An Antigonish native is a world silver-medalist in badminton.
Kevin O’Keefe and his playing partner (and wife) Tami Parks were runners-up in the mixed doubles classification last month in the 2018 World Medigames in Malta.
The couple dropped a close best-of-three match-up in the championship to their close friends Atul Biniwali and Sigi Weckschmied.
“We won the first game, convincingly, but our opponents made some key changes and we were not able to adjust enough,” O’Keefe wrote in an email.
As described on its website – medigames.com – the World Medical and Health Games have become the most famous world health event open to members of the medical and health professions, since its inception in 1978.
Six age categories participate in more than 20 sports, with athletes coming from more than 70 countries.
More than 1,000 medals are awarded each year.
O’Keefe also teamed with Biniwali to capture the doubles’ crown, while the duo battled in the 55+ championship, with Biniwali coming out on top.
Parks, well-known in Antigonish badminton circles as a competitor and coach, won the discus in her age group, along with silver in ladies’ doubles badminton, shot put and powerlifting events.
She holds the provincial age group discus record, one set in the 2017 World Medigames in Marseille, France.
“It was an awesome event, where there was not only fun competition, but we also saw old friends and made new ones,” O’Keefe said.
