Badminton Magazine Yonex Denmark Open 2014

WHY PETER GADE THINKS LIN DAN IS THE BIGGEST STAR

page 17

EXPERIENCE FAIRYTALES COME TRUE

SEE THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS THROUGH THE EYES OF VIKTOR AXELSEN

Welcome to Odense, the birth city of Hans Christian Andersen; world famous poet and fairy tale writher

page 30

BADMINTON MAGAZINE YONEX DENMARK OPEN 2014

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Og vi giver de danske badmintonfans mulighed for at rejse med ud i verden!

I 2014 & 2015 har vi tilskuerrejser til:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE

ARTICLE

René Toft, President, Badminton Denmark:

The greatest badminton player of all time

Welcome to the great World Championships rematch Party 2014

5

Anker Boye, Mayor of Odense:

Welcome to the Yonex Denmark Open 2014

7

Ben Yoneyama, President YONEX Co., Ltd.:

Welcome to YONEX Denmark Open 2014

9

at Yonex Denmark Open

17

Former Winners

19

Denmark – expect new ways

23

Through the eyes of Viktor Axelsen

30

The popular Danish coaches

38

Badmintonsportens Dag – også for de mindste 61

Dirk Ostijn, Head of Western Europe, MetLife:

MetLife BWF World Superseries

11

Poul-Erik Høyer, BWF President:

PROFILES

BWF President’s Message Yonex Denmark Open 13

Men’s Single

26

Women’s Single

34

17

Peter Gade has played against Lin Dan several times throughout his carrier. On page 17 you can read why the Dane thinks Lin Dan is the best badminton player the world has ever seen.

Men’s Doubles

42

Women’s Doubles

48

Mixed Doubles

54

30

The World Championships was a huge success. Experience the championship through the eyes of the Danish men’s single and bronze medalist Viktor Axelsen.

38

A lot of Danish badminton coaches work abroad. Jakob Høi and Anders Thomas explain why they have chosen to leave Denmark and work in other countries.

PUBLISHED BY Badminton Denmark · House of Sports, Brøndby Stadion 20, 2605 Brøndby · phone 4326 2152 · fax 4326 2150 · e-mail: info@badminton.dk badminton.dk · badmintondenmark.com | TEXT Kristine Liv Lund-Pedersen · Kristoffer Møldrup | EDITORS Bettina Mortensen · Kristine Liv Lund-Pedersen | PHOTO Badmintonphoto · Badminton Danmark · Marie Hald | AD SALES FL sportMarketing, Agerbakken 21 · 8362 Hørning · phone 7022 1870 · e-mail: info@ flsportmarketing.dk | LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION FL SportMarketing · Agerbakken 21 · 8362 Hørning · phone 7022 1870 . e-mail: info@flsportmarketing.dk

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PREFACE

WELCOME TO THE GREAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS REMATCH PARTY 2014 We have barely dismantled the badminton courts and taken down the spotlights in Ballerup Super Arena before Badminton Denmark again offers world class badminton. We are now ready for the big World Championships rematch in Odense Sport Park in the days 14th - 19th Oktober 2014.

The World Championships gold medal winners have to go out and prove that they are the best in their category, and all others will try to defeat them.

Especially our Danish bronze medalists will try to come up to their World Championships - performance and may be even improve it. In men’s singles it is of course really exciting that Lin Dan has announced his arrival. He will no doubt try to show the other male singles, that his absence at the World Championships was to their advantage.

Yonex Denmark Open is not the same size as the World Championships, but the quality of the players are - on average - higher because the players / pairs are qualified by the world ranking and in each category there are no restrictions to the number of participants from each country.

Badminton Denmark is primarily able to arrange this Superseries Premier Tournament year after year because • We have an extraordinary support from our sponsor Yonex, Odense Municipality and Sport Event Denmark • We have several players at high international level, which makes it interesting for the Danish audience to follow the tournament • BD has a professional team of skilled event per- sons who together with the indispensable volunteers - primarily from Odense Badminton Club and other badminton clubs on the island

of Fyn - with a background well based on experience and know how run and manage such a large event as a Superseries Premier Tournament is.

I also want to thank our other regular partners: OK, TV3Sport, Holstebro RejseCenter, EKJ Fonden, Udvikling Fyn, Visit Fyn, Fyens Stifttidende.

Welcome to all players, coaches, managers, officials, volunteers and last but not least, the always enthusiastic, badminton knowledgeable and enthusiastic audience to an exciting and eventful week with badminton sport at the highest level in Odense Idrætshal.

René Toft President Badminton Denmark

5

Live the fairy tale in Odense Experience Odense with a City Pass

The city pass costs 169 DKK and gives you free access to 10 attraction, unlimited rides on the city buses and a 50 % discont in Odense Zoo.

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Whats On in Odense?

Don’t want to miss out?

Visit our website for a list of highlights this fall/winter, i.e. the Hans Christian Andersen historical Christmas Market. If you need more details please contact us at info@visitodense.com.

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PREFACE

WELCOME TO THE YONEX DENMARK OPEN 2014 On behalf of the Municipality of Odense, it is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the Danish section of the international Badminton Superseries: the Yonex Denmark Open 2014.

The Municipality of Odense accords top priority to the area of sports and events. Staging major sporting events in Odense does more than “just” stimulate interest in sport and physical exercise in general; it also gives us the opportunity to experience elite sports – world-class sport, in this case – at first hand.

Greater emphasis has been placed on the health aspect of badminton this year. As a result, the local authority has chosen to work with the Denmark Open event as an active partner in the new school reform – by using badminton as a part of the “supportive teaching” programme at the city’s schools during the three weeks leading up to the autumn holidays, for example.

