The 4th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2022 came to a close with a colourful ceremony with Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan and South Koreans Kwon Hyunah emerging on top of the championships winning three gold medals each at the Shabab Al Ahli Club on Sunday.
Setiawan, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics bronze medallist, first partnered with Khalimatus Sadiyah to defeat Taiyo Imai and Noriko Ito from Japan 21-11, 18-21, 21-7 in mixed doubles SL3-SU5 final, before producing an impressive show in the men’s singles SL4 final. Sadiyah also took the gold in women’s SL4 beating Haruka Fujino 21-13, 21-18.
Setiawan overcame a second game scare from India’s Tarun Dhillon to pull off a surprise 21-11, 9-21, 23-21 win in the men’s singles final. Later, he combined with Dwiyoko Dwiyoko to win the men’s doubles match against fellow Indonesians Himmat Ramdani and Ukun Rukaendi 21-18, 21-16.
“Even though I was trailing in the third game, I kept believing in my abilities. I tried to focus on one point at time and this worked for me. I don’t see any one player as top player in my category; when I play they all are equal for me. My main focus for now is to improve my physical strength in my training,” said the 30-year-old who aims for the gold in ASEAN Para Games and World Championships.
Meawhile, Korean women’s wheelchair shuttler Hyunah took three gold medals in women’s singles WH1, women’s doubles WH1-WH2 and mixed doubles WH1-WH2. Hyunah defeated Switzerland’s Cynthia Mathez 21-12, 21-19.
Egyptian Shaimaa Samy Abdellatif was delighted to receive the women’s singles WH1 bronze medal, promising to come back stronger in upcoming events.
As many as 22 gold medal matches were played on the day with Indonesia collecting most number of 6 gold medals, followed by Korea (5) who also had Choi Jungman taking two gold medals in men’s singles WH1 and men’s doubles WH1-WH2. India too had their share of golden moments picking up five gold medals thanks to the efforts of top shuttlers Pramod Bhagat and Manasi Joshi besides promising Manisha Ramadass, who claimed two gold in women’s singles SU5 and women’s doubles SL3-SU5.
Hong Kong’s Paralympic silver silver medallist Chu Man Kai took the men’s singles SH6 and men’s doubles SH6 gold medal, while his compatriot Cho Ho Yuen, Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, had to settle for the silver after fighting for 56 minutes against Japan’s Paralympic champion Daiki Kajiwara 21-16, 5-21, 19-21.
“I am happy with the way I played. But I will go back home and work on my defensive tactics. Its tough to beat Daiki, he is very fast and comes back strongly,” said the 37-year-old Yuen.
Two gold for Hong Kong’s Man Kai and Malaysia’s Cheah
Malaysia’s Cheah Liek Hou took two titles in the men’s singles SU5 and men’s doubles SU5 finals. “These two winning titles will motivate me to continuously train for upcoming events,” he said.
Among the prominent names who graced the closing ceremony were: Major General Mohammad Ahmad Rafi, Assistant Commander for Administrative Affairs-Dubai Police; Ghazi Al Madani, secretary general of UAE Badminton Federation; Mr. Ian Wright, Director of Development department at Badminton World Federation and Viktor Axelsen, World No. 1 Badminton player; Fazza Championships President H.E. Thani Juma Berregad and Director of Championships Majid Al Usami among others.
Established in 1993, Dubai Club for People of Determination named “Best Club” in 2013 within Dubai Sports Excellence Awards sponsored by Dubai Sports Council. Dubai Club for People of Determination aims to rehabilitate the people of determination both physically and mentally to play their developmental role in the community in sports, cultural and social fields. The Club spared no efforts to devote all available capabilities to members depending on their disabilities