Badminton starlet Kirsty Gilmour to try for Scotland Under-23 title

Apr 22 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BOTHWELL badminton sensation Kirsty Gilmour’s bid to become the youngest Bank of Scotland National Under-23 women’s singles champion starts against Gail Woodburn this weekend.

The 16-year-old has enjoyed staggering success this season with domestic and international triumphs, and victory at under-23 level would sit well with her under-13, 15, 7 (twice) and under-19 (twice) successes.

Three championships take place in one at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, and Mauchline’s Woodburn meets Kirsty in the second round, after Gilmour enjoys a first-round bye.

Ambitious Gilmour is also bidding for success in the doubles, having won the title at under-15 and 19 level, and partners Mauchline’s Kirsten Geals.

Woodburn again bars the way as she and Fiona Archibald from Larkhall take on the top seeds.

Bellshill’s Aaron Graham is also in action in the men’s singles as he starts against favourite Gordon Hoggan from Dunfermline in the second round.

In the men’s doubles second seeds Usman Asif (Glasgow) and Dundee’s Peter Walker face Motherwell’s Chris Hawkins and Matthew Weglicki from East Kilbride in the second round.

At under-13 level Motherwell’s Alex Dunn is top seed in the singles and boys’ doubles, where he will partner Stonehaven’s Mark Leith.

BADMINTONscotland chief executive Anne Smillie said: “There will be a huge amount of talent on display at Meadowbank at the weekend and I can’t wait to see who will emerge as champions.

“It promises to be an exciting two days.”

Susan Rice, managing director for Lloyds Banking Group Scotland, commented: “This weekend’s event will see some of Scotland’s most talented young players converge on Meadowbank and it will be a pleasure to see the likes of Kirsty Gilmour continue their development.”