Ramdhani defeats Bajan in online tournament

National and Caribbean champion Priyanna Ramdhani returned to badminton action in an unusual fashion, competing in her living room rather than the court during the Pan Am Home Cup 2020 on Monday last.

The Guyanese maintained her winning ways by defeating Tamisha Williams of Barbados 3- 1 in their quarterfinal matchup. It was her first match in almost five months and she will now face Brittany Tam of Canada in the semis.

According to Pan Am, the online tournament, perhaps the first of its kind, was organised due to the forced hiatus of sports owing to the ongoing global pandemic. The tournament is centered on players completing different challenges for points.

Ramdhani, sharing her thoughts on the format, told Stabroek Sport that she relished the experience and was excited to be back in competitive action.

“It was my first match since March and it was a great experience to participate in the Badminton Pan Am Home-Cup tournament. It was a great way to get back in the competitive mode but over the laptop against my opponent,” she said.

Although she was not able to train in the outdoors, the Guyanese said she wasn’t deterred but maintained her fitness by working out at home and a few gym appointments.

Priyanna Ramdhani

“I have not been able to train on court as often as I would like to because of the pandemic. I have been working out at home doing exercises and I book appointments to go to the gym three times a week. This is safe for athletes because all the equipment are spaced out and sanitized after used. This September I will be able to train again and I am looking forward to be back on court,” Ramdhani explained.