Badminton Malta recently organised the 37th edition of its Malta National Championships, once again sponsored by EuroSport.

More familiarly known as the “Nationals”, these are the major event in Badminton Malta’s seasonal calendar as they bring together all the top local talents in a unique competition of high-level play.

Since the 27th edition held in 1998, the event has been sub-titled as the “Paddy Stubbs Memorial Championships”, in memory of this well-known philanthropist and sports benefactor.

Played at St. Martin’s College and at the Cottonera Sports Complex, these Championships comprised the traditional five categories: Men’s Singles and Doubles, Ladies’ Singles and Doubles as well as Mixed Doubles.

A preliminary competition started off the Men’s Singles category; this was won by Brian Zammit while defending champion Stefan Salomone and Kenneth Vella contested the Men’s Singles final.

Vella started well by winning the first set 21/13. However, he seemed to gradually run out of steam in front of Salomone’s reaction, with the latter offsetting his initial setback by taking the more balanced second set 21/17.

Salomone maintained his momentum in the decisive third set, which he won 21/7, to claim his fourth national Men’s Singles title.

Maria Borg and Catherine Dimech made it to the Ladies’ Singles final; this also turned out to be another exciting three-set affair.

Borg started well by winning the first set 21/11. However, a determined Dimech reacted promptly and put the match back on an even keel by taking the second one 21/13.

Borg claimed her first national Singles title when she won the decisive third set 21/12.

In the other categories, the Men’s Doubles title was retained by defending champions Robert and Stefan Salomone who defeated Kenneth Vella/David Cole in two sets: 21/18 - 21/17.

The Ladies’ Doubles final saw defending champions Catherine Dimech/Joanne Cassar retain the title for another year after similarly defeating Maria Borg/Fiorella Farrugia in two straight sets: 21/13 - 21/18.

The Mixed Doubles title was won by Stefan Salomone/Fiorella Farrugia at the end of yet another exciting three-set thriller which saw them initially lose the first set 19/21 but then recover to defeat Robert Salomone/Maria Borg 21/17 - 21/16.

The Mixed Doubles title was Stefan Salomone’s third national title in this edition of the National Championships, thereby assigning him the platonic Triple Crown.

Badminton Malta expressed its satisfaction at the high standard of play shown by the numerous participants throughout the Championships. It also thanked EuroSport, St. Martin’s College and the Cottonera Sports Complex for their valid contribution in staging this event.