolas Pollard 21-7, 21-8. The bottom half of the draw produced the match of the day, where an unseeded Sheraz Nabbie pulled off a stunning comeback to upset joint-third seed Nkosi Beaton 15-21, 24-22, 21-12.

Nabbie’s reward is a semi-final clash against second seed Tyrese Jeffrey, who safely advanced by defeating Chioke Nurse 21-16, 21-14.

Haynes also showed his class in the mixed doubles alongside Asiyah Eastman. The top-seeded pair booked their spot in the final with a clinical 21-19, 21-11 semi-final triumph over Frank Waddell and Leshaunte Berkley.

They will contest the ultimate match against second seeds Nkosi Beaton and Mishka Beharry, who booked their own final ticket by defeating Grandison Robinson and Amande Low-Lewis 21-13, 21-14.

The women’s divisions are shaping up to be equally thrilling. In the women’s doubles, the top-seeded tandem of Mishka Beharry and Leshaunte Berkley secured their final berth with a convincing 21-18, 21-7 win over Abosaide Cadogan and Ashley Khalil.

They are scheduled to fight for the championship against Asiyah Eastman and Menikshi Jaikissoon, who completely dominated second seeds Amande Low-Lewis and Anna Perreira in a 21-12, 21-12 straight-sets victory.

Sunday’s order of play promises to push the athletes to their physical limits, starting with the Under-23 semi-finals before transitioning into the senior category knockouts.

Fans will be treated to a non-stop parade of championship matches later in the afternoon, culminating in the highly anticipated men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles finals