A TALENTED badminton player who had a stroke six years ago has retained his national title.
Craig Lamb successfully defended the Scottish National Masters Doubles Championship (over-45s) alongside his partner Mark MacKay.
The duo made it through to the final and won in straight sets to lift the trophy for the first time in three years, with the competition cancelled the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pair’s continued success as national champions is remarkable given that in April 2015, with no prior knowledge or warning, Lamb suffered a stroke caused by a previously undetected hole in his heart.
After significant rounds of physio and a heart procedure later that year, Lamb made a remarkable recovery and was back on the court, winning the Scottish National Master Singles Championship (over-35s) in December 2015.
The winner, who lives in Haddington, said: “After having a stroke, the biggest factors I had to overcome were balance and coordination.
“However, having been an active sports player prior to my stroke, it was more of a case of regaining muscle memory.
“Nevertheless, it was really quite scary when I realised the extent of my ordeal, and for weeks had to work on getting my left hand to find and touch my nose!
“However, having been physically fit and active prior to my stroke, my doctors indicated this certainly benefited my recovery time, which otherwise could have been significantly longer.
“At the time, I didn’t think I would be able to play badminton at all, never mind compete in competitions again.
“That’s not to say it gets any easier as I get older.
“However, I still thoroughly enjoy playing and that’s why I keep doing it!”
Lamb’s latest success came on the eve of his 48th birthday and saw him partner MacKay at the Sir Craig Reedie Centre in Glasgow.
The duo are unable to train together as MacKay is based in Thurso but it has not stopped them enjoying success.
Lamb, who has a partner and three daughters, currently keeps himself fit and active, training twice a week with his coach at Meadowmill Sports Centre.
Lamb, who is enjoyleisure’s Aubigny Sports Centre service manager, said: “Whenever we come together, we just click.
“We’ve played together for so long, we’re like a married couple on the court, and we each play to our own strengths.
“I prefer to play a tight net game, whereas Mark is really strong in defence, so we are incredibly well matched.”
Having now achieved the title of Scottish National Badminton Doubles champions, Lamb and MacKay have their eyes set on their next tournament, where they will hopefully be selected to play in the Scottish national team in an international competition next month.
However, Lamb is not stopping there, and has his eyes on the ultimate prize of the World Championships in 2025 in the over-50s category.
Ian Sills, head of operations and transformation at enjoyleisure, congratulated his colleague.
He said: “Everyone at enjoyleisure wishes him good luck. He’s truly an inspiration to us all and is a shining example of what you can achieve through dedication to your chosen sport, especially after the restrictions placed on his training regime during lockdown!”
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