This is the best ever record for local badminton- Thela

Thela reached two semi finals, also playing in the mixed doubles, where he partnered Boto Makhubate. The mixed doubles pair beat South Africa's James McManus and Lee gun De Wet, before losing to another South African pair of James Dorran and Michelle Edwards in the semi finals. Thela and partner Godwin Mathumo reached the semi finals where they crashed out in 30 minutes to South Africa's par Dorran L and Willem.

Thela, and his partner, both teachers, say local badminton is used to crashing out in the first rounds in such events. " But this time, we were determined to reach at least the semi finals,and put the country in the map. We could have done better in the last match, but we are happy that we reached our goal", added his partner, Mathumo.