In addition, a “regional championship” was held for year 4–6 pupils at the 33 local lower secondary schools. The opportunity to watch the “real” stars in action is therefore generating a lot of anticipation, given that the majority of the local school children have actually tried badminton for themselves.

It is the eighth year in succession that the Yonex Denmark Open is being held in Odense, thanks to our excellent working relationship with the Badminton Denmark organisation, and interest in the event has grown steadily every year – as evidenced by the fact that the Sports Arena has been sold out time and time again.

The Yonex Denmark Open thus joins a small and exclusive list of major, recurring sports events that are helping to brand Odense as a particularly exciting and attractive setting for such events, both throughout Denmark and abroad.

We are also striving to follow this great example from the world of sports in the sphere of culture, where the city is proud to host a number of unique and recur-

ring events including the Hans Christian Andersen Festivals, the Karrusel party days, the Phono Festival and, in particular, Tinderbox, which will be held for the first time in 2015. Odense is thus making a real splash on the events map as a whole at the moment – filling the local population with a sense of pride and pleasure. The fact that the best badminton players in the world are currently visiting Odense to display their prowess with racquet and shuttlecock serves to underpin this feeling.

I trust that you will enjoy your visit to Odense and the beautiful island of Fyn, and I would encourage you to experience as much as possible of what Odense has to offer. The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is a “must-see”, of course, and the city is also home to a rich cultural environment, a thriving business community and an active student body. Moreover, it comprises a number of beautiful green areas and a unique historical section.

So once again: a warm welcome to you all. I am sure that Badminton Denmark, the city of Odense and all the volunteers will do their utmost to give players and spectators alike the experience of a lifetime.

Anker Boye Mayor of Odense

7

Fyn er fuld af fristelser…

SMAG PÅ DEM!

PREFACE

WELCOME TO YONEX DENMARK OPEN 2014 I would like to extend a warm welcome and much gratitude to the many enthusiastic badminton fans attending YONEX Denmark Open 2014 in the city of Odense at its eponymous Odense Sports Park.

Since 2011, YONEX has been proud to act as this Superseries Premier tournament’s title sponsor, and is happy to have the pleasure of doing so once again.

I am delighted that YONEX’s fine relationship with this tournament continues strongly, and I look forward to many more wonderful years to come.

Denmark is a nation of great historical significance in badminton, being the home to a number of legendary players. The country continues to boast a fine roster of star players, and this year’s tournament should once again prove to be a stage for the country’s finest. These Danish players have proudly exhibited their fine skills worldwide, and fans at home are certainly eager to see them compete in their homeland.

Since YONEX was founded in 1946, we have aimed to produce the highest quality products for our consumers, enriching their experience with our sports in many ways. As stated in YONEX’s mission statement, “To contribute to the development of the world’s social culture through sport and to surprise and delight our customers,” it is our great responsibility to contribute to the development of sports and players around the world. Every day, we continue to dedicate all our creativity and resources to achieve our goals.

I would like to extend my thanks to the Badminton World Federation, Badminton Denmark, and all the individuals who have been working tirelessly to help stage this event.

Finally, I wish all the players much success in what I am sure will be a wonderful tournament.

Ben Yoneyama President YONEX Co., Ltd.

9

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PREFACE

METLIFE BWF WORLD SUPERSERIES I am delighted to welcome you to the Odense Sports Park for the latest stage of the MetLife BWF World Superseries.

The Yonex Denmark Open have been played since 1935 and MetLife is looking forward to supporting it as part of our four-year partnership with BWF. MetLife is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, and we have a long tradition of supporting sport around the world with sponsorship deals for golf, tennis, cycling, cricket, American football and baseball.

The MetLife BWF World Superseries is a great way for MetLife to demonstrate our commitment to investing in and encouraging sports, healthy activities and engagement with customers, families, employees and communities around the world. Our partnership with BWF also perfectly reflects our focus on global growth as a company with more than 100 million customers worldwide.

Badminton is one of Denmark’s most popular sports with 550 clubs affiliated to the Badminton Association of Denmark and it is also one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. There is a rich heritage of Danish success in this tournament with many great Danish players winning titles including Morten Frost, Poul Erik Hoyer (BWF President) and Thomas Lund (BWF Secretary General).

This year’s Denmark Open promises to be truly exciting with players from around the world battling it out for the US$600,000 prize money. We are confident you will enjoy watching the action, sharing the experience with family and friends, and participating in MetLife’s and badminton’s spirit of wellbeing, achievement and dedication to success.

Thank you and here’s to an exciting tournament,

Dirk Ostijn Head of Western Europe, MetLife

11

Bland Yonex Denmark Open med lidt fynsk efterår

Tag en håndfuld dinosauere, et spøgelsestog, et eventyrslot og en sjat Harry Potter magi.

Så har du opskriften på et ægte fynsk eventyr i uge 42.

Nordens største dinosaurudstilling Odense ZOO inviterer indenfor til Nordens største dinosaurudstilling. Gå på opdagelse i fortidens urskov og oplev kæmperne i naturlig størrelse.

Harry Potter festival i Odense Odenses årlige Harry Potter festival samler små og store Potter-fans og byder på skriblerier med Rita Rivejern, skolestart på Hogwarts, familiekoncert i Odense Koncerthus, ægte troldmandsstemning i Diagonalstræde og meget mere.

Gru og Gys på Valdemars Slot På Valdemars Slot vågner de hvileløse sjæle og andre rastløse monstre atter op. Glæd dig til en anderledes aften med gru, skræk og gys.

Uhygge på Danmarks Jernbanemuseum I efterårsferien bliver museet fyldt med (u)hygge og spøgelsestog. Kom og vær med i det interaktive teaterstykke, hvor du skal hjælpe med at løse jernbanegåden.

