Former world eventing champion Ros Canter is within touching distance of a first Badminton Horse Trials title after she conquered punishing cross-country conditions to take pole position.
Lincolnshire-based Canter flourished with Lordships Graffalo – Badminton runners-up behind Laura Collett last year – on a day when many combinations floundered.
Double Olympic medallist Tom McEwen described the stamina-sapping going as “horrific”, and none of the starters threatened to jump clear inside the optimum time.
Canter collected 11.6 time penalties for an overnight score of 33.7, putting her nine penalties clear of Irish challenger Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue, with McEwen’s Olympic team gold medal-winning colleague Oliver Townend third aboard Ballaghmor Class on 45.9.
Canter, who won the world crown in North Carolina five years ago, can afford to have two fences down in Monday’s showjumping finale and still land the £105,000 top prize.
Thirty combinations completed the cross-country test, with almost half the field either being eliminated or deciding to retire.
“It felt hard work in terms of galloping,” 37-year-old Canter said.
“He had to dig deep, but he is so honest and is a fantastic jumper. He is economical with his jumping, and you can’t get much better.
“A horse like him should be celebrated – I have not sat on anything like him before. Tomorrow is another day, but whatever happens, he is a star.”
O’Connor rocketed 32 places up the leaderboard after dressage, adding just 10.8 penalties to his score in pursuit of a crown that has not been won by an Irish rider since Major Eddie Boylan in 1965.
Cork-born O’Connor, who is based in Oxfordshire, said: “The horse was amazing. He is the real deal.
“It was the hardest he has had to try in a five-star event, but he is full of class. I’ve got a great team at home and they have kept him very fit.
“He is one of the best horses in the world, and I am a lot older than I look! I have ridden a lot of cross-country courses in the wet before.”
McEwen, meanwhile, lies fifth on Toledo De Kerser, just behind world number one Tim Price, with Gemma Stevens in sixth and Canter holding seventh spot aboard her second ride Pencos Crown Jewel.
All-Jamaica National Junior Championships set for this weekend, with Seniors to follow
The Jamaica Badminton Association (JBA) is set to stage the All-Jamaica National Junior Badminton Championships, set for Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Kingston YMCA.
This highly anticipated event will showcase the country’s most promising junior badminton talent, with a strong focus on the Under-19 category. The following weekend, on November 23 and 24, Jamaica’s top senior players will take to the court for the All-Jamaica National Open Championships, where they will vie for national titles in an intense knockout competition.
JBA President Vishwanauth Tolan expressed excitement about the event and shared details on ts special highlights.
“The tournament will be held at the Kingston YMCA. National champions will be crowned in each age group and category, and special prizes will be designated for some of the top performances for the year. We will also recognize our honourees Audley Astwood and Marcia Williams, for their long-term support of badminton, and particularly their leadership of the schools’ league competition for the past three decades,” Tolan said.
The JBA president also revealed that there will be a new category will be added to the championship.
“The first weekend will feature the inaugural ‘Rising Shuttler’ category, which will be open to players in the C and D divisions. We will crown the first ever Rising Shuttler Champions.”
The junior championships will feature rising stars in the Under-19 category. On the boys' side, 14-year-old Amir McBean, the reigning Under-15 and Under-17 champion, enters as the top seed. His brother, 17-year-old Jorie McBean, follows as the second seed. Both Amir and Jorie were semifinalists in last year’s Under-19 singles and are poised for a strong showing this year. Among the girls, top seed Jade Ranger, last year’s Under-17 champion and Under-19 finalist, will face Amelia Dawkins in what promises to be a thrilling matchup.
In the doubles events, Daniel Ford and Joseph Morrison are seeded number one in the boys' division, while Jade Ranger pairs with Cassandra Russell as the top seed for the girls. The mixed doubles will see the formidable team of Samuel Smith and Jade Ranger leading the bracket.
For the senior championships on November 23-24, Jamaica’s best badminton talent will compete for national titles. Leading the women’s singles, Tahlia Richardson is anticipated to dominate, while the men’s singles event is set for an exciting showdown between top-ranked Joel Angus and second-ranked Craig Allison, who recently defeated Angus in a tournament final. With a knockout format, the stakes are high as the nation’s elite players battle for top honours.
Looking Ahead to 2025 In addition to the national championships, the JBA is excited to announce plans for an active 2025 season, with the full tournament schedule to be finalized in December. Key events slated for the first quarter include the Schools League Final, Schools Knockout Final, the Tournament of Kings and Queens, and Doubles Mania. Moving into thesecond quarter, the JBA will host the Junior Classics and the Prep/Primary Championship. The summer months will see the association prepare a junior team to represent Jamaica at the CAREBACO Championships and Pan Am Junior Championships.
Successful inaugural badminton summit inspires with holistic approach to athletic success
The inaugural Badminton Summit, held on Saturday, proved a resounding success, drawing in 93 attendees throughout the day and surpassing 100 participants with the inclusion of panelists. The event offered a platform for badminton players, parents, sports professionals, and fans to delve into essential topics related to athlete development, mental health, and personal branding, all within a supportive and interactive setting.
Patrons left the summit equipped with crucial insights into holistic athletic development, covering everything from training, sleep, and nutrition, to the importance of warm-ups and recovery routines. Additionally, the discussions highlighted the mind-body connection, emphasizing the value of setting SMART goals and understanding that anxiety, though often perceived negatively, can be a normal and even beneficial response, indicating genuine interest and engagement.
One of the key lessons from the summit was the importance of mental health management, social media presence, and building a support team to help achieve athletic goals. These insights offered attendees a comprehensive view of what it takes to succeed not only in badminton but in any high-performance sporting environment.
Mariah Ramharack, moderator for the event and a presenter on the popular SportsMax show SportsMax Zone, praised the summit's wide-reaching impact. "Overall, the summit was a success in multiple aspects! Firstly, as the moderator, I must say the turnout was very encouraging and not only limited to badminton players. The age group of the participants ranged from the bright-eyed little boy or girl enthusiastic about sport to their parents, grandparents, and key stakeholders in sport."
Ramharack also commended the summit’s openness, which allowed participants to engage directly with experts, ensuring no questions went unanswered. "At the end of the summit, even I benefited from the fruitful discussions. What I enjoyed most was the openness afforded at the forum—the ability for the participants to ask their questions directly to the experts. In that way, no one left the room with an unanswered question, and each person felt involved in what was happening."
The summit’s sessions were thoughtfully designed to address key aspects of athlete development. The first topic, titled "The Power Play," delved into the importance of effective athlete management, where experts discussed strategies to optimize training and performance while balancing the demands of competitive sports. Following that, "Mind and Muscle: Fueling the Champion Within" explored the mental and physical synergy required to achieve peak performance. Panelists emphasized the importance of the mind-body connection, sharing insights into mental resilience, focus, and the role of physical conditioning in building a champion mindset.
Finally, the session on "Brand You: Crafting Your Legacy Beyond the Court" highlighted the importance of personal branding for athletes, guiding participants on how to build a lasting legacy that extends beyond their sporting achievements. This session covered the effective use of social media to engage fans and attract potential sponsors, as well as strategies for establishing a personal brand that reflects athletes' values and aspirations.
These topics provided attendees with a holistic view of what it takes to succeed both on and off the court, underscoring the importance of mental fortitude, physical preparation, and the ability to create a meaningful impact beyond competition.
The sessions were brought to life by a stellar lineup of speakers, including IAAF World Championship silver medalist Fedrick Dacres, Jamaica Olympic Association Vice President Robert Scott, PFJL CEO Owen Hill, West Indies cricketer Chadwick Walton, and Bruce James, co-founder and President of MVP Track and Field Club. Their experiences and insights gave attendees a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
Ramharack summed up her enthusiasm for the event, expressing her eagerness for future summits: "The topics explored and the choice of panelists per segment were also very impressive. Looking forward to Part Two!"
The success of this inaugural event not only provided valuable lessons for all involved but set the stage for further engagements aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s athletic community and inspiring future champions across sports.
Jamaica Badminton Association launches Badminton Month with inaugural summit to raise the standard of the sport among developing athletes
The Jamaica Badminton Association (JBA) proudly announces the launch of Badminton Month, kicking off with the first-ever Jamaica Badminton Sport Summit on November 9, 2024.
This summit, designed to elevate the performance and knowledge of Jamaica’s aspiring athletes, will set the stage for a month filled with competitive events and educational initiatives aimed at advancing badminton at all levels in Jamaica.
JBA President Vishwanauth Tolan explained the driving force behind the summit, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to athlete development that goes beyond the game itself.
“It’s the first time we are hosting a summit like this. We’ve recognized that many of our athletes lack critical knowledge about the pathways necessary for reaching elite status. Often, young Jamaican players compete well at ages 12 to 14, but by 18, their regional counterparts have taken a different development path that includes essential aspects like brand building, physical and mental preparation, and understanding their roles in the sport,” Tolan said.
He highlighted that the gap between Jamaican athletes and their international peers stems partly from limited awareness among players, coaches, and parents.
“Parents may not realize the level of commitment and strategy required if their child is to become elite. The journey involves more than just weekly practice. For Jamaica to have a competitive presence internationally, we need a comprehensive approach that includes stakeholder support,” he added.
The summit will address critical areas of athlete development, featuring expert-led panel discussions on topics such as personal branding, physical conditioning, and the unique roles of coaches, managers, and family.
Among the featured speakers are Bruce James, who will provide insights into the role of an agent, and Owen Hill, who transformed the Jamaican Premier League, demonstrating how brand-building can attract sponsors.
Romone Robinson, social media influencer, entrepreneur, and former Jamaica national badminton player, and Dr. Patrice Simmonds will also engage participants.
Key sessions at the summit include: “Brand You: Crafting Your Legacy beyond the Field” – Focused on personal branding and social media strategy to enhance athlete visibility.
“Mind and Muscle: Fueling the Champion Within”– Addressing the interconnectedness of mental strength, nutrition, injury prevention, and peak performance.
“Mastering Your Role on the Elite Pathway” – A roadmap for athletes, coaches, agents, and family members to collaboratively build a winning strategy for success.
Jamaican discus silver medalist Fedric Dacres will join the “Mind and Muscle” panel, sharing his personal experiences on the significance of mental toughness and physical conditioning for achieving elite status.
The summit marks the start of an exciting Badminton Month, followed by the All Jamaica National Junior Championships from November 16-17. The All Jamaica National Junior and Open Championships will take place on November 23-24, and the inaugural Super Series Final on December 1, providing athletes at all levels an opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against top talent.
As Jamaica’s official governing body for badminton, the JBA has long been committed to growing the sport and nurturing athletes who aspire to represent Jamaica internationally.
Through initiatives like the Jamaica Badminton Sport Summit, the JBA aims to build a solid foundation for Jamaica’s future stars, positioning the nation as a key competitor on the regional and global badminton stage.
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