1st South American Youth Games...Narayan Ramdhani advance to Badminton quarterfinals

1st South American Youth Games…Narayan Ramdhani advance to Badminton quarterfinals

Sep 25, 2013 Sports

– Adams (200m free) & George (100m back) achieve PB’s

By Franklin Wilson in Peru
Guyana suffered mixed fortunes on day one of the Badminton competition which shuttled off yesterday at the Instalociones de Badminton del Club Regatas, a massive Multi Purpose Sports facility in Lima, Peru, yesterday.
Fielding the two youngest players in this segment of the 19-Sports inaugural South American Youth Games (1SAYG), Narayan Ramdhani competing in the Singles, came back from one set down to defeat Lizama Bastian of Chile, it was the second loss for Bastian which meant that he was knocked out of the competition.

Down & Out! Chile’s Lizama Bastian (on knees) is in tears after losing to Narayan Ramdhani (left), his Coach is at right.

Female competitor, Ambika Ramraj was not able to put up much of a fight, losing to Surinamese opponent, Santusha Ramzan in straight sets, 21-3 21-9.
Ramdhani, started his match a bit nervous but as the game progressed he grew in confidence to upstage his Chilean opponent who had lost his opening match to Suriname’s Opti Soren 21-11 21-14.
In a close tussle, Bastian took the first set from Ramdhani 21-19. At the break after the first set, Ramdhani’s Coach, Gokarn Ramdhani was able to motivate the young player to the extent that he upped his game from the start of the second set which he took at 13.
The third and final set, like the first, was a close contest but young Ramdhani kept his focus and urged on by President and Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association, K. A Juman Yassin and Hector Edwards along with Chef-de-Mission, Dr. Karen Pilgrim, he brought the bacon home prevailing, 21-18.
Having already earned a quarterfinal place, Ramdhani will take on old nemesis Soren Opti of Suriname in the final group match today. In six outings, the Guyanese, two year’s younger than Bastian, has never beaten the Surinamese but will be approaching this game with confidence.
Commenting after the win, Ramdhani said that while starting a bit nervy, the game was fun for him and he is looking forward to taking on Opti today.
Fourteen-year-old Ambika Ramraj was not able to overcome the cold weather and was brushed aside by Ramzan. The second youngest player on the Guyana team will play Daniela Macias of Peru today.
On the cycling track, Shaquel Agard placed 14 out of 16 riders in the 5km Time Trials in 8 Minutes 21.73 Seconds which was won by Andre Gohr of Brazil in 6 Minutes 59.76 Seconds.
Columbia’s John Rodriguez came second in 7 Minutes 07.51 Seconds with another Brazilian, Rodrigo Dos Santos taking the third spot in 7 Minutes 20.03 Seconds.

Crystal Lambert

On the distaff side, Aruban rider Cherley Van Den Linden sprung a pleasant surprise when she prevailed in the 3km clash, finishing in 5 Minutes 05.12 Seconds. Brazilian, Ana Paula Casetta had to settle for third in 5 Minutes 06.35 Seconds with Ecuador’s Ester Galarza next in 5 Minutes 07.36 Seconds.
The swimmers were again in business against some of the best in the business as they sought to hold their own.
While not springing any upsets, the young Guyanese were able to better chip away at their previous best times.
Onika George bettered her previous 100m breastroke time of 1 Minute 20.24 Seconds by posting a new standard of 1 Minute 20.16 Seconds. Omar Adams was the other swimmer to set a new standard for himself.
He clocked 2 Minutes 21.67 Seconds in his 200m freestyle race having entered with 2 Minutes 25.47 Seconds. Hannibal Gaskin also swam the 200m free and clocked 2 Minutes 15.78 Seconds, a bit slower than his Personal Best of 2 Minutes 14.77 Seconds.
The trio will take to the Pool tomorrow again after a rest day today. Boxing, Badminton and Table Tennis will be contested today.