Ashley Khalil wins the 60th Independence Badminton Open Women’s Title after a 19-year hiatus
Ashley Khalil makes a play during her women’s Badminton final on Sunday
Ashley Khalil made a remarkable return to competitive badminton after 19 years, capturing the Women’s Singles title at the 60th Independence Badminton Open on Sunday at the National Gymnasium.
Khalil battled against the talented Mishka Beharry in a fiercely competitive final. Both Khalil and Beharry traded shots and defensive plays as momentum shifted back and forth between their racquets. Khalil took the first set 21-14 and seemed poised for a straight set victory. However, the resilient Beharry regrouped and leveled the match by winning the second set 21-16. In the deciding set, Khalil outlasted Beharry to win the set 21-14 and claim the Women’s Singles title.
The achievement was made even more impressive by the fact that moments before stepping onto the badminton court for the final, Khalil had been competing at the National Racquet Centre against Nicolette Fernandes in the final of the 60th Independence Squash Tournament, where she finished as runner-up.
Over the course of the four-day tournament weekend, Khalil balanced multiple matches across both badminton and squash while travelling repeatedly between venues and competing at the highest level in both sports. Saturday alone consisted of seven matches between the two tournaments.
Khalil’s victory marked a full-circle moment in a sporting journey that began with extraordinary promise. At just 14 years old, she became the only athlete in Guyana’s history to win the Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 National Junior titles in both squash and badminton in the same year, an achievement that earned her the Junior Sportswoman of the Year award.
Speaking after the victory on Sunday, Khalil described the moment as “bittersweet.”
“I am obviously proud of the achievement and grateful to still be able to compete at this level after so many years away from the sport. Returning to badminton after almost two decades reminded me of the love I always had for the game and the path I once hoped to pursue as a young athlete.
While there were opportunities that did not materialise along the way, this experience has given me a renewed sense of purpose beyond competition itself. Through the formation of the Demerara Badminton Club and my continued involvement in sport, I hope to help create an environment where athletes feel supported, respected, and given fair opportunities to develop and succeed. I want young athletes to believe that their passion and potential should never be limited by circumstance or unfair treatment.”
Khalil also reflected on the physical demands of the weekend, particularly having to compete in the badminton final shortly after her squash final.
“It was not easy. It reminded me of when I was younger competing in both sports. I relied heavily on my fitness and tried not to put any extra pressure on myself heading into the final. I just wanted to go out there, compete freely, and enjoy being back on the badminton court again,” Khalil said.
Khalil will now shift her focus to the upcoming Senior Squash Nationals, scheduled to commence in approximately two weeks leaving this tournament with far more than a title. After 19 years away from badminton, she returned not only to win, but to remind herself and others that talent does not disappear, resilience does not fade, and a true love for sport can survive silence, setbacks, and the passage of time.
