Ryan starts new badminton season with a title win

Ryan JW Quek won the Worcestershire 69th Restricted Tournament held at Tudor Grange Academy in Worcester.

The 18-year-old secured the title after beating the men’s 1st team’s top-seeded player 21-9 and 21-13 in the semi-final. He then beat his opponent 21-8 and 21-12 in the final.

“This is one of the biggest titles of my career,”said Ryan, who studies at Stourbridge College’s Art and Design Centre in Brierley Hill. “I felt I had a good chance of winning, especially as I was the third seed. There was a bit of an expectation on me because I’d been touted as an up and coming junior player.

“I was really pleased with my performance. I felt calm and relaxed throughout the tournament.”

Ryan’s career has continued to thrive over the last 12 months, with highlights including his participation in the main draw of the English National Championships 2015. He also represented the Birmingham Lions Team at the 2015-2016 National Badminton League in Milton Keynes.

“I'd love to pursue a professional career in badminton,”added Ryan, who has played the sport for seven years. “I started playing at Leasowes Junior Club and then at the Aston Stars Club, under their coach, Emmy Bong. I’m now based at the University of Birmingham's West Midlands Performance Centre with Badminton England Under-17s national coach, Lorraine Cole. I train there four or five times a week.

“Badminton is sometimes the inspiration behind my college artwork. It appears in my graphic design work every now and again.

“It can be difficult managing my training with my studies. I have a strict timetable and have to be really organised, but it’s all worth it, especially when I can enjoy something I love and when titles like this come my way.”