Vendy makes it a hat-trick of golds as the curtain comes down on the UK School Games

SEAN Vendy admitted he had to pinch himself after he swept the badminton board to bring the curtain down on the Sainsbury’s UK School Games in Sheffield.

THREE’S THE MAGIC NUMBER: Sean Vendy and Brodie Miller celebrate their mixed doubles gold, Vendy’s third and final title at the Sainsbury’s UK School Games

The 15-year-old was never far away from the podium at the English Institute of Sport on Sunday, getting the ball rolling by beating Scotland’s Josh Neil in the boys singles final.

But he wasn’t done there, returning to the table alongside Ben Lane to win the boys double, before rounding off a great weekend with victory in the mixed doubles alongside Brodie Miller.

And despite claiming the hat-trick, Vendy insists he is far from done with the competitions coming thick and fast.

“I’m pretty speechless to be honest,” he said. “I came here not expecting anything really being a year younger than most other players.

“I just wanted to play well and do the best that I could and see what happens. I didn’t expect three golds at all.

“Next weekend I’ve got an English U17 tournament in Milton Keynes, I’m not expecting anything in that but we’ll see what happens. – especially after this great result.

“I think this competition is amazing with all the courts and umpires, they do such a good job here in Sheffield, you don’t get it everywhere but it gives you a real insight into what it would be like further up.

“The atmosphere is good too even if it’s a bit shocking at the start but you get used to it after a while.

“A medal at the Olympics is my highest ambition. I want to be a professional badminton player, but we’ll see what happens, although this does give me a lot of confidence.”

Brodie also took a Silver in the Girls doubles.  Unfortunately Harrison Simcock damaged his finger before the individual events and had to pull out of the boys singles.  Some how he still managed to hold his racket and pick up a Bronze medal in the boys doubles.

Harrison, Sean and Brodie were also part of the England team which took the Silver medal in the Team event.

Medals:

Sean Vendy – Gold – Boys Singles – Gold – Boys Doubles – Gold Mixed Doubles – Team – Silver

Harrison Simcock – Bronze – Boys Doubles – Team – Silver

Brodie Miller – Girls Doubles – Silver – Mixed Doubles – Gold – Team – Silver

Total – 4 x Gold – 4 x Silver – 1 x Bronze

  Posted by Manny on Monday, September 5th, 2011
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Tags: Brodie Miller, Harrison Simcock, Sean Vendy