Internationals put on the style
PAUL LE TOCQ can now sleep easy.
PAUL LE TOCQ can now sleep easy. The Guernsey badminton development officer oversaw a tremendous success with the second Carey Olsen International Challenge held at the Rohais Hall on Saturday evening as months of planning paid off.
As he slumped back in his chair at the conclusion of over three hours' worth of quality sport, he admitted a sense of relief that it was all over.
'It has been a couple of weeks without sleep, what with all the work as well as organising this,' said Le Tocq, before revealing a desire to do it all again.
'I cannot be sure of exact numbers yet, but I think we had over 200 people here, which is good and it made for a great atmosphere. The spectators seemed pleased with it and hopefully the sponsors were as well.
'If we are backed, we can put this on again and we have people who want to come here and play for us, on top of the ones here tonight, which is flattering.'
The calibre of the visiting players was there for all to see.
In fact, the results of the four matches took a back seat to the high-class exhibition of racket play.
Zhu Min was enjoying his second visit having won last year's challenge and his effortless court coverage was astounding.
This time around he was joined by former world number 12 Irwan Syah, whose story is an amazing one.
'He has not hit a shuttle since December because he has got a trapped nerve in his hip and has been told not to play, but he did not want to let us down,' Le Tocq said.
'Irwan, who is now 32, has played badminton since he was six and he does not know anything else. He has now set up an academy.
'He has had a stress fracture in his back and was told he would never play again. He has had knee reconstruction and has also had a shin operation as his leg was bowed because he has played so much.'
Eventually, Syah had to retire in the deciding set of the mixed doubles - the final match of the night - due to knee pain, but he had already given a startling display of both power and deft touch.
Completing the trio of male visitors was Great Britain squad member Martyn Lewis, who provided excellent entertainment with his sprightly manner and no little skill. He was electric around the court.
Welsh number one female Harriet Johnson was also on hand to entertain the large crowd.
But perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the evening was the way the island's two home grown players showed that they were not out of place on court with the visitors.
Elena Johnson showed why she has risen into England's top 10 players as she fought back from a set down to defeat her namesake in the women's singles.
Le Tocq has not played competitively for the best part of a year and showed a few signs of rustiness, but it was surely an inspiration for the many youngsters present to see their local coach mixing it in this exalted company.
He was heavily involved in one of the more outstanding moments, which came during the men's doubles.
A lengthy rally developed which was played exclusively between him and Lewis for many shots before eventually the Sarnian's partner Syah called to take a smash.
With the call but before the smash, Le Tocq put his hands on his hips, as if to say 'thank goodness for that', and the Indonesian's terrific overhead ended the point in one rapid flash of a racket.
As he left the court after the match, a wry smile came over Le Tocq's face and he said: 'Do you ever feel like you're the weak link?'
But in fairness, the lad from Torteval, as he was introduced to the crowd, had played his part in a memorable evening.
'We had a good array of players out there and we put something together for everyone here to enjoy. The standard was at times superb and the pace was what you want to see. That is the pace the very best play at.'