Laiba Ahmed Mahloof (Eli) finished third in the under-11 women's singles event in the Li Ning Medward Cup 2023, which concluded on Sunday in Slovenia.
Laiba competed in the U-11 singles, U-13 singles and U-13 women's doubles events.
In the under-11 singles event, Laiba lost 14-21, 16-21 to Austria's San Emily in her opening group match. Emily was the winner of this age group. In the second match, she won 21-9, 21-10 against Slovenia's Legissa Pia, while third place was secured by a walkover.
She finished third in the competition after losing 21-10, 21-8 to Austria's Zan Pia in the semi-finals.
This marks Laiba's sixth international medal this year, contributing to the achievements of the national badminton association's junior pool. Laiba secured a bronze in singles at the Poland International last month. Currently, she is preparing for the upcoming Yonex Estonian Youth International tournament, scheduled to take place in Estonia from December 8-10.
Laiba finished first in the group stage in the under-13 section of the Slovenia tournament. She won the sets 21-15, 15-21, 21-16 in the first match against Slovenia's Skal Pica, while a walkover secured the second match. However, in the knockout round, she lost 12-21, 21-14, 14-2 to Austria's Mikel Alexandra.
In the under-13 doubles section, Laiba's partner will be Slovenia's Mustafik Ilhana. In the group stage opener, the Slovenian pair of Legissa Pia and Scalpic won 21-15, 21-10, while in the second match, they lost 16-21, 16-21 to Austria's Mikel Alexandra and Wu Rossie.
Laiba and Ilhana reached the quarter-finals, but Katie failed to make it to the semi-finals with a 9-21, 6-21 loss to Croatia's Kovic Jelena and Slovenia's Milivojevic Teodora.
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