Amir Levi has never made it to an international open final when the world’s top ranked players have featured. Until now.

The plaudits today go to Israel’s Amir Levi for his efforts this week in the WH2 men’s singles. The Uganda international back in April 2019 will remember Levi sporting a silver medal at the end of the week, but Amir openly admits the podium may have looked different, had any of the top 10 in the world been in the draw.

A two-game quarterfinal win over China’s Mai Jianpeng this week was a terrific result yesterday for Levi and today he has gone even further. The semi-final match up was the third meeting in the last two years, and a rematch of the European Final clash between Levi and England’s Martin Rooke. 

World number three Rooke has never been defeated by the Israeli until today. The match was close, a 21-18, 20-22, 21-17 score-line doing both men justice and Levi moves on to face wheelchair legend Kim Jungjun in tomorrow’s final. 

We spoke with Levi shortly after this win, asking what this means for his season. He said

- This was a very important competition for me, I am very glad I took the opportunity today and beat Martin. This is the first time I have managed it.

- It is my first final for this year and I am very excited about that, I move on with all my power into tomorrow. The race for Tokyo is not over and I hope the best wins. I really hope that both Martin and I will be there, I think we both deserve it, he added

Read: First ever medal for Netherlands and Russia

Coombs close whilst Shephard falls short

Rooke’s England teammates Jack Shephard and Krysten Coombs both made it the SH6 men’s singles semi-finals today, and both failed to seal the deal.

Shephard was drawn against Brazil’s best hope for a medal, Vitor Tavares, who put up a tremendous fight in front of the home crowd and came through 21-15, 18-21, 26-24 in a match that lasted over an hour.

Coombs was up against India’s Nagar Krishna who took the match 23-21, 21-18 and who’s place in tomorrow’s final should see the Indian now leading the Race to Tokyo. We caught up with Coombs after the match, who had this to say.

- It’s been an interesting week, my first real trip to South America. We had a few problems early in the week, and I had to play all three of my group games on my opening day. It’s like the old days! But I think we have all coped really well with the issues

- Onto Peru on Saturday evening, and I need as many points as possible still, to give myself any chance of qualification. I played well today against Nagar, they were tough conditions and I’m pleased with my performance. Hopefully I can do at least one better next week, said Coombs.

- It won’t be long until we’re in Spain at the last qualifying tournament, and it feels as though it has gone by really quick! said the Englishman

Look out for updates from the Brazil Para badminton International 2020, see tournament software here for draws and results.