The XXIX Open Festes de Maó badminton tournament in Menorca showcased a commanding generational shift across all divisions, as rising youth standouts matched titles with established veterans during a competitive weekend on the Balearic island, according to reports from local sports coverage.
Carlos Riudavets and Gimena Cárdenas Claim Multiple Titles
Top seed Carlos Riudavets confirmed his status in the men’s singles draw by capturing the championship title at the Menorca tournament, defeating Andreu Preto in the final, as reported by deportesmenorca.com. Josep Martínez and Eric Melià rounded out the podium as semifinalists. Riudavets did not stop there, returning to the court later in the day to partner with his singles final opponent, Andreu Preto. The newly formed duo defeated Rishi Malhotra and Eric Navarro in the men’s doubles final to secure Riudavets’ second title of the event.
In the women’s singles bracket, Gimena Cárdenas navigated a competitive field to claim the crown, overcoming Gemma Capella in the title match. Irene Felipe and Marina Sintes shared third-place honors after reaching the semifinal round. Cárdenas matched Riudavets’ multi-title achievement by teaming up with Alba Pérez in the women’s doubles draw. The pair defeated Lucía Armendáriz and Gemma Capella in the final, cementing Cárdenas’ status as one of the standout competitors of the weekend.
Blending Generations on the Court
Beyond the individual and team trophies, the twenty-ninth edition of the competition stood out for its unique demographic mix, uniting three distinct generations of badminton players under one roof. The tournament brought together long-standing veterans of the local circuit, a firmly consolidated intermediate tier of athletes, and a fresh wave of young prospects capable of challenging for top honors. This dynamic created an environment where players who battled as rivals in singles events frequently united as partners in doubles competition.
That collaborative spirit defined the mixed doubles category, where Eric Melià and Lucía Armendáriz captured the championship after a strong run through the bracket. Carlos Riudavets paired with Madi Garau to finish as runners-up, narrowly missing a third individual title for Riudavets. The semifinal positions in the mixed tournament were filled by the duos of Andreu Preto alongside Cristina Mariscal, and Josep Martínez paired with Esther Seguí.
Tournament Results Summary
- Men’s Singles: Winner: Carlos Riudavets; Runner-up: Andreu Preto; Semifinalists: Josep Martínez, Eric Melià.
- Women’s Singles: Winner: Gimena Cárdenas; Runner-up: Gemma Capella; Semifinalists: Irene Felipe, Marina Sintes.
- Men’s Doubles: Winners: Carlos Riudavets and Andreu Preto; Runners-up: Rishi Malhotra and Eric Navarro.
- Women’s Doubles: Winners: Gimena Cárdenas and Alba Pérez; Runners-up: Lucía Armendáriz and Gemma Capella.
- Mixed Doubles: Winners: Eric Melià and Lucía Armendáriz; Runners-up: Carlos Riudavets and Madi Garau; Semifinalists: Andreu Preto/Cristina Mariscal, Josep Martínez/Esther Seguí.
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