Badminton star Rhys celebrates triple gold

A YOUNG Ripon Grammar School badminton star has returned triumphant from two major international tournaments with three gold medals.

Olympic hopeful Rhys Williams won first place in the men’s doubles at the U17 Luxembourg International championships at the end of October.

Just a few days later, the 15-year-old, from Harrogate claimed golds in the men’s singles and doubles at the Victor U17 Portugal Open.

It’s the latest in a series of wins for the teenager, who joined RGS in Year 10 in September and hopes to study engineering and sports management.

He plays in the top-level groups at Badminton England events and consistently competes as the number one seed in U17 in badminton’s highest gold-level tournaments.

Having started playing when he was eight years old, his ambition is to represent Great Britain at the Junior International Tournament in 2026, adding: “I also hope one day to achieve great results at the European Championships and the Olympics."

Rhys has been selected for the England Junior Performance Pathway camps, which recognises the most promising junior national players, three times.

He was inspired to take up badminton after watching local matches and admiring the skill and precision of the players and began playing national tournaments just over a year ago.

He now trains three times a week, for two to three hours at a time.