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Egeskov er fyldt med aktiviteter i efterårsferien Tør du kravle op i det højeste træ i Legeskoven? Kan du skyde med bue og pil? Har du prøvet en rigtig brandsprøjte? Det og meget mere kan man opleve i efterårsferien på Egeskov.

PREFACE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE YONEX DENMARK OPEN 14-19 OCTOBER 2014 Dear Colleagues and Friends I cannot picture the Yonex Denmark Open without immediately thinking of Odense. It is one of the prettiest locations for a major badminton tournament and is steeped in so much history that it rubs off on the event as well. Odense is known worldwide as the birthplace of the father of fairytales, Hans Christian Andersen. The town with its river, old marketplace and ancient buildings, still evokes the spirit of his great stories. As audiences at the Yonex Denmark Open are well aware, actors dressed as Andersen and his famous characters participate in the prize presentations on finals day. It is such unique details that make the Yonex Denmark Open special and I hope it remains that way.

Speaking specifically of the tournament, I have been fortunate to compete in it and win the event a few times. The Danish crowd is unfailingly sporting and knowledgeable, and it is a pleasure to play at an event where the organisation is meticulous. I’ve heard this Superseries Premier tournament complimented every year by visiting players, officials, fans and media, and I trust the 2014 edition too will maintain this high standard.

One reason the Yonex Denmark Open has built a reputation is that it invests in business and media relationships. Sponsors, officials and town council members are invited for an official brunch on finals day to acknowledge their contribution. Representatives of international media have enjoyed the hospitality of Badminton Denmark during the event, and obviously this has resulted in increased coverage. If badminton

is to become a sport with a greater global following, these are the kind of steps other tournaments may need to consider. A badminton tournament is an opportunity to partner with local businesses and the tourism industry to showcase the host city, and it can contribute to the local economy.

Though we are well into this season’s MetLife BWF World Superseries, it’s the first time our new title sponsor is visiting my hometown and I would like to welcome them to Denmark. May I extend such greetings to IMG Media; also in their first stint at this event.

My heartiest congratulations to Badminton Denmark and all others involved in the hosting of this year’s Yonex Denmark Open. I’m sure it will be another wonderful success.

Poul-Erik Høyer BWF President

13

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ARTICLE

THE GREATEST BADMINTON PLAYER OF ALL TIME AT YONEX DENMARK OPEN

BY K R I S T I N E L I V L U N D - P E D E R S E N

It’s a great pleasure for Badminton Denmark that the best player of all time in many people’s opinion, Lin Dan, has chosen to enter Yonex Denmark Open. Peter Gade, who knows him really well, talks about what makes him such a great player.

Two Olympic gold medals and five World Championships speak for themselves. Lin Dan is an incredible badminton player. The former Danish men’s singles Peter Gade has played against him twenty times throughout his career, and he is sure that it’s the best badminton player ever who visits Odense this week.

“To me he is the biggest star our sport has ever had, and he is also the biggest sportsman in China.

Therefore, it’s a scoop that he is here at Yonex Denmark Open,” Peter Gade says.

time after time, he has shown that he is one of the absolute best in spite of his age. Peter Gade thinks one of the reasons for this is because he is good at taking care of himself.

“He is really good at taking care of his body, and therefore he doesn’t play every tournament, like, for example, Lee Chong Wei. Of course it’s important for the physique, but it is also very important for the motivation,” says the former men’s singles.

A FRIGHTENING PLAYER Throughout the start of this century, the two players played a lot of intense and exciting matches against each other, and Peter Gade knows what makes Lin Dan such a good player.

“He is the closest you will ever get to a complete badminton player, in my opinion. He has a fantastic physique and technique, and then he has admirable mental strength. He always has energy at the end of a match, and he never gives up. He is good at coming from behind, and he never looks tired,” Peter Gade says.

HOW TO STAY FIT Lin Dan is getting older and has turned thirty. But

There is no doubt that the rest of the men’s singles players who have entered Yonex Denmark Open have been hoping not to meet Lin Dan early in the tournament. Maybe especially the world’s number one, Lee Chong Wei, who has lost two Olympic finals to Lin Dan. “He is for sure a player you don’t want to draw. I think he doesn’t care whether he is seeded or not. If he prepares well for the tournament, he is the best player of the day. But I really do admire the way Lee Chong Wei enters every tournament and almost never loses a match and always plays to win,” Peter Gade says.

17

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I sælger til en Salgsperioden er 31. oktober til 24. december 2014.

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Badmintonspiller, Peter Gade Pris 20 kr.

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19

ARTICLE

FORMER

WINNERS

2013-2014 US$ 400.000,-

2010-2011 ODENSE US$ 200.000,-

MS: Chen Long China WS: Wang Yihan China HD: Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong Korea WD: Bao Yixin/Tang Jinhua China MxD: Zahng Nan/Zhao Yunlei China

MS: Jan Ø. Jørgensen Denmark WS: Yihan Wang China MD: Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen Denmark WD: Miyuki Maeda/Satoko Suetsuna Japan MxD: Thomas Laybourn/Kamilla Rytter Juhl Denmark

2012-2013 ODENSE US$ 400.000,-

2009-2010 ODENSE

MS: Lee Chong Wei Malaysia WS: Saina Nehwal India MD: Shin Baek-Choel/Yoo Yeon Seong Korea WD: Jin Ma/Jinhua Tang China MxD: Chen Xu/Jin Ma China

MS: Simon Santoso, Indonesien WS: Tine Baun, Denmark MD: Kien Keat Koo/Boon Heong, Malaysia WD: Pan Pan/Yawen Zhang, China MX: Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen, Denmark

