12 May 2019
Bethell gets perfect injury comeback as he wins in Canada
Outstanding in Ottawa
Dan Bethell returned from injury in style to beat reigning world champion Ukun Rakaendi and win the YONEX Canada Para-Badminton International.
The 23-year-old saw off the Indonesian world number two in the final of the competition on the other side of the Atlantic, to claim his first title in Paralympic qualifying year.
It was a mesmeric run to the title for Bethell, from Huntingdon, as he also dispatched world number one Pramod Bhagat.
The semi-final clash with the Indian player ended 19-21 21-14 22-20 to the Brit, despite him just returning from a five-month injury lay off.
Bethell’s title was not the only one for GB Para-Badminton in Ottawa, as world champion Jack Shephard returned to winning ways to take the SS6 crown.
The 21-year-old from Chesterfield beat Chun Yim Wong in three games before defeating Man Kai Chu 16-21 21-19 21-17.
The latter had been crowned Turkish International champion back in January when Shephard took home bronze.
There was also a podium appearance GB’s leading WH2 wheelchair star Martin Rooke, who won bronze.
Rooke, now fourth in the world, was beaten by world number two Ho Yuen Chan who was named eventual champion after handing Jung Jun Kim a rare defeat.
**PICTURE CREDIT: @ParabadmintonGB **
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