The tournament showcased incredible talent across all categories, including Gronya Somerville, who competed in both Mixed Doubles and Women’s Doubles.
Gronya and Sin emerged victorious in Mixed Doubles with precision and teamwork. “We knew it would be a tough game; they’re both strong players. We focused on staying on the attack and playing solid mixed doubles,” said Gronya. Sin added, “Both of us will also compete in Men’s and Women’s Doubles, so starting the tournament strong was our goal.”
Teamed up with Angela Yu, Gronya delivered another stellar performance in Women’s Doubles. Both Olympians brought their A-game to the finals. “It’s been a long day, but we stayed focused on keeping our matches quick and sharp,” Gronya remarked.
Sidney shone in Women’s Singles title with a composed and confident performance. “I think the game went well. I get plenty of rest the night before, which helped a lot. I just went out there to do my best, and have fun,” she shared.
Men’s Singles champion Ong Ken Yon reflected on his challenging final match, “The opener was really fast for me, but today’s match was tough. I’m looking forward to next year and am already excited to register again.”
The Men’s Doubles final was one of the event’s highlights, featuring a nail-biting match with Rizky and Frengky securing back-to-back titles. Competing against international stars Sin Hei Lau and Australian players’ Kenneth Choo, they stayed composed under pressure. “This year was tougher with more international players, which made it really exciting. We stayed focused and brought our best,” the duo shared.
Para Badminton champion Mischa Ginns summed up the camaraderie and excitement of the event, “It was fantastic to see so many para badminton players together. Playing six matches today was exhausting but so much fun.”
Fellow para-badminton winner Qambar Ali praised the event while suggesting areas for future improvement, “It was quite nice. However, we only have one court. Sometimes the access – it could be better. But overall my feedback is positive – what Badminton Victoria is currently doing is fantastic. Personally, I think there is more that Badminton Victoria can do for individual players in Victoria.”
Beyond the court
The Victorian Open and Para Badminton Championships were more than just a showcase of elite competition. The events connected past players, clubs, and community members, fostering an inclusive and celebratory atmosphere of the sport.
Thanks go to Andrew and Protech for their unwavering support throughout the Victorian Open and Para Open, elevating these tournaments to new heights.
Gumbuya brought smiles to young players with free passes, inspiring the next generation of badminton stars and emphasizing the family-friendly nature of the sport.
Special shoutout to AIA who also supports the community with social media competition that connected fans with the tournament and celebrated their favorite players.
We were also honored to welcome some of our esteemed past players and their families, whose presence added a special touch to the event: Judy Nyirati, Tracey Ritchie (née Smalls), Don Corey, Trevor Armstrong, Terry Lees, Risto Lindberg, Murray Hocking, Kellie Lucas, Sarah Postil (née Hicks), Peter Blackburn, Wendy Shinners, Erin Walklate (née Carroll), Ross Smith, Rayoni Nelson (née Head), and Eugenia Tanaka.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to Ross, Marty, and Barbara Smith—the family of Lois Smith (née Bates)—for joining us. Your presence was truly appreciated and made this event even more memorable.
Looking ahead
The 2024 Protech Victorian Open & Para Badminton Championships and U13/U15 Invitational were a testament to the talent, community, and passion that drive badminton in Victoria. As BV reflects on a year of remarkable achievements, the focus remains on building on this momentum and fostering even greater connections within the badminton community in 2025 and beyond.
