Net gains
2017 NHSG Badminton Tournament features strong performances from area athletes
New London, NH: Hard fought rallies on the singles, doubles and mixed doubles courts highlighted the 2017 New Hampshire Senior Games Annual Badminton Tournament, held recently at Colby-Sawyer College.
“I enjoy all aspects of the sport,” said Wicky Chan of Nashua. The 53-year old plays regularly in a club in Massachusetts and looks for competitive events outside of his regular playing group. “This is a wonderful tournament,” he said. “There are some excellent players here and it’s been fun to meet people and compete.”
Mr. Chan’s doubles partner, Larry Lo of Westwood, MA, shared that he plays for exercise and the competition. “It really is a fun game,” he said. “I like the strategy of the sport. Many times, you are thinking several shots ahead with the goal of getting your opponent out of position so you can win the point.”
Stu Goldstein of Dunbarton picked up Badminton after playing tennis for several years. The 59-year-old teaches physical fitness and coaches gymnastics. He
competes in several NH Senior Games events in addition to Badminton, among them Track and Field, Racquetball and Pickleball. “I’ve been active my whole life,” he said. “I started competing in the senior games when I turned 50 and it’s been a wonderful outlet. The competitions are always fun and the social aspect of this is amazing.
The tournament feature athletes from New Hampshire and across New England, including Rich Garant, a 61-year-old postal worker from Bangor, ME. “I’m having a blast,” he said. “I’ve been playing since 2008 and we don’t have Badminton in the Maine Senior Games, so I came down here.”
NHSG Volunteer and Board Member Larry Flint, lauded the field and local supporters. “The New London Badminton Club is very active locally in creating opportunities for players. They also provide lunch each year at this event.”
2017 NH Senior Games Badminton Tournament Medalists included:
Female category (singles)
60-64 age group
Gold Medal: Marcia Morgan, Manchester, NH
65-69 age group
Gold Medal: Elisabeth Sopka, Boston, MA
70-74 age group
Gold Medal: Andy Bourn, Meredith, NH
Male category (singles)
45-49 age group
Gold Medal: Raj Kumble, Andover, MA
50-54 age group
Gold Medal: Larry Lo, Westwood, MA; Silver Medal: Wicky Chan, Nashua, NH
55-59 age group
Gold Medal: Dave Chan, Belmont, MA; Silver Medal: Stu Goldstein, Dunbarton, NH
60-64 age group
Gold Medal: Peter Smith, Lee, NH
65-69 age group
Gold Medal: Mark Rynearson, Goffstown, NH; Silver Medal: Vic Field, Bristol, NH
70-74 age group
Gold Medal: Bland Addison, Worcester, MA
Male category (doubles)
40-44 age group
Gold Medal: Weike Yao, Boston, MA & Rich Garant, Bangor, ME
45-49 age group
Gold Medal: Raj Kumble, Andover, MA & Steve Yang, Nashua, NH
50-54 age group
Gold Medal: Larry Lo, Westwood, MA & Wicky Chan, Nashua, NH
65-69 age group
Gold Medal: Vic Field, Bristol, NH & Peter Garre, New London, NH
70-74 age group
Gold Medal: Bland Addison, Worcester, MA & Peter Smith, Lee, NH
Mixed doubles
60-64 age group
Gold Medal: Peter Smith, Lee, NH & Elisabeth Sopka, Boston, MA
Silver Medal: Mark Rynearson, Goffstown, NH & Marcia Morgan, Manchester, NH
65-69 age group
Gold Medal: Vic Field, Bristol, NH & Andy Bourn, Meredith, NH
Mark Rynearson served as venue manager for the tournament.
The 2017 New Hampshire Senior Games continue through Labor Day and receive support from major sponsor Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Supporting sponsors include: John Castelot Financial Planning, Lamprey Health Care and Havenwood-Heritage Heights. To learn more or register for upcoming events, please visit www.nhseniorgames.org.
About the New Hampshire Senior Games
The mission of the Granite State Senior Games, Inc. (GSSG) is to promote, organize and effectively develop physical challenges, as they relate to the New Hampshire senior athlete and the 50+ population of the state of New Hampshire, undertake related activities benefitting the well-being of adults as appropriate and focusing on the development of active and healthy lifestyles. Our mission is accomplished by encouraging fitness and by providing athletic competition in a variety of sports, clinics and creative pursuits.
Founded in 1987, Granite State Senior Games, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) and New Hampshire Registered Public Charity all volunteer sports and fitness organization governed by a Board of Directors. The Granite State Senior Games' (GSSG's) sporting events are known as the New Hampshire Senior Games (NHSG). We are New Hampshire’s premier multi-sport event for the 50+ population. NHSG is the only New Hampshire organization in the state to be sanctioned by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) to qualify senior athletes for participation in the National Senior Games held every other year in odd-numbered years. To learn more, please visit www.nhseniorgames.org.