Binnie makes winning start

GUADALAJARA, Mexico

National and Caribbean men's squash badminton champion, Chris Binnie, got off to winning start here in the men's singles competition at the XVI Pan American Games.

Competing in his first games, 21-year-old Binnie beat Jose Mendez of Guatemala 11-5, 11-4, 13-11 in the round of 32 to advance to the last 16 and a battle against American Christopher Gordon. That match was scheduled for last night.

There was, however, no luck for the badminton players as all four, two men and two women, were knocked out in the round of 32 singles.

National men's singles champion, Charles Pyne, was beaten 21-9, 21-9 by Venezuela's Kisbel Matute yesterday afternoon. Earlier, Gareth Henry, runner-up to Pyne at last year's national championships, lost to Guatemala's Pedro Yang, going down 21-19, 22-20.

Female player Katherine Wynter had a tough draw as she faced Mexican number-four seed Victoria Montero and was beaten 21-7, 21-3. Jamaica's second female player, Mikalia Haldane, put up a strong fight in the opening set against Brazil's Lohaynny, losing 21-17. The effort took its toll and she lost the second set 21-7.

All four Jamaican players were involved in mixed doubles action late yesterday. Henry was paired with Haldane and Pyne with Wynter.

Meanwhile, shooter Ron Brown and martial artist Nicholas Dussard will bow into action today.

Dussard faces Brazil's Diogo DaSilva in the 58kg-68kg class in tae kwon do, while Brown competes in the air pistol event.