2011-2012 ODENSE US$ 400.000,-

2008-2009 ODENSE

MS: Long Chen China WS: Xin Wang China MD: Jae Sung Jung/Yong Dae Lee Korea WD: Xiaoli Wang/Yang (F) Yu China MxD: Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen Denmark

MS: Peter Gade Denmark WS: Lin Wang China MD: Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan Indonesia WD: Eei Hui Chin/Pei Tty Wong Malaysia MxD: Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen Denmark

>>

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ARTICLE

2007-08, ODENSE

2000-2001 FARUM

HS: DS: HD: DD: MX:

HS: DS: HD: DD: MD:

Lin Dan, Kina Lu Lan, Kina Kien Keat Koo/Boon Heong TAN, Malaysia Wei Yang/Jiewen Zhang, Kina Hanbin He/Yang Yu, Kina

Peter Gade, Danmark Mi Zhou, Kina Eng Hian/F landy Limpele, Indonesien Lin Chen/ Xuelian Jiang, Kina Michael Søgaard/ Rikke Olsen, Danmark

2006-07 ÅRHUS

1999-2000 VEJLE

HS: DS: HD: DD: MX:

HS: DS: HD: DD: MD:

Chen Hong, Kina Jiang Yanjiao, Kina Lars Paaske/ Jonas Rasmussen, Danmark Kamila Augustyn/ Nadiezda Kostiuczyk, Polen Anthony Clark/ Donna Kellogg, England

Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, Danmark Camilla Martin, Danmark Martin Lundgaard Hansen/ Lars Paaske, Danmark Qin Yiyuan/ Gao Ling, Kina Liu Yong/ Ge Fei, Kina

2005-06 ÅRHUS

1998-1999 VEJLE

HS: DS: HD: DD: MX:

HS: DS: HD: DD: MD:

Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia Pi Hong Yan, Frankrig Chong Ming Chan/ Kien Keat Koo, Malaysia Kumiko Ogura/ Reiko Shiota, Japan Thomas Laybourn/ Kamilla R. Juhl, Danmark

Peter Gade Christensen, Danmark Camilla Martin, Danmark Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky, Indonesien Qin Yiyan/Tang Hetian, Kina Jon Holst-Christensen/Ann Jørgensen, Danmark

2004-2005 ÅRHUS

1997-1998 VEJLE

HS: DS: HD: DD: MX:

HS: DS: HD: DD: MD:

Lin Dan, Kina Xie Xingfang, Kina Lars Paaske/ Jonas Rasmussen, Danmark Wie Yili/ Zhao Tingting, Kina Chen Qiqiu/ Zhao Tingting, Kina

Dong Jiong, Kina Camilla Martin, Danmark Jon Holst-Christensen/Michael Søgaard, Danmark Ann Jørgensen/Majken Vange, Danmark Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen, Danmark

2003-2004 ÅRHUS

1996-1997 MIDDELFART

HS: DS: HD: DD: MX:

HS: DS: HD: DD: MD:

Lin Dan, Kina Gong Ruina, Kina Ha Tae Kwon/ Kim Dong Moon, Korea Yang Wei/ Zhang Jiewen, Kina Kim Dong Moon/ Ra Kyung Min, Korea

Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen, Danmark Zhichao Gong, Kina Thomas Stavngaard/ Jim Laugesen, Danmark Rikke Olsen/Helene Kirkegaard, Danmark Michael Søgaard/Rikke Olsen, Danmark

2002-2003 FARUM

1995-1996 ODENSE

HS: Chen Hong, Kina DS: Camilla Martin, Danmark HD: Kim Dong Moon/ Ha Tae Kwon, Korea DD: Wei Yilli/ Zhao Tingting, Kina MxD: Kim Dong Moon/ Hwang Yu Mi, Korea

HS: DS: HD: DD: MD:

2001-2002 FARUM

1994-1995 ESBJERG

HS: DS: HD: DD: MD:

HS: DS: HD: DD: MD:

Bao Chunlai, Kina Camilla Martin, Danmark Martin Lundgaard Hansen/ Lars Paaske, Danmark Helene Kirkegaard/ Rikke Olsen, Danmark Tri Kush Aryanto/ Emma Ermawati, Indonesien

Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, Danmark Lim Xiao Qing, Sverige Thomas Lund/Jon Holst-Christensen, Danmark Lisbet Stuer-Lauridsen/Marlene Thomsen, Danmark Cheng Xingdong/Peng Xingyong, China

Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, Danmark Camilla Martin, Danmark Denny Kantono/S. Antonius, Indonesien Lim Xiao Qing/Christine Magnusson, Sverige Thomas Lund/Marlene Thomsen, Danmark

21

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ARTICLE

DENMARK – EXPECT NEW WAYS When it comes to international sporting events hosted in Denmark you can always expect something new. Over the years Denmark has hosted a large number of prestigious World and European Championships, World Cups, congresses etc. And every time the specific event has had a twist or even been added new elements.

BY S P O R T E V E N T D E N M A R K

MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN EVER BEFORE The Danish ambition for hosting international sporting events is high. The objective is that each event that comes to Denmark leaves better and more attractive than before. As a host the national event partners always strive to exceed the expectations and the experience of the stakeholders, participants and spectators.

Always looking for new ways of doing things and with long experience in successfully hosting a wide range of sporting events, Denmark has a long tradition for finding new ways.

Using social media platforms and technology, arranging a lot of different side events up to and during the events, presenting spectacular event set up and initiating promotion activities nationally and internationally are just some of the elements used.

GAME CHANGER This August Denmark hosted the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships. Denmark had waited 15 years to bring the World Badminton Championships back to Copenhagen.

An impressive and innovative event set-up was lined up for players, spectators, officials and the International Badminton Federation (BWF) at the 2014 edition of the event. Not only was the event staged in a top of the art Velodrome but the presentation of the sport and players was also out of the extraordinary. The setting of spotlights underlined the main characters of the event: The players. As an example the players were presented individually – and gigantic screens above the courts also announced players and results.

