Every single Nunavut badminton player at NAIG won a medal - Action News
Home WebMail Thursday, November 14, 2024, 02:06 AM | Calgary | 6.0°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
North

Every single Nunavut badminton player at NAIG won a medal

It was an exciting day during Nunavut's final day of competition at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, with every athlete on the territory's badminton team winning a medal.

'This has been the best experience for me,' says Iris Sowdluapik

Group of young people with medals.
Team Nunavut badminton players show off their medals. (Submitted by Nunavut Badminton)

Nunavut'sbadminton team won medal after medal on Friday during their last day of competition at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax.

Every single athlete on the territory's badminton team won a medal.

All the athletes left with either gold, silver and bronze medals around their necks.

Bronze medallists Rodney Nakoolakfrom Coral Harbour and Kenny Takatakfrom Sanikiluaq,in the doubles category, had only been playing together for two weeks, including the one week together in this competition.

"We're close friends and we talk to each other a lot," Nakoolak said.

"We're very proud of each other," Takataksaid.

It's the last North American Indigenous Games for both Takatak and Nakoolak, since they will be past the 19-year-old cut-off next time.But both young men say they want to return to the sport as coaches for Nunavut.

"I really want to coach," Nakoolak said.

Athletes in a circle pose in front of the camera.
Nunavut's badminton team poses before the first games at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax. (Submitted by Nunavut Badminton )

Tina Kudlualikfrom Qikiqtarjuaq won gold in the women's under 16 singles, while also winning silver in doubles with Allie Rubie Ningeocheakfrom Coral Harbour.

Dwaynee Veevee from Pangnirtung and Ryan Uquqtuq from Baker Lake won bronze in doubles in the under 19 category.

Iris Sowdluapikand her teammate Sheila Akulukjuk, both from Pangnirtungwon bronze in the women's under 19 category.

Akulukjuk also won bronze in mixed doubles with Takatak.

"I feel mixed emotions. I'm so happy, but I'm kind of emotional" Akulukjuk said.

"This has been the best experience for me," Sowdluapik said.

The North American Indigenous Games wraps up in Halifax on Sunday.