Malta Badminton crown junior champions

The 2024 Malta Junior National Badminton Championships wrapped up last Sunday with games across several age categories.

Dayle Bugelli, Julia Galea, Jeremy Mark Gatt, Martina Clark, and Thomas Saliba stood out as some of the most successful athletes of the tournament, winning more than one category.

In the youngest bracket, Jade Bartoli won the Girls’ Singles under-11 category. She had the better of Hailey Vella and Katrika Grima.

The under-13 category was dominated by Julia Galea and Dayle Bugelli, both winning their respective singles titles and later pairing up in the Mixed Doubles.

Galea swept the girls’ singles final with a commanding 21-11, 21-9 victory over Julia Saliba.

In the Boys’ Singles, Bugelli won 21-6, 21-3 over Matias Casaru. Galea and Bugelli then teamed up and proved an unbeatable team in Mixed Doubles, winning 21-5, 21-8 in their final match.

The under-15 category featured competitive matches in all rounds with some matches decided over three games.

Ultimately, Monique Monika Vella won the Girls’ Singles after overcoming the challenge of Julia Galea, 21-9, 21-7.

In the Boys’ Singles, Thomas Saliba outplayed Julian Zammit to secure the title, and the pair joined forces in Boys’ Doubles to claim another win.

Meanwhile, in th Mixed Doubles, Jake Farrugia and Emma Bartoli displayed excellent teamwork, clinching the championship with a 21-5, 21-9 final scoreline against Dayle Bugelli and Julia Galea.

In the under-17 division, Martina Clark dominated the category, winning both the Girls’ Singles and teaming up with Jade Fenech to take the Doubles title.

Clark defeated Jodie Ann Gafa’ Craus in singles with a steady 21-10, 21-10.

Jeremy Mark Gatt, another standout performer, took the Boys’ Singles title and later paired with Clark to win the Mixed Doubles, defeating Thomas Saliba and Suzie May Gafa’ Craus in the final.

Competing in a higher age group, Jeremy Mark Gatt continued his winning streak, taking the Boys’ Singles title in the under-19 category, making him one of the most successful players of the tournament with multiple titles.

The 2024 Malta Junior National Badminton Championships highlighted some of Malta’s most promising young athletes.

Owen Grech, president of Badminton Malta, expressed his satisfaction with the event, highlighting the high level of participation and the quality of play throughout the tournament.

He noted that the performances were a clear indication of the athletes’ development and passion for the sport.

Grech emphasised that this enthusiasm provides a strong foundation for the growth of badminton in the country, suggesting a bright future for the sport in Malta.