This season’s National Junior Championships saw the introduction of the European approved age categories – U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19. This meant that two new age groups, U-15 and U-17, had replaced the U-16 category.

Games were spread over nine days as 40 players took up the challenge to grab the top spots.

This season new champions emerged with the likes of Owen Grech (picture) and Yanika Polidano clinching the respective singles titles in the U-19 competition.

Impressively, Grech nailed the Triple Crown when partnering Matthew Abela and Paula Gambin, as Polidano, still 14 years old, also managed to lay her hands on a first U-19 national title, making her the youngest winner in this group.

Gambin sisters, Paula and Maria Angela, also took home their first titles in doubles and mixed doubles tournaments.

Abela stood out in the U-17 category. In fact, following his success in the doubles, he also completed a treble when teaming up with younger brother Mark in the doubles and Martina Vella in the mixed.

In the girls’ events, Sarah Fava bagged two titles, singles and doubles. In the latter competition she was partner to Cheryl Gilford.

Matthew Galea ensured the U-15 trophy stayed on his shelf at home for a second year running and in the doubles it was Sam Cassar who bagged two titles, linking up with Mark Abela and then Gilford in the mixed.

Fava, registered her second title in the singles and doubles, partnered again by Gilford.

New champions were also crowned in the Under-13 competition.

In the boys’ singles, Isaac Axisa laid his hands on the title he narrowly lost last year and Lauren Sciberras claimed her first titles in the tournament for girls.

Jordan Abela/Jeremy Dimech were the champions in the boys’ doubles tournament.

During a presentations ceremony, held at ir-Razzett l-Antik, Badminton Malta distributed trophies and medals to the various winners along with the most promising players’ awards which went to Sam Cassar and Michaela Ellul.

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