The ISF (International School Sport Federation) Gymnasiade 2024 concluded in Bahrain on Thursday 30 October with Chinese Taipei enjoying success in the team and individual events.
The event was part of the International School Sports Games, which consisted of 26 sport competitions from 23 to 30 October 2024.
The badminton competition, which began on 25 October, also saw a Para badminton tournament and developmental initiatives from BWF, including Shuttle Time Youth Leadership Workshop, sessions on Dual Career, AirBadminton, and an inclusive community tournament.
Ayyappan brothers Dhiren and Dev won the men’s doubles gold
The team event (25-25 October) was played using the relay scoring format, and saw 16 teams taking part, including two teams each from Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (Team 1 and Team 2), besides Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, India, Quebec, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Uganda and Ukraine. Each tie was played for 75 points, with each match (men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles) played for 15 points.
China, UAE Team 1, Chinese Taipei and Quebec topped their respective groups A, B, C and D, after which the top two teams of each group made the quarterfinals draw.
China were tested by Turkiye in the quarterfinals (75-63), while Chinese Taipei had a hard time getting past UAE Team 1 in the semifinals (75-63. In the clash between the two Asian powerhouses in the final, China led for the most part, with the fourth match (women’s doubles) starting with them 15 points ahead. However, Chen Liang-Ching and Chen Yan-Fei narrowed the gap, and Chinese Taipei edged China in the final stretch 75-68 with the mixed doubles pair of Chou Yu Hsiang/Sun Liang-Ching taking them to victory.
Para badminton singles medallists
Chinese Taipei also claimed two gold medals in the individual event, through Cheng Ju-Sheng in men’s singles and Chen Yan-Fei/Chen Liang-Ching in women’s doubles.
UAE had cause to celebrate as they had an excellent outing in both the team and individual events. Ayyappan brothers Dev and Dhruv won the men’s doubles gold beating compatriots Bharath Latheesh and Dev Vishnu, while in women’s doubles, sisters Mysha Omer Khan/Taabia Khan finished runners-up. Dhiren Ayyappan/Taabia Khan were among the semifinalists in mixed doubles.
China enjoyed success in women’s singles through Zhao Xianwen, who beat Ukraine’s Mariia Koriahina, while in mixed doubles, and in mixed doubles gold through Wang Xinran/Zeng Zixuan, who beat compatriots Liu Yifan/Liu Zhiyan.
In the Para badminton competition, Sinan Asif of UAE won a double. Asif took singles gold with an all-win record from his four matches, while in doubles, Asif and Ebrahim Samqa (Bahrain) took the title.
Highlights of BWF Development Programmes:
BWF Development programme
» Badminton module (Shuttle Time) at ISF International Certificate for PE Teachers
» Shuttle Time and AirBadminton introductory session at the ISF Head of Delegation/Coaches virtual seminar
» Shuttle Time introductory session at the Educational Workshop in Manama – approximately 50 PE teachers and three local badminton volunteers participated
» AirBadminton Come & Try at the Fun & Skills Zone
» Player Education & Dual Career information session delivered to 150+ students
Youth Leadership Workshop delivered for 38 badminton students
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