Faithful to the appointment, since the beginning of the adventure in 2012, the Department has once again supported the Ligue Nouvelle du Badminton Réunion (LNBR) which is organizing the 6th International Badminton Tournament (TIB) at the Champ-Fleuri gymnasium. . From Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 July, 321 matches are on the program for 158 players from clubs across the island and elsewhere. “This tournament was created with the aim of organizing a big badminton party in the Indian Ocean,” indicates Christophe Chenut. Unfortunately, this year we are blocked at the air links level and we were unable to welcome players from the area. But the plateau is raised: we have the privilege of welcoming 5 players from the France team as well as an Indonesian player. Without forgetting the best premises, to name only the number one Reunion, Loïc Bertile ”.
Among the ladies, we can cite among the “nationals”: Marie Batomene (ranked n ° 2 in France and 58th player in the world); Léonice Huet (French n ° 3, 79th in the world); Sharone Bauer (French n ° 4 and 66th in the world) as well as the Indonesian Rosy Pancasari which has been evolving for a year in France where it is n ° 24.
At men’s, Arnaud Merkle n ° 5 in France, 98th in the world and William Villeger, French n ° 3 and 66th in the world also participate in the tournament.
The young Cyprien of the Mountain club is impatient to discover these high-level players at work: “It is a rare event in Reunion. I can’t wait to see them and watch how they play to improve myself afterwards ”. Aged 15, Cyprien has been practicing badminton since 2020. For his very first match at TIB, the young badmaker won with a clear score, 21/3 and 21/8 and appreciates the atmosphere of the competition: “ It’s very well organized and the event is friendly. I will keep fond memories of it regardless of my results, ”he smiles, impatient to push back into the field again.
The morning was devoted to young people. Confirmed players are not left out. Like Bertrand Marimoutou, veteran of the Mountain, too: “We are a small club but we will be present everywhere: with Cyprien among the cadets and, 2 senior players: Julien and Nicolas. This kind of competition can only create excitement for all badminton lovers. For the players, it is important to measure themselves against these players from the France team ”. This is the objective of the LNBR and its president: “We want to give stars in the eyes to all Reunionese badminton enthusiasts who will be able to rub shoulders, discuss and exchange shuttlecocks with the players of the France team. Any competitor wants to play, and meet champions like that. And that’s good: they are very outgoing, accessible and attentive ”. Also with this in mind, Christophe Chenut announces good news: “Next year we will have a world-class competition, we go up a notch with the reception from July 13 to 17, 2022 of players from all over the world, among the 50 best in the world ”.
In the meantime, 110 matches of very good level are on the program this weekend at Champ Fleuri. The talents of the players of the France team are to be discovered from 9am this Saturday. The last day of Sunday will be devoted to the finals. Not to mention the award ceremony from 1 p.m.
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