Dubai: Jack Shephard and Krysten Coombs, England’s world champions, kept a course of meeting in the final on the opening day of the Fazza Dubai Para-Badminton International 2018 at Shabab Al Ahli Dubai’s indoor stadium, on Thursday.
Crowned world champion in the singles at the 20017 Para-Badminton World Championships in Ulsan, South Korea, Shephard easily won both his matches in the SS6 class in Group A, while his doubles partner Coombs also notched two wins from two outings in Group B of the men’s competition.
Shephard first brushed aside Ireland’s Niall McVeigh 21-13, 21-3 and then got the better of India’s Sunil Pradhan 21-3, 21-5 in just 14 minutes to maintain a winning record. His teammate and countryman Coombs was equally lethal as he first beat Peru’s Hector Jesus Salva 21-12, 21-7 and then had to dig in deep before defeating India’s Raja Magotra 21-15, 21-11 in 20 minutes in a well-contested match.
“The first step is to ensure we both reach the final in our division,” Shephard told Gulf News.
“I have won three international titles in-a-row and the idea now is to win a fourth one and keep the momentum go-ING. Another gold medal in the singles and I think I will be primed for a second gold in the doubles with Coombs,” he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mohammad Abdul Karim Julfar, vice-chairman of the Organising Committee opened the competition while welcoming the players and officials to the inaugural edition of this event. A total of 122 players from 23 countries are participating in this event that is scheduled to be elevated as a rankings competition towards qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, where the sport is due to make its debut as a Paralympic sport.
Hosted by the Dubai Club for People of Determination (DCPD), the UAE’s challenge too wilted on the opening day with the mixed doubles pair of Salama Al Khatri and Mohammad Al Zarouni losing all three games. Al Zarouni later combined with Rashid Mohammad in the men’s doubles, but with very little success.
“This is a huge learning experience for all of us,” Al Zarouni admitted.
“This competition is at a very high level with the presence of world champions. Our idea is to represent our country and see how far we need to progress on the international stage. There is a lot to learn by merely taking part here,” he added.
This is the inaugural edition of the Fazza Dubai Para-Badminton International 2018 that is scheduled to act as a rankings competition leading to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Matches will be held daily from 9am and conclude by 6pm with the finals of all categories being held on April 15.
