Ricketts and Wynter fair well at VIII INTERNATIONAL MEXICANO Badminton Tournament

Photo: Samuel Ricketts and Katherine Wynter at the VIII International Mexicano Badminton Tournament

Fresh from helping Jamaica to their gold medal victory at the recently concluded Caribbean Championships team event, Samuel Ricketts and Katherine Wynter teamed up at the VIII International Mexicano Badminton Tournament, to reach the Quarterfinals in the Mixed Doubles and Quarterfinals in their respective singles disciplines. 

Both players made themselves available for a workshop prior to the tournament. The tournament was staged September 20-24, however, Katherine had her flight rescheduled due to bad weather and arrived just in time for the tournament.

In their first Mixed Doubles encounter, Ricketts and Wynter faced the Mexican pair of Cardoso and Vazquez, and while repelling a first game scare of 22-20 they were able to ease to a second set win over the Mexicans at 21-14.

In their next match-up Ricketts and Wynter faced Americans Fogarty and Zhong. The Jamaicans pushed the Americans to the limit in the first game but went down 20-22, and although they pushed hard in the second game, the Americans prevailed 16-21.

In his singles event Samuel brushed aside Mexican De La Torre 21-16, 21-8 in his first match. He was also able to get by Portuguese Nuno Anjo 21-19, 21-8 in his second match. Samuel’s acid test came in his third match when he faced Guatemalan Anibal Marroquin. Ricketts played a gutsy game although going down 17-21, 21-23 in his third and final match in this discipline.

In her singles event Katherine had to dig deep on two occasions to get by her rivals on reaching the quarterfinals. Katherine surged by American Ariel Lee 18-21, 21-15, 21-9 and Mexican De La Torre Martinez 14-21, 21-14, 21-19. Katherine then found the going rough against Canadian Daniela Macias going down 13-21, 21-6. Katherine has been playing against the men at local tournaments and this seems to be bearing fruit. The next major local tournament will be the All Jamaica Championships set for October 21-22 and 28-29.