Jersey’s next generation of sporting talent continues to shine on the international stage, with 13-year-old badminton prospect Rory Le Masurier delivering a superb medal haul at the Multi Alarm Youth International in Hungary.
Selected as one of just four boys by Badminton England, Le Masurier competed across three disciplines – Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles – during a demanding week of high-level competition against Europe’s best young players.
It was in the Singles event that the islander first made his mark. Confident group-stage victories over opponents from Hungary and the Czech Republic secured his place in the knockout rounds, where he continued his impressive run. Wins against an English rival and a Lithuanian opponent saw him advance to the semi-finals, before his campaign was halted in straight sets, 12-21, 13-21, to secure a well-earned bronze medal.
There was disappointment in the Mixed Doubles, where Le Masurier and Staffordshire partner Ava Dodkins suffered a surprise quarter-final exit to Spain’s top-ranked pairing.
However, it was in the Men’s Doubles where Le Masurier truly came into his own. Teaming up with Kent’s Aarav Kotian, the pair underlined their growing reputation as one of England’s most exciting junior partnerships.
Fresh from their recent gold medal success at the English Junior Circuit U15 Gold event in Milton Keynes, the duo carried that momentum into Hungary. They opened with a hard-fought victory over Spain’s leading pair, 21-18, 21-15, before easing through their next two matches to reach the semi-finals.
A tough all-England clash awaited in the last four, and with fatigue beginning to show, Le Masurier and Kotian were pushed to the limit. Demonstrating resilience and composure, they battled through three sets to prevail 21-16, 15-21, 21-15.
Sunday’s final proved a fitting climax. Facing a formidable Lithuanian pairing, both sides traded blows in a tense, high-quality contest. The Lithuanians edged the opening set 23-21, but Le Masurier and Kotian responded strongly to take the second 21-18 and force a deciding third.
With the match finely poised at 18-18, Le Masurier seized the moment. Producing an audacious flick serve – fast becoming a trademark of his game – the young islander caught his opponents off guard, swinging the momentum decisively. It sparked a run of three consecutive points that sealed a thrilling victory and the gold medal.
For Le Masurier, the triumph represents both a breakthrough on the international stage and validation of the hours of training invested alongside his partner. For Jersey, it is yet another sign that the island’s sporting future is in very capable hands.
