THIRTEEN year old Lowri Hart, of Pembroke Dock, has confirmed her status as a badminton player of considerable potential by recently winning not only the Welsh Championship for her own age group but also taking the gold medal against girls two years older in the under 15 section, writes Bill Carne.

Not content with these successes, Lowri also won the under 13s doubles and the mixed doubles to complete a remarkable weekend at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Small wonder then that parents Mandy and Derek Hart were delighted because they bear the brunt of taking their younger daughter around the county for almost-nightly practice, and to venues much further afield for tournaments.

Sharing their joy was her sister Jordan, currently the Welsh senior badminton champion and studying at Loughborough and playing in the Loughborough badminton squad that tops the newly-formed league featured on Sky Sports.

“Lowri has that real will to win,” Jordan told us, “and I think she is a better player at this age than I was because she mixes her natural flair with an eagerness to learn whenever she takes the court.

“I think I will have to watch out for her when she’s a little older but until then I can just enjoy watching her do so well!”

Lowri beat Jasmine Owen in the under 13 semi-final and then accounted for her doubles partner Aimie Whiteman in the final against Abbie Cottrell and Bethany Jones in the final.

In the under 13 mixed doubles Lowri was partnered by Daniel Clarke in beating Amy Whiteman and Jonathan Emrys.

She has been honoured with the captaincy of the Welsh squad for the UK Championships and there is no doubt that we are sure to hear a great deal more of this talented young lady in badminton over the next few years!