Three of NWU’s top badminton players showcased their talents in the Benin International Badminton tournament in Cotonou from 18 to 21 August.
Deidré Jordaan, Jarred Elliot and Ruan Snyman performed superbly during this tournament that acted as a preparation tournament for these SA badminton players in their qualifying journey for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Jordaan was outstanding, winning gold with Elliot in the mixed doubles and taking gold in the women’s doubles and silver in the women’s singles.
Elliot won bronze in the men’s doubles, with Snyman winning bronze in the men’s singles event. Snyman expressed his gratitude for being able to compete in these tough events that gave him a chance to qualify for major world events in the future.
“It was an incredible opportunity as we have not had much of a chance to take part in international tournaments in the last few years. I participated in the singles and doubles spell during the tournament and won a bronze medal in both. Like any sports-person, I would have preferred to get the gold but I am proud of my third place and look forward to building on these results and doing even better at the next international tournaments later this year,” he emphasised.
The next big international tournament on the horizon will be the All Africa Continental Cham-pionship in Kampala, Uganda, from 21 to 28 October 2021. 
