Nunavut badminton team wins 6 medals at North American Indigenous Games
Tina Kudlualik earns gold, silver in girls’ under-16 events; in total, Nunavut athletes earned 8 spots on the podium during games
Nunavut’s badminton team poses for a photo at the North American Indigenous Games, which opened July 15 and wrap up Sunday in Nova Scotia. In total, Team Nunavut earned eight medals at the games, including gold and silver medals for under-16 competitor Tina Kudlualik (front row, third from right). (Photo courtesy of Luc Nguyen/North American Indigenous Games)
Nunavut had another golden moment at the North American Indigenous Games on Friday, winning six medals in badminton including one gold.
Tina Kudlualik, of Qikiqtarjuaq, won gold in the girls’ under-16 singles, beating out Kate Elizabeth Anne Edgar from British Columbia.
Kudlualik followed that up by winning a silver medal in the girls’ under-16 doubles with partner Allie Ruby Ningeocheak, of Coral Harbour.
The duo just missed out on the top spot, which went to Brooklyn Wolfrey and Sierra Constace Tammy Wolfrey of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rounding out Nunavut’s hardware earned at the games on Friday were four more bronze medals, all in the badminton doubles events:
- Dwayne Veevee, of Pangnirtung, and Ryan Uquqtuq, of Baker Lake, won bronze in boys’ under-16 doubles;
- Kenneth Takatak, of Sanikiluaq, and Rodney Nakoolak, of Coral Harbour, won bronze in boys’ under-19 doubles;
- Iris Leeta Sowdluapik and Sheila Akulukjuk, both from Pangnirtung, won bronze in girls’ under-19 doubles; and
- Kenneth Takatak and Sheila Akulukjuk added to their haul by winning bronze in the mixed under-19 doubles.
The six medals follow those of wrestlers Eekeeluak Avalak, who won gold in the men’s 58kg class, and Thayer Komakjuak, who won silver in the 74kg class, bringing Nunavut’s total medal haul at the games to eight.
The women’s and men’s volleyball teams also wrapped up their competitions for these 2023 games, playing their finals games on Thursday.
The men’s team ultimately lost three games in its division but celebrated a triumphant win against Team Eastern Door and the North, representing Quebec First Nations and Inuit athletes, on Tuesday.
The women’s volleyball team will have to wait until the next games in 2027 to secure a win, after finishing its time in Nova Scotia with three losses. They won one set against Team Northwest Territories in Monday’s game.
Team Nunavut’s competitions at the games have come to an end, but events will continue through the weekend for other sports and entertainment, including performances by Nunavik circus artists Connie Ittukallak and Jacqueline Tulugak.
The 10th edition of the games celebrating more than 5,000 athletes from over 750 Indigenous nations across North America started July 15 and conclude Sunday with closing ceremonies.
You’re Bad – minton 🙂