Callista is SA’s top two in badminton

Sixteen-year-old Callista Ramowtar is making waves in the world of badminton.

The Durban Girls High School (DGHS) pupil was chosen last year for the under-19 national squad for SA and is ranked top two in the country.

Callista, who ‘eats and sleeps’ badminton while still maintaining excellent grades at school, developed her passion for the sport at Sherwood Primary in 2016. Two years later, she was asked to try out for the KZN squad and made it to the ‘B’ team for the provincial tournament in Cape Town.

“This was my first taste of badminton on a competitive level, and it appealed to my competitive side,” she said.

Her fiery determination landed her the Top Achiever Award for under-13 for KZN in 2019. She remarked, “Hard work and perseverance were very determining factors that helped me achieve this.” Then the world was struck by COVID and all sporting tournaments were cancelled. In 2021, the sport resumed and Callista was selected to represent South Africa at the All Africa under-15 Continental Championships in Benin. They achieved bronze in the mixed and doubles games. While this was a milestone for her, it did take an emotional toll on her family as she had to for the first time travel alone.

“Travelling with my family to all the tournaments was a norm. At 13 years of age, this was a true testament to my independence in terms of travelling and self-care. This opened my whole mindset as I became a more confident and independent individual,” said the teenager.

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2022 bore another highlight for the Newlands resident. DGHS won the SA School Championships and the team travelled to Mauritius to compete in the All Africa School Championships.

The school claimed bronze in all the respective categories. In 2023, DGHS was victorious once again in winning the SA School Championships.

“We travelled to Zimbabwe to compete in the 2023 All Africa School Championships where we achieved gold in the double games. Winning gold in an international arena was truly awesome. It was achieved with all the passion and dedication that we put in as a team into this game,” she said. Callista was also chosen to represent SA in the 2023 BRICS Games held in Durban. “We competed against Russia, China and India. It was tough playing Olympics personalities, but it was an experience I will never forget and although I did not win in placing, I am truly proud to say that I did play against the best in the world,” she added.

Among the many qualities that badminton has taught her, loyalty is the one that stands out the most for her. She maintains that she will always choose her doubles partner, Hadiyah Carrim, as they have played together since the inception of her games.

“Together, we went on the journey to Benin and many other tournaments. I have won mixed doubles and individual ones on numerous provincial levels. I have always had invites to play girls’ doubles with stronger players than my partner to ensure a definite win of the girls’ doubles. I have declined on numerous occasions as I am and always will be partnered with Hadiyah as she is my number one choice,” she said.

Callista concluded by saying that winning her is not everything, friendships and loyalty come above that.

“But I know that Hadiyah and I will emerge champions on the podium. For now, we are already champions, a force to be reckoned with,” she asserted.