National Players
Cheyenne Bhola is a 17-year-old badminton player representing Shuttle Force Badminton Club, who is deeply passionate about the sport. Constantly focused on improving her game, she enjoys competing in all three events, with a special love for Mixed Doubles and Girls’ Doubles because of the fast pace, intensity, teamwork, and exciting rallies they bring. Cheyenne is proud of her recent accomplishments, including winning Silver in Girls’ Doubles at the 2025 CAREBACO Championships and Bronze medals in Girls’ Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the 2026 National Championships. Known for her determination and commitment, she continues to work hard toward her ultimate goal of representing Trinidad and Tobago at the highest level of badminton and achieving international success.
Danyelle Barnes is a 20-year-old athlete and proud member of Shuttle Force Badminton Club. Throughout her badminton journey, she has experienced both victories and challenges that have shaped her growth as a player. One of her earliest achievements was capturing the Under-11 Girls’ Doubles title alongside her sister at her very first tournament. Another major milestone in her career was winning the Under-19 Girls’ Doubles title at the CAREBACO Junior Championships after an extended break from the sport. Beyond badminton, Danyelle is currently pursuing tertiary education at The University of the West Indies and has a strong passion for baking.
Jada Renales is a Trinidad and Tobago badminton player and member of Shuttle Force Badminton Club who rose to prominence through her exceptional success in junior badminton, capturing 13 Triple Crowns, multiple national titles, and numerous regional medals throughout her career. She became one of the country’s most accomplished junior athletes and has received multiple FCB Sports Award nominations in both the junior and senior categories. Regionally, Jada represented Trinidad and Tobago at the CAREBACO Junior Championships, earning a total of six Silver and five Bronze medals, and also captured the Women’s Doubles title at the 2016 Suriname International. She further represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Pan American Sports Festival in Mexico and the Junior Pan American Games, becoming one of the youngest athletes to compete on both the Junior and Senior National Teams at just 15 years old. Currently living abroad, Jada hopes to return to competition on local soil in the near future.
Leanna Castanada-Smith, 36, currently a member of Shuttle Force Badminton Club, is a dedicated Trinidad and Tobago badminton athlete and former National Under-19 Champion. She achieved a career-high Senior national ranking of #2 and has earned medals at international competitions. After taking a hiatus from competitive play, Leanna has made a strong return to the court, reaching two quarterfinals at the 2026 National Championships and advancing to the Mixed Doubles final. Known for her experience, determination, and tactical play, she continues to compete at a high level while inspiring others through her resilience and passion for the sport.
Mia Smith is an 11-year-old junior badminton player and the current Under-11 National Singles Champion. She proudly represented her country at the 2025 CAREBACO Championships in Barbados, gaining valuable international experience at a young age. At the 2026 National Championships, Mia showcased her growing talent by reaching both the Singles and Doubles Finals. Known for her focus, agility, and determination on court, she continues to develop her skills with a strong passion for the sport and great potential for future success. Mia is currently a member of Shuttle Force Badminton Club.
Nathaniel Khillawan is a national badminton player representing Trinidad and Tobago who began playing the sport in Form 1. After joining Shuttle Force Badminton Club, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the fastest male national champion in the club’s history to date, by winning the Boys’ Under-15 Singles title within just six months of training. Nathaniel later became National Champion in the Under-17 and Under-19 divisions and has since captured multiple Senior National Doubles and Mixed Doubles titles while representing Trinidad and Tobago across the Caribbean. Known for his competitive drive, he continues to pursue his goal of becoming Senior National Singles Champion. Off the court, Nathaniel is a proud husband to Rachel Khillawan and a devoted new father who is passionate about helping grow the sport locally.
Rachel Khillawan discovered her passion for badminton in 2017 at the age of 16 and has since competed in Junior and Senior Nationals, as well as the Trinidad and Tobago International. A proud member of Shuttle Force Badminton Club, her achievements include a Silver medal in U19 Singles, two Gold medals in Women’s Doubles, and Silver and Bronze medals in Mixed Doubles. After taking time away from competition to welcome her first child in 2026, Rachel is now motivated to return to the court with renewed focus and determination as she pursues her goal of representing Trinidad and Tobago locally, regionally, and internationally once again. She is known for her discipline, resilience, and dedication both on and off the court. Balancing motherhood and athletics have strengthened her drive to succeed and inspire others. Rachel remains committed to continuous growth in the sport while embracing every challenge along the journey.
Reece Marcano is a 22-year-old badminton player who has been competing since the age of nine, demonstrating exceptional dedication and growth in the sport. Currently ranked #1 locally, he is a three-time Junior Caribbean Champion, as well as a Junior and Senior National Champion. Reece’s more recent accomplishments have also earned international success with one gold and one bronze medal, and has been recognized through First Citizens Sports Award nominations. Driven by a deep love for the game, he is known for his strong work ethic, resilience, and competitive spirit. He is a proud member of Shuttle Force Badminton Club, and his goal remains to represent his country at the highest level while achieving top international titles and leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.
Sameer Ali, Shuttle Force Badminton Club athlete, is a dedicated badminton player who continues to make his mark both locally and internationally. Representing Trinidad and Tobago on multiple occasions, Sameer proudly competed at the 2023 BWF World Junior Championships in Washington, gaining valuable experience against some of the world’s top junior athletes. He also captured a bronze medal at the Trinidad and Tobago International, showcasing his determination, skill, and competitive spirit on home soil. He remains committed to proudly representing Trinidad and Tobago in international competitions and striving to bring home outstanding results for his country.
Shemuel Auguste, now a member of Shuttle Force Badminton Club, has been training in the sport for the past three years, consistently working to improve his skills and overall performance. Although his religious commitments have limited his opportunities to compete in tournaments, he remains dedicated to the sport and continues to train diligently. For Shemuel, badminton represents discipline, personal growth, and perseverance in the face of challenges. He is committed to developing both as an athlete and as an individual while pursuing his passion for the game.
T’shelle Barnes is a 17-year-old badminton player representing Shuttle Force Badminton Club. Her achievements include being an FCB Sports Award Nominee in 2017, winning multiple Triple Crown titles, becoming a two-time Under-19 Singles Champion, and capturing Gold in Mixed Doubles at the National Championships. Passionate about the sport, T’shelle is committed to continuously improving her skills and performance on the court. Known for her discipline, determination, and competitive spirit, she aspires to compete at higher international levels while proudly representing Trinidad and Tobago. She continues to train diligently with the goal of achieving even greater success in the years ahead.
Vance Juteram is a dedicated Badminton athlete who has proudly represented Trinidad and Tobago at both regional and international levels. Currently a member of the Shuttle Force Badminton Club, his recent achievements include a Gold medal in Mixed Doubles at the 2026 Senior National Championships and a Silver medal in Men’s Singles at the 2025 CAREBACO Games. His journey of accomplishments began in his youth as a National Junior champion winning Gold medals in every age category from Under-13 to Under-19 achieving multiple triple crowns in the process. Vance successfully transitioned his youth brilliance to the international stage when he was selected to represent his country at the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Pan American Games. With a strong foundation in competitive play, Vance is known for staying calm under pressure and continuing to fight until the last point.
Will Lee is a badminton athlete representing Shuttle Force Badminton Club. He is the current National Senior Men’s Singles Runner-up and Men’s Doubles Champion, and a former National Triple Crown Champion. Throughout his career, Will has captured several local Junior Championship titles, earned multiple CAREBACO medals, and proudly represented Trinidad and Tobago at the CAC Games, along with various regional and international tournaments. Recognized for his consistency, versatility, and competitive drive, he has, on more than one occasion, also been nominated for an FCB Sports Award. He remains committed to elevating his game and continuing to make his country proud on the international stage.
Zamir Ali is a 19-year-old badminton player and a proud member of Shuttle Force Badminton Club since 2023. His achievements include winning a Silver medal in the Under-19 Boys’ Doubles event at the 2024 Junior National Championships and a Bronze medal in Mixed Doubles at the 2024 CAREBACO Tournament in Aruba. His aggressive and attacking style of play, brings energy and determination to the court. His main goal is to become the number one badminton player in the country while continuing to develop his skills and compete at higher levels internationally. He remains committed to working hard and representing his club and country with pride.
Zion St. Rose is a Trinidad and Tobago badminton player representing Shuttle Force Badminton Club who has competed at both local and regional championships. His junior regional achievements include winning double Gold in the Boys’ Under-17 Singles and Doubles events at the 2019 CAREBACO Championships. Locally, Zion has captured multiple junior titles, while his most recent accomplishments include a Bronze medal in Men’s Singles and a Silver medal in Mixed Doubles. Known for his resilience and determination, Zion continues to overcome challenges both on and off the badminton court while training hard to elevate his game and achieve greater success.
