Laiba Ahmed Mahloof, known as Eli, has secured her first singles medal at an international competition, winning a bronze at the Yonex International Festival in Poland.
Competing in the under-11 singles category, Laiba triumphed in all three group matches. Her wins included a 15-8, 15-11 win over Ukraine's Bodana Sirotyuk, a comeback against Poland's Olivier Seraffin with scores of 8-15, 15-9, 15-9, and a 15-13, 15-6 success against third-seeded Adriana Danoga.
Topping her group, Laiba advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating Ukraine's Uliana Kononenko 15-4, 11-15, 15-8. However, she faced a defeat in the semifinals against top-seeded Malena Pudlow from Poland with scores of 14-15, 12-15.
Laiba participated in multiple events, including under-13 singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, as part of badminton Europe's calendar. In the under-13 singles, she faced losses in both group matches against Polish players Agata Szeliga and Zuzuana Misiak.
Teaming up with Lithuania's Taukte Balkitte in the doubles event, they experienced a loss against the third-seeded Polish pair but secured a victory against Ukraine's Maria Evchenko and Uliana Kononenko.
In mixed doubles, partnering with Poland's Keshpa Case, Laiba faced defeats in the group stage matches against Ukraine and Poland.
This tournament marks Laiba's fourth appearance on the badminton European calendar this year, following successful outings in Italy and Croatia. Her achievement in the under-11 singles adds to her growing list of accomplishments in international badminton competitions.
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