| Fadhil Yunus |
VIKINGS successfully defended the Bandar Ultimate Open title after emerging victorious in a nail-biting 9-8 win over Ultras in a repeat of last year’s final at the Jerudong Sports Complex yesterday.
The Kuala Belait-based club edged foreign side from Kuching, Malaysia to claim a record third title in their fourth final appearance in the much-anticipated Ultimate Frisbee tournament.
“We won four years ago but we lost the second time and this is considered the second time we defended the title,” said Vikings captain Izmi Azim in an interview after the prize presentation ceremony.
Vikings’ solitary defeat in the title decider in the competition came against UWA Ultimate of Australia in the 2014 final before consolidating their position as one of the most successful teams a year later.
Izmi highlighted that they regularly meet the Malaysian side in previous years and fast becoming a major rival in the competition.
“For four years straight, we played against them. Even for quarters and semis we meet them.
“The first round is the groupings and then once the re-seeding they are strong in the other group and we’re strong in our group which is why we meet again in the final,” he concluded.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof in a group picture with the winners.
They did not cross paths in the final a couple of years ago as eventual winners UWA Ultimate stopped the Ultras’ journey in the last four.
Troopers settled for third place in the upper pool while Have You Seen My Disc (HYSMD) emerged champions of Pool ‘B’.
Other team winners included Madness scooping the Best Spirited Award while individual Most Valuable Player awards were also feted to a player from every participating team.
The competition, which entered its 7th year, attracted a total of 12 teams and a region of around 250 to 300 ultimate players in the mixed division including representatives from Sibu and Bintulu as well as visiting players from Guam, Cambodia, Singapore and USA taking part.
The guest of honour at the event was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, who presented the prizes.
Brunei Adventure Recreation Association (BARA) and YPatera have collaborated together for the much-anticipated event.
BARA said in a statement that the main objective of the event was to promote Ultimate Frisbee in Brunei while at the same time inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship among the participants and foster friendships among players within and outside of Brunei.
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