Bedford School’s Badminton U16 and U14 teams enjoyed double success with Gold and Silver at the East Region Round of the National Inter Schools Badminton Championships.
On Monday 20 March, the U14 team – Josha Mital, Finlay Cumings, Arin Mital and Ashlesh Chandrapu – won their group after defeating Colchester Royal Grammar (Essex) 5 – 0 and Culford (Suffolk) 3-2. Unfortunately, the boys could not repeat their winning streak in the final; losing to Richard Hale School (Herts) 1-4 to take the silver medal.
The following day was the turn of the U16 team – Alvin Choi, Oliver Medley, Leon Zhu and Edric Yeung – who also won their group by beating King Edward’s Grammar School (Essex) 3-2 and Neale Wade School (Cambs) 5-0.
The boys then faced J.H. Newman School (Herts) in the final; a school with a strong record in the competition and finals places for the last two years. The exciting match came down to the final doubles match, which Leon Zhu and Oliver Medley won by 21 points to 19 to take the match and the regional title. The boys, who remained calm under pressure and supported each other throughout the tournament, are now looking forward to the national final in May at Milton Keynes National Badminton Centre. This will be the second consecutive year that Leon Zhu and Oliver Medley have competed in the national finals.
Congratulations to all the boys on their superb achievements.