The World Badminton Championships has been staged in Denmark four times ´- 1983, 1991, 1999 and 2014 – and as the curtain closed on a thrilling 2014

event, the Danish organizers confirmed that, if it were entirely their choice, Denmark won’t have to wait long to stage future World Badminton Championships.

SELECTED EVENTS IN DENMARK • IOC Session and XIII Olympic Congress 2009 • UCI Track Cycling World Championships 2010 • UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2011 • UCI Road World Championships 2011 • Start of cycling’s Giro d’Italia 2012 • FEI European Jumping and Dressage

Championships 2013 • LEN European Short Course Swimming

Championships 2013 • EHF Handball European Championship 2014 • IAAF World Half Marathon Championships 2014 • European Tour Golf – Made in Denmark 2014+ • BWF Badminton World Championships 2014 • WA World Archery Championship 2015 • IIHF Mens’ Ice Hockey World Championship 2018 • ISAF Sailing World Championships 2018 • IHF World Men’s Handball Championship 2019 • UEFA EURO 2020

www.SportEventDenmark.com www.facebook.com/SportEventDenmark www.twitter.com/SporteventDK #sporteventDK

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PROFILES | MEN’S SINGLE

CHINESE STEALS THE ATTENTION FROM THE WORLD’S TOP The field in men’s singles may be the strongest ever in the Yonex Denmark Open.

Everyone from the top nine in the world ranking has signed up to participate.

However, we need to look further down the ranking to find the man that is stealing the attention. The multiple-time Olympic and World Champion, Chinese Lin Dan, completes an extraordinary field in men’s singles.

BY K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

MEN’S SINGLE | PROFILES

tied the score at 2–2. Chen Long started 2014 by winning the Korea Open, but afterward he had to wait until August and the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships before he once again could step onto the highest step on the podium. Chen Long is the defending champion in the Yonex Denmark Open, after defeating Lee Chong Wei in last year’s final.

Jan Joergensen

Lee Chong Wei Malaysia – No. 1 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) For several years Lin Dan has outshined him, and therefore Lee Chong Wei has never won the Olympics or the World Championship. He recently lost the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships final against Chen Long in Denmark, and once again he missed the chance of winning the finest gold in badminton.

On the other hand, Lee Chong Wei has an impressive number of Super Series wins. In 2014 the elegant Malaysian won the Malaysia Open, the All England, the India Open, and the Japan Open. The collection might grow to five as he aims for a third win at the Yonex Denmark Open. The last time Lee Chong Wei won the Yonex Denmark Open was in 2012.

Chen Long China – No. 2 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) The 25-year-old Chinese man reached a new career high, winning the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships on August 31. Chen Long played excellently from the first round to the final, where he defeated the favorite, Lee Chong Wei, in two exciting sets. It was the fourth final between Lee Chong Wei and Chen Long in 2014, and by winning the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, Chen Long

Denmark – No. 3 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) The best men’s singles player in Denmark established himself in the world’s top after winning the Yonex Denmark Open in 2010. This season has been great for Jan Joergensen. In the Japan Open, for the second time in his career, he defeated Lin Dan, and one week later he defeated Chen Long in the semifinal in the Indonesia Open, where he went on to have the greatest victory ever, defeating Japanese Kenichi Tago in the final. However, the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships on home ground ended in a big disappointment when he had to withdraw with an injury in the third round.

Lin Dan China – No. 15 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) It does not often happen that we have to go all the way to the number 15 in the world ranking to find the major favorite. Even though Lin Dan has been away from the badminton court for long periods since the Olympics in 2012, he still is the favorite every time he participates in a tournament. Last year he played almost only the World Championship, which he won anyway. He is being called the best men’s singles player of all time, and that is only confirmed by the Chinese collection of five World Championship gold medals and two Olympic gold medals. He has only lost one match in 2014, against Danish Jan Joergensen in the Japan Open. Lin Dan has won the Yonex Denmark Open three times in his career.

OUTSIDERS: Kenichi Tago (Japan), Tommy Sugiarto (Indonesia), Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (Denmark), Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)

INTERESTING DANES: Emil Holst, Rasmus Fladberg

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PROFILER | HERRESINGLE

KINESER STJÆLER OPMÆRKSOMHEDEN FRA VERDENSTOPPEN Feltet i herresingle er måske det stærkeste nogensinde til Yonex Denmark Open.

Således har verdensranglistens ni bedste spillere alle meldt deres ankomst. Men vi skal lidt længere ned på ranglisten for at finde ham, der løber med opmærksomheden. Den flerdobbelte OL- og VM-guldvinder, kineseren Lin Dan, fuldender nemlig det uhyggeligt stærke felt i herresingle.

A F K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

HERRESINGLE | PROFILER

Lee Chong Wei

Chen Long

Malaysia – Nr. 1 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Han har i mange år stået i skyggen af Lin Dan, og derfor har Lee Chong Wei endnu ikke vundet hverken VM eller OL. Seneste tabte han VM-finalen i Danmark til Chen Long og måtte endnu engang se sig besejret i kampen om det fineste badminton-guld. Til gengæld har Lee Chong Wei hentet imponerende mange sejre i Super Series. Den elegante malaysier har i 2014 vundet Malaysia Open, All England, India Open og Japan Open. Den samling kan vokse til fem, når han forsøger at vinde Yonex Denmark Open for tredje gang i karrieren. Senest Lee Chong Wei vandt turneringen var i 2012.

