Day 1 Recap: 4 Nation Parabadminton International

Jayci Simon and Miles Krajewski completed the first day of matches at this year’s 4 Nations Parabadminton International in Sheffield. With this tournament being a Level 1 tournament, only the top-ranked players in all events were eligible to compete and the exciting matches in played today demonstrated the breadth of talent present in all events.

For Team USA, the day started with an SH6 mixed doubles match against the #7-ranked pair from Thailand. Krajewski and Simon, entering the tournament ranked #9 in the world, played the Thai pair even most of the first game. Thailand won a critical point to go to up 19-17 and held on to win 21-19. In the second, Krajewski and Simon played another close game, exchanging points back and forth before finally coming out on top 22-20 to draw even at one game apiece.

The 3rd game did not start well for the American pair as Thailand went to interval with a commanding 11-3 lead. Despite a valiant effort after the break, the final score of 21-13 gave the match to Thailand. Krajewski and Simon will play #2 ranked Peru in group play on Thursday to salvage a chance to advance to the quarterfinals.

In other first day action, Krajewski played Nilton Quispe Ignacio from Peru in men’s singles, coming out on top 21-12, 21-6. The win should be enough to advance out of Group D and into the quarterfinals. He still has one group match remaining, against the 3/4 seed, Jack Shephard from England.

Also, Simon paired with Yasmina Eissa (Egypt) in their first Women’s Doubles match of the tournament, playing Poland. This was the third match this year between these two pairs and like the previous two, it went to three games. After losing the first, 16-21, Simon and Eissa regrouped and took care of business 21-16 and 21-17 for the win. With only five pairs entered, the USA/Egypt combination will play a full round Robin to determine medal positions.

Play continues on Thursday with mixed doubles, men’s singles, and women’s doubles.

All matches will be live-streamed on the Badminton England YouTube channel

Match results and schedules can be found on Tournament Software.