Coke and Wynter triumphant at 2016 Tournament of Kings!

April 4, 2016: Tournament of Kings Update!

In a weekend filled with surprises, Katherine Wynter’s performance remained consistent at the Jamaica Badminton Association’s 2016 Tournament of Kings last weekend.

Wynter dismissed all opponents in straight sets, defeating Taina Daley in the quarter-finals, 21-6, 21-16, Esther Reynolds in the semi-finals, 21-13, 21-19 and Mikaylia Haldane in the finals, 21-10, 21-11, to take the crown in the Open Ladies Singles 2016 Tournament of Kings.

In the Open Division Men’s Singles the number 3 seed, Sean Wilson, was the first major upset of the tournament, losing 16-21 and 21-23 to Craig Allison in the round of 16. The seeds continued to fall in this division with the number one seed, Che Beckford, being dethroned in the quarter finals by junior, Matthew Lee and the number 2 seed, Kemar Valentine, losing in the semi-finals to Dennis Coke , seeded number 4.

The action heated up as Matthew Lee cruised past Albert Myles in the semifinals 21-6, 21-9 to secure a face-off against Dennis Coke, the number 4 seed. In a tightly contested first game, Coke seemed to have the edge and was 2 points away from securing the game. Unnerved, Lee continued his fight back with net play and jump smashes to secure the first game at 21-19. Coke won the second game 21-16, forcing a third and final game. The highly anticipated contest was derailed when Lee was struck by cramps and although played on, could not seem to get back his rhythm against the unrelenting Coke losing 21-19, 16-21, 14-21.

In the B Division event, the number one and two seeds retained their supremacy as they battled to the finals. Shaquille Palmer’s (#1 seed) road to the finals was beset with injury from the recent II Jamaica International 2016 Badminton Tournament. In the quarter-finals, Palmer secured a slim victory over Bradley Burnett, 21-19, 21-18 to face his Falcon Club teammate, Nicardo Reid in the semifinals. The flamboyant Reid took the first game 21-7, but he was unable to repel the onslaught from Palmer who went on to win the next 2 games, 21-17 and 21-12.

The number 2 seed, Joslyn Davis, defeated Maurice McLaren 21-15, 21-18 in the quarterfinals, and emerged the victor from a three game match against Ashane Newland, 19-21,21-19, 21-13. The match up was as expected. Palmer took the first game 21-16, but Davis replied with a win in the second, 21-14. Forced to play a third to decide the victor, the battle was close and intense, but Palmer, overcame injury and his opponent, to take the title of B Men’s Singles 2016 Tournament of Kings Champion, 21-17.

A new champion was crowned in the B ladies singles event. Esther Reynolds secured the win against Alana Bailey in the Finals, 17-21, 21-12, 21-15. Bailey, the architect of an upset in the A division when she defeated senior player Geordine Henry in straight sets, was the top seed in this event and the favorite. The unseeded Reynolds, was the clear challenger for this event, and she did not disappoint as she utilized powerful smashes and consistent play to secure her victory.

The great surprise of the tournament was the appearance of past Olympian and Pan Am Ladies Singles Champion (2004 and 2003 respectively), Nigella Saunders, who was welcomed with a warm round of applause, and who served as presenter to the finalists.

Other results of the tournament:

C Men’s Singles Finals: Nicardo Reid defeated Marc Anthony Salmon 21-19, 21-7

C Women’s Singles Finals: Tahlia Richardson defeated Aaliyah Henry 21-10, 21-15

D Men’s Singles Finals: Daryl Branford defeated Allanatae Daley 13-21, 24-22, 21-5

D Womenr’s Singles Finals: Stefani Brown defeated Joelle Silvera 21-9, 21-15