Kina – Nr. 2 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Den 25-årige kinesers karriere nåede et nyt højdepunkt, da han den 31. august vandt VM. Chen Long spillede fremragende fra første kamp og hele vejen til finalen, hvor han besejrede favoritten Lee Chong Wei i to tætte sæt. Det var den fjerde finale de to spillede mod hinanden i 2014 og med VM-sejren udlignede Chen Long til stillingen 2-2. Chen Long indledte 2014 med at vinde Korea Open, men herefter måtte han vente helt til august og netop VM før han igen kunne stille sig øverst på sejrsskamlen. Chen Long er forsvarende mester i Yonex Denmark Open, efter han sidste år besejrede netop Lee Chong Wei i finalen.

Jan Ø. Jørgensen Danmark – Nr. 3 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Danmarks bedste herresingle har siden sejren i Yonex Denmark Open 2010 etableret sig i den absolutte verdenstop. 2014 har været en stor sæson for Jan Ø. Jørgensen. I Japan Open besejrede han for anden gang i karrieren Lin Dan, og ugen efter var det så Chen Long, der blev slået i semifinalen ved Indonesian Open, hvor det blev til karrierens største sejr, da han slog verdensranglistens nummer fire, japanske Kenichi Tago, i finalen. Til gengæld blev VM på hjemmebane en stor nedtur, da han skadet måtte trække sig i tredje runde.

Lin Dan Kina – Nr. 15 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Det sker sjældent, at vi skal så langt ned på verdensranglisten for at finde den helt store favorit. Men selvom Lin Dan har været meget væk fra badmintonbanen siden OL i 2012, så er han alligevel favorit, hver gang han stiller til start. Sidste år spillede han stort set kun VM, som han alligevel vandt. Han er af mange blevet kaldt den bedste herresinglespiller nogensinde, og det bliver kun bekræftet af kineserens fem gange VM-guld og to gange OL-guldmedaljer.

Han har kun tabt én kamp i 2014 – og det var i Japan Open til danske Jan Ø. Jørgensen. Lin Dan har vundet Yonex Denmark Open tre gange i karrieren.

OUTSIDERE: Kenichi Tago (Japan), Tommy Sugiarto (Indonesia), Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (Danmark), Viktor Axelsen (Danmark)

SPÆNDENDE DANSKERE: Emil Holst, Rasmus Fladberg

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ARTICLE

THE LI-NING BWF WORLD BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS – THROUGH THE EYES OF

VIKTOR AXELSEN The Danish men’s single Viktor Axelsen won his first medal at a senior World Championship this august, when he took the bronze in Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen. Through these pictures you can follow him before and after play and under each picture you can read what goes through his mind at the moment when the picture is taken.

P H OTO G R A P H E R : M A R I E H A L D

It was an amazing experience to walk into the arena. Especially entering the quarter- and semifinals gave me goosebumps.

ARTICLE

It didn’t take long before I had to make up my mind about the game.

It was cool to feel the great attention about the championships

I had to concentrate when pulling of the tape after a match. I think about what I can do to the blister.

The temperature in the arena was high and it didn’t take long before I had a nasty blister. Luckily I had the time to see a podiatrist. Wrapped up with a lot of tape it worked just fine.

I went directly to mixed zone where the journalists were ready with their questions.

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After each game I received treatment by our physiotherapist Michael Riis who worked hard and did really well during the championships.

It was nice with a good treatment and some time to relax and talk about all kinds of things.

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PROFILES | WOMEN’S SINGLE

SPANISH WORLD CHAMPION AGAINST CHINESE TRIO The world champion, Spain’s Carolina Marin, will once again have to play her very best if she is going to celebrate another great victory in Denmark. She will be competing against everyone in the top 15 in the world ranking, where Carolina Marin is the only European. The Chinese in particular must be keen for World Championship revenge. There will be a lot of drama in the women’s singles, where China is bringing the three highest-ranked players in the world to the Yonex Denmark Open.

BY K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

WOMEN’S SINGLE | PROFILES

semifinal to the later winner of the tournament, Indian Saina Nehwal. Wang Shixian’s only weak spot seems to be India. At the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, she lost in the quarterfinal to Indian Sindhu V. P., and both Sindhu and Nehwal are leading the head-to-head matches against world ranking number two, Wang Shixian.

Wang Yihan (China)

Li Xuerui (China) No. 1 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) It is no coincidence that Olympic Champion Li Xuerui is comfortably leading the world ranking. The 23-year-old Chinese woman has been completely outstanding throughout the whole year. She has reached the final in every tournament she has participated in. Her impressive streak of finals began at the Super Series Finals last year, where Lu Xuerui did not give her opponents more than 15 points in any set in her five matches. In 2014 she has won the Malaysia Open, the Japan Open, and the Indonesia Open, and she was the runner-up at the All England, the India Open, the Singapore Open, and most recently at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, where she lost an exciting three-set final against the Spanish Carolina Marin. Li Xuerui won 20 games in a row before her defeat in the World Championship final.

Wang Shixian (China) No. 2 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) The Chinese women’s singles player has been top class during the entire 2014 season. Particularly the first half of the year, they were untouchable. Wang Shixian is a major part of that. In March she won the All England, defeating Li Xuerui, and a month later she repeated the victory at the India Open. At the Australian Open, she could have secured the ninth Chinese Super Series win in a row, but she lost in the

No. 3 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) Wang Yihan is the defending champion of the Yonex Denmark Open, and she also completes the great Chinese trio in women’s singles. However, the 26-year-old Chinese woman is struggling with her form.

In her last three tournaments, she has been out before the quarterfinals. Nevertheless, Wang Yihan has to be considered one of the top favorites, since in 2014 she has had two Super Series wins in Korea and Singapore while she also won the Swiss Open.

Her victory in last year’s Yonex Denmark Open was secured after a 22–20 win in the third set against Korean Ji Hyun Sung.

Carolina Marin (Spain) No. 8 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) There is no doubt that Carolina Marin surprised everyone at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships in Denmark. Not only did she become the crowd’s favorite, she also ended up as the first ever Spanish World Champion in badminton. She defeated Li Xuerui in the final, armed with a fantastic left hand. Twenty-one-year-old Carolina Marin won a number of smaller tournaments before she won the European Championship in April. Her first appearance in a Super Series final came in the Australian Open, where she lost against Saina Nehwal. However, two months later, she was on top of the podium in Ballerup Super-Arena with the World Championship gold medal around her neck. That is why Carolina Marin has to be considered one of the absolute hottest names in international women’s singles.

OUTSIDERS: Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand), Saina Nehwal (India), Ji Hyun Sung (Korea), Sindhu P. V. (India)

INTERESTING DANES: Line Kjærsfeldt, Anna Thea Madsen, Sandra-Maria Jensen

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PROFILER | DAMESINGLE

SPANSK VERDENSMESTER MOD KINESISK TREKLØVER Verdensmester i damesingle, Carolina Marin, skal finde sit absolutte topniveau frem, hvis hun igen skal hente en stor sejr på dansk grund. Hun skal nemlig op mod alle i verdens top 15, hvor spanieren er det eneste europæiske islæt. Specielt de kinesiske damesingler må være opsatte på VM-revanche. Kineserne kommer til Yonex Denmark Open med verdens tre højest rangerede spillere, så der er lagt op til endnu en dramatisk damesingleturnering.

A F K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

DAMESINGLE | PROFILER

Li Xuerui (Kina) Nr. 1 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Det er ikke uden grund, at den olympiske mester Li Xuerui fører verdensranglisten ganske overbevisende.

Den 23-årige kineser har været aldeles fremragende igennem hele året. Samtlige turneringer hun er stillet op i, er hun nået hele vejen til finalen. Den suveræne finalestime begyndte allerede ved Super Seriesfinalerne sidste år, hvor Li Xuerui vandt overlegent uden at afgive mere end 15 point i et sæt over sine fem kampe. Hun har i 2014 vundet Malaysia Open, Japan Open og Indonesia Open, mens hun er blevet nummer to ved All England, India Open, Singapore Open og seneste ved VM, da hun tabte en spændende kamp i tre sæt til spanske Carolina Marin. Inden nederlaget i VM-finalen havde Li Xuerui vundet 20 kampe i træk.

Wang Shixian (Kina) Nr. 2 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) De kinesiske damesingler har været i allerhøjeste klasse i løbet af 2014-sæsonen. Specielt i den første halvdel af året var kineserne urørlige. Og det har Wang Shixian sin andel af æren for. Tilbage i marts

vandt hun All England, inden hun måneden efter igen besejrede landsmanden Li Xuerui i finalen ved India Open. Ved sommerens Australian Open kunne hun have sikret den niende kinesiske Super Series-sejr ud af ni mulige, men her blev hun stoppet i semifinalen af den senere vinder, indiske Saina Nehwal. Wang Shixians eneste svage punkt ser ud til at være indisk.

Ved VM tabte hun til Sindhu P. V. i kvartfinalen. Både Nehwal og Sindhu fører nemlig de indbyrdes kampe mod verdensranglistens nummer to.

Wang Yihan (Kina) Nr. 3 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Den forsvarende Yonex Denmark Open-mester, Wang Yihan, er den sidste i det suveræne kinesiske trekløver, der har distanceret sig fra alle andre på verdensranglisten. Men den 26-årige kineser kæmper lidt med at finde tilbage i storform. De sidste tre turneringer er hun blevet slået ud allerede før kvartfinalerne. Alligevel må Wang Yihan betragtes som en af de absolutte favoritter, da hun alene i 2014 har hentet to Super Series-sejre i henholdsvis Korea og Singapore, mens hun også vandt Swiss Open. Wang Yihan har vist sig i stand til at holde nerverne i ro.

Da hun sidste år vandt Yonex Denmark Open, blev sejren sikret med 22-20 i tredje sæt over koreaneren Ji Hyun Sung.

Carolina Marin (Spanien) Nr. 8 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Man kan roligt sige, at spanske Carolina Marin tog alle med storm under VM i Danmark. Ikke alene blev hun publikumsfavorit, hun endte også med at blive den første spanske verdensmester i badminton.

Bevæbnet med en fremragende venstrehånd, slog hun Li Xuerui i finalen. 21-årige Carolina Marin har vundet en række mindre turneringer, inden hun i april blev Europamester. Ved Super Series-turneringen i Australien stod hun for første gang i en stor finale, som hun tabte til Saina Nehwal. Men to måneder senere stod hun så øverst på skamlen i Ballerup Super Arena med VM-guld om halsen. Carolina Marin må derfor betragtes som et af de absolut hotteste navne i international damesingle.

OUTSIDERE: Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand), Saina Nehwal (Indien), Ji Hyun Sung (Korea), Sindhu P. V. (Indien)

SPÆNDENDE DANSKERE: Line Kjærsfeldt, Anna Thea Madsen, Sandra-Maria Jensen

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ARTICLE

THE POPULAR DANISH COACHES

BY K R I S T I N E L I V L U N D - P E D E R S E N

A number of Danish badminton coaches are working abroad, and the candidates from the small country in the North are very attractive in the rest of the world. The journey to Germany, England, or Spain is exciting, but the cultural differences also create some challenges for Danish coaches abroad.

He looks calm with his hands folded in his lap, looking at what is going on at court. A few seconds later, he jumps around in joy and hugs the Spanish national coach Fernando Rivas, when Chinese Li Xuerui hits the shuttle into the net. Anders Thomsen has been a part of the making of a world champion.

“In 2008 Fernando Rivas and I said that we believed Carolina Marin could win the World Championship or the Olympic Games once. That was our goal with her,

but not many people believed us. We had faith, and so did Carolina. Maybe we had expected it to happen later, but now was the time,” says Anders Thomsen, who is assistant national coach in Spain, where he has been working since 2008.

Anders Thomsen was back in Denmark when 21-year-old Carolina Marin won the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships in women’s singles in the most spectacular way and surprised everybody. The

ARTICLE

Danish coach traveled to Spain in 2008 and has been working with the Spanish players ever since.

“I saw a job ad on Badminton Europa’s webpage and then I sent my CV to them, and after a week of practice, they offered me a contract. I’ve always

RUBBER-STAMPED DANES Anders Thomsen and Jakob Høi are both sure that it is easier to get a job as badminton coach abroad just because they are from Denmark. Denmark is a badminton nation with great traditions and a club culture that other countries admire.

“We have a lot of active players and a good club structure in Denmark. There is a natural respect for me as a coach because I am from Denmark, but of course it’s not enough. I still need to do my job well.

Because I bring the Danish badminton culture with me, I am able to be critical all the time. I want to be involved in youth work, education for coaches, and national competitions,” Jakob Høi says.

“I’m sure that we have kind of a rubber stamp because we come from Denmark. It has been easier for me to get a job here in Spain because I’m from Denmark.

We have kind of a ‘fame’ in Europe because a lot of people know that Danish coaches are good quality,” Anders Thomsen says.

RESPECT DIFFERENT CULTURES

known that I wanted to work abroad at one point, but I didn’t think that it would be for so long,” Anders Thomsen says.

MANY EMIGRANTS Anders Thomsen is not the only one who has been chosen to leave the safe, well-known, and privileged badminton environment in Denmark to work abroad.

A lot of countries have employed Danish coaches, among them Germany, New Zealand and Holland.

Jakob Høi is national head coach in England. He worked as U-19 national coach in Denmark and national head coach in Germany before he traveled to England.

“I have always been attracted by other cultures and like the challenge in the meeting with people from different cultures. I have always wanted to work abroad, but it had to be in countries where there were some decent badminton to work with. It suited my ambitions well to work in countries where the players could compete with the Danish players,” Jakob Høi says.

Of course Danish coaches have a lot of experiences from Denmark and maybe also a picture of how things should be when they work abroad, but for Anders Thomsen it has also been very important to be humble in the way he works and to respect the Spanish culture.

“Of course you have to get used to the fact that some things are different, and of course there are some things that annoy me. But it is important to understand that I’m the foreigner here, and I’m really happy to be here. Otherwise I wouldn’t have stayed for such a long time,” he says.

Jakob Høi has also experienced that the approach to the sport is different in other European countries, an experience that he has gained a lot of learning from.

“You cannot just ‘copy-paste’ things you, for example, have been doing in Denmark. The differences in each country are too great. I’ve grown as a person and as a coach in England, and I have learned to question some of the things we do in Denmark. I’ve learned to work in a very analytic way, because the development has to be proved if you want to get support in England. Therefore, the buttons we push have to be the right ones,” he says.

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PROFILES | MEN’S DOUBLES

THE KOREAN CAVALRY For several years Korea has had a tradition of producing top-class men’s doubles.

That was highly evident at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, where two Korean couples were in the final. Two of the Korean couples will be at the Yonex Denmark Open as, respectively, defending champions and world champions. Naturally, that gives them the status of favorites. However, there are a lot of strong couples in the men’s doubles – including home favorites Carsten Mogensen and Mathias Boe.

BY K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

MEN’S DOUBLES | PROFILES

All England. At the Thomas Cup, they defeated the world number one, Lee and Yoo, and they got all the way to the final in the Japan Open and the Indonesia Open. Both times they were runners-up. They also became runners-up in last year’s Yonex Denmark Open. However, with a fully recovered Mohammad Ahsan, the Indonesians will as usual be among the big favorites.

Mathias Boe / Carsten Mogensen

Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong Korea – No. 1 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) Measured by the latest couple of seasons, there is no doubt that Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong are the best men’s doubles in the world. However, even the very best are not unbeatable. Even though the two Koreans have a huge lead in the world ranking, and even though they won the Japan Open, the Indonesia Open, and the Australian Open, coming into the LiNing BWF World Badminton Championships, they lost the final when their countrymen Ko Song Hyun and Shin Baek Choel put their winning streak to an end. Lee and Yoo are the defending champions of the Yonex Denmark Open, and they will get the chance for World Championship revenge when they play in Odense.

Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan Indonesia – No. 2 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) The 2013 world champions never got the chance to defend their title because a back injury forced Ahsan to withdraw. When they are free of injuries and back in shape, the Indonesian couple can defeat everyone. They ended last season by winning the Super Series Finals, and this season they won the

Denmark – No. 4 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen have been the best men’s doubles in Europe for many years, and according to them, the Asian players do not like to play against their Danish style. Boe and Mogensen have found their way to several major finals with a strong attacking game and great tactical knowledge. In 2011 they won both the All England and the Super Series Finals. The following year they won silver at the Olympics in London, and last year they lost the final in the World Championship against the Indonesians Ahsan and Setiawan. This year they collected another medal at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, reaching the semifinal on home ground. Although they have been defeated in the greatest finals, the Danes frequently win Super Series tournaments. In 2014 they have won both the Korea Open and the India Open, and as former Yonex Denmark Open champions, the expectations are high for Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen.

Ko Sung Hyun/Shin Baek Choel Korea – No. 9 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) These are the defending world champions, who won a memorable final at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships against countrymen Lee and