Yasmine Hamza has found her smile again. © FIBa

Yasmine Hamza can shine again

At least since now, Yasmine Hamza's comeback after her serious knee injury can be described as a success. The 21-year-old from Bolzano's run of success was only stopped in the final at the "Egypt International". It is Hamza's first medal since tearing her cruciate ligament almost a year ago.

15 October 2024

From: pm

Regardless of whether her opponent was from Singapore, the USA, Portugal or Germany, Yasmine Hamza won four convincing two-set victories to reach the final of the Egypt International, a tournament in the "International Series" category. There she faced an absolute top player. Stefani Stoeva is a three-time European doubles champion and was a top 10 player for a long time. After her twin sister decided to take it easy after the Olympic Games, Stefani concentrated on singles. The Bulgarian was European junior champion there.

After a relatively one-sided first set (10:21), Hamza played well in the second set and led 19:15. Top favorite Stoeva was able to avoid the third set, however. She won 21:10, 22:20. Hamza was overjoyed despite her sixth defeat in her eighth singles final. It is her first podium finish since tearing her cruciate ligament at the end of October last year and her 21st overall (11 in singles).

This week, Hamza also wants to score full points at the world ranking tournament in Algeria in order to get back into the top 100 of the world rankings as soon as possible.

Danti shows off at Junior World Championships

The 17-year-old Marco Danti from Eppan - also a figurehead of the SBS - South Tyrol Badminton School - remained, as expected, without a medal at the Junior World Championships in Nanchang (China), but he was successful nonetheless.

Marco Danti (r.) with his doubles partner Simone Piccinin. © FIBa

After victories over a Filipino and a Canadian pair, Danti and Simone Piccinin lost in the doubles match against a duo from Taiwan in the round of 16. It is rare for Italy to be among the best XNUMX at a Junior World Championship. In the singles match, Danti also lost to a Taiwanese player.