Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Whitehorse (Mar 20/00) - Yellowknifer Jennifer Waugh holds the distinction of being the youngest competitor to ever win a singles badminton match in the history of the Arctic Winter Games.

The 10-year-old only started playing badminton last November, so to have been chosen to play for the NWT team was a surprise. To win a game on her own and to take home the bronze medal in doubles badminton, along with her partner Janesta Mcleod, was a triumph.

"It was pretty exciting in Whitehorse," said Waugh.

"We were up against some tough competition and I learned many different and new techniques about how to play badminton."

She said the Greenland team had the strongest badminton players because the sport is their national game. Playing against such high-calibre athletes gave the young Waugh incentive to hone her own skills.

"I'm a lot more committed to the sport of badminton than I was before the Games," said Waugh.

"I hope to be competing again in 2002."

Jennifer's mom, Wanda, was thrilled to be cheering on her daughter at the Games.

"We were pretty excited to be there because we weren't sure she would make it through the territorial trials," she said.

"When she got so far we were very proud. She works very hard at everything she does -- and badminton is no exception."

Jennifer was also awarded the fair play pin, which is given to athletes who display exceptional sportsmanship. The youngster said she owes much of her success to her coach, Laurell Graf, who is also from Yellowknife.

Graham King and Glen Tingmiak also won bronze for the NWT in the badminton juvenile doubles competition.