Macoi Aguda: The Real McCoy of Badminton

High-flying leaps, powerful smashes, and numerous trick shots are just some of the court-wonders of Northern Marianas Badminton Federation’s Tournament Committee Chair – Marco Antonio “Macoi” Aguda, 2006 NMBF Inaugural Tournament Mixed’s doubles and 2007 Traders Insurance/PTI Cup Men’s Doubles Champion.

The 28-year old shuttler recently works as a dining supervisor for Shirley’s Coffee Shop. He has been on Saipan for more than two years now. He started playing badminton in his early 20’s in the Philippines and he religiously plays the sport here in the CNMI. He recalled he had been introduced to the group in May 2006. He eventually decided to join and now he has been an active member since then.

Back in the Philippines, indoor volleyball was Macoi's first love as he used to be a member of the Malate Catholic School's varsity team for four years. He pursued the sport in college. It was only after he finished his BS Psychology degree at Far Eastern University in Manila when he tried his hand in badminton.

Macoi’s playing style is something to watch inside the badminton court, during tournaments and practice games. He treats audiences to an extraordinary spectacle of how beautifully badminton can be played as how easy it is to be learned. However, not only his overall knowledge of the sport is admired by his fellow shuttlers and friends but also his off-court exuberance as his friendly personality and always glad-to-help attitude.

Some of his spellbinding victories include winning the men's doubles titles with Raj Jayalal in the NMBF's second organized tournament, the Traders Insurance/PTI Cup in May; and, three trophies in the NMBF's inaugural games last year: mixed doubles crown with Janice Bungalos, a second place finish in the men's singles, and placing third in the men's doubles division with teammate Marconi Calindas.

Macoi may have not won in 2008 Michelob Ultra Badminton Tournament but received accolades for organizing the event in his debut as NMBF’s Tournament Committee chair. “You learned much more from defeat than you ever learned from winning”, he quoted.