Singles success for Ava in North of Scotland U17 championships
Ava Cook was victorious in the girls’ singles in the 2025 North of Scotland junior U17 championships.
The 15-year-old was one of three players from Caithness Junior Badminton Club taking part in the event in Aberdeen. The others were Sophie Mackay (11) and Matthew Cook (14).
Sophie overcame Shetland’s Lacey Work 21-15, 21-18 to secure her a place in the semi-finals of the girls’ singles where she faced top seed Riya Bhaskar. The older and stronger Riya took the win 21-9, 21-12.
Ava, the second seed, overcame Josie Columbine 21-9, 21-12 to see her into the semi-finals where she played Maia Baker, with Ava winning in three sets.
She won the first 21-11, lost the second 22-20, then took the third 21-12 to progress to the final against Riya Bhaskar, with Ava coming out on top 21-13, 21-19.
Matthew played Chetan Karimilla, the fourth seed, in the first round of the boys’ singles and lost 21-9, 21-13. This placed him in the consolation event where he played Ross Loudon in the quarter-finals and was beaten 21-11.
Sophie paired up with Parineeta Roy in the girls’ doubles and they finished second in their group after winning one of their two games. Ava paired up with Isla Fraser from the Western Isles and they ended up third in their group, losing all their games.
In the mixed doubles Sophie played with Yingfan Wang and Ava and Matthew played together, with both pairings reaching the semi-finals.
Sophie and Yingfan played Ross Loudon and Nikita Gupta and it went to three sets. Sophie and Yingfan took the first 15-10, then lost the second and third 15-8 and 15-10 respectively.
Ava and Matthew took on Murray Hogg and Maia Baker, with Murray and Maia winning 15-11, 15-10.
Kerry Mackenzie of Caithness Junior Badminton Club said: “Well done to all three players, and many thanks to the organisers for arranging a good event.”
