Eastern Gauteng's Vigario claims clean sweep at U19 Badminton Nationals

Miguel Vigario delivered a masterclass in dominance at the Badminton South Africa U19 championships in Cape Town, clinching a clean sweep in the boys’ singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.

The Eastern Gauteng Badminton Association (EGBA) rising star showcased his versatility, endurance and skill as he stamped his authority on the national stage with a triple crown performance.

After a relatively easy run in the round-robins and knock-outs, including outplaying second seed Timothy Gabriels 21-8, 21-8 in the semis, the third seed faced his biggest challenge when he went up against his brother, top seed Ricardo.

Miguel won a tight first set 21-19 before closing the game with a 21-14 to win the title.

The siblings then teamed up to win the doubles, beating Misha Bredell and Lourens Schffer 21-14, 21-14 in the final.

The Benonian won his third title of the competition when he paired with provincial teammate Yiwen Li in the mixed doubles.

The duo claimed a straight set victory over Scheffer and his partner Aeryn van Reenen 21-13, 21-19.

Chloe Lai of the Johannesburg District Badminton Association (JDBA) dominated the girls’ section, winning the singles and doubles titles.

Lai claimed a 21-10, 21-19 straight sets victory over Kwazulu-Natal Badminton Association’s (KZNBA) Callista Ramouter in the singles final.

She then teamed up with the EGBA’s Li in the doubles. They beat the Cape Town Badminton Association (CTBA) team of Michelle Ardendorff and Elize Paulus 21-16, 21-18.