By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Tuesday, September 18 2012

NATIONAL Singles champion, Rahul Rampersad and Doubles partner Justin Siu were crowned champions of the inaugural Trinidad and Tobago Badminton Association (TTBA) Open Doubles tournament, which served off at the Central Regional Indoor Sporting Arena, Chaguanas, on Saturday.

The local combination blew past compatriots Anil Seepaul and Miling Ogale in straight sets of the championship match.

In the opening game, Rampersad/ Siu fought valiantly to the end to grab a 21-18 advantage.

The duo sealed the tournament’s first-ever title with another 21-18 win over Seepaul/ Ogale in the second game.

In their previous matches, the newly crowned champions got past national Under-19 male title holder Matthaus Wilford and budding player Jason Ramjass 21-10, 21-14 and the team of Roger Moore/ Mark Springer 21-15, 21-12.

Even though Seepaul and Ogale received silver, their journey to the final also saw them defeat Wilford/ Ramjass 21-11, 21-13 and Moore/ Springer 21-15, 21-12. Moore and Springer went on to grab bronze while Wilford and Ramjass held on to fourth place.

The inaugural event was held as a one-day tournament and entailed “Round Robin” and “Knockout” divisions.