Cali Team Claims Second Place in National Medal Table

The ‘Cali Elite’ badminton team delivered a stellar performance at the first ‘Valid National Junior Badminton’ competition, held in Buga from February 26 to March 1. The team secured a total of five medals – two gold, two silver, and one bronze – earning them second place in the overall medal standings.

Intense Competition from Across Colombia

The competition featured athletes from several strong badminton regions, including Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Santander, Risaralda, and Quindío. According to coach Jhon Narváez, the matches were exceptionally close.

The competition was extremely close because athletes from different strong departments such as Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Santander, Risaralda and Quindío participated. Jhon Narváez

Medal Winners

• Gold: Luciana Silva – Women’s under-13 singles
• Gold: Ángel Bermúdez and Santiago Vélez – U-15 men’s doubles
• Silver: Luciana Silva and Sara Sua – Under-15 women’s doubles
• Silver: Isaac Polanco – Men’s under-11 singles
• Bronze: Santiago Vélez – Men’s under-15 singles

Dramatic Finals

Narváez highlighted the intensity of the final matches.

In the final, Luciana Silva faced the girl from Cundinamarca and it was one of the most tough matches, in which she won the gold medal. The bronze medal that Santiago Vélez won was likewise very difficult, but the most complicated match was the men’s doubles final, since we went to the third set to win 21-17, with our second gold medal. Very fine results. Jhon Narváez

Future of Badminton in Cali

The success of the ‘Cali Elite’ team underscores the potential for badminton to grow as an Olympic sport within the region. The Corpotes club, a local organization dedicated to badminton, has already achieved championship wins in Cali, the Valle del Cauca, and across Colombia.

FAQ

What is the ‘Cali Elite’ program?

The ‘Cali Elite’ program is a training initiative focused on preparing athletes in various disciplines, including badminton, for competition.

Where was the National Junior Badminton Championship held?

The championship was held in Buga, Colombia, from February 26 to March 1, 2026.

Who is Jhon Narváez?

Jhon Narváez is the coach of the ‘Cali Elite’ badminton team.