Gadi, Castilo banner Yonex badminton

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning champs Antonio Gadi and Gelita Castilo are back to defend their respective titles in the 2011 Yonex-Sunrise Philippines National Open Badminton Championships beginning Nov. 19-27 at the YPBC Club in Mandaluyong City.

Last year’s men’s singles open champion Gadi and Castilo, the defending singles open women’s titlist, are expected to be challenged by a strong field coming from the top badminton clubs/teams in Metro Manila and the provinces.

 Clubs headed by Golden Shuttle Foundation, JLTC, Whackers Badminton Academy (WBA) of Laguna and the MSI Juniors of Malolos, Bulacan, among others will also compete for honors in the event presented by YONEX and JUEGO.

Last year’s Open Ladies singles runner-up Bianca Ysabel Carlos and the comebacking Open men’s doubles champions, Jaime Junio and Alfredo Mailon Jr. and Open mixed doubles champion, Melvin Llanes are also expected to see action.

This annual Yonex-Sunrise Phl tourney on its eighth year is expected to attract 1,700 entries coming from different provinces in the Philippines.

The week-long event will have the open category, juniors (U9 to U19), seniors (19& above, 30& above, 40&above) and inter-collegiate categories.

Qualifying, R64, R32 and R16 round matches are scheduled on Nov 18-24, while quarterfinals, semifinals and finals action will be on Nov 25-27, 2011.

The Yonex-Sunrise Phl tourney takes the pride in being part of the successful badminton careers of a number of top Philippine shuttlers.

The past champions are Olympian Weena Lim, the 2004 Open ladies doubles champ and Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion, the Open mixed doubles champions in 2004,2005 and 2008 editions.

This tournament offers P500, 000 worth of prizes in cash and Yonex items.  

Registration deadline will be on Nov 6, 2011.   For other details, log-on to: http://www.worldkalakal.com/yonexsunrisetourney.

The tournament’s technical committee is headed by Coach Nelson Asuncion (Tournament Director) and Mr. Teody Villaflor (Tournament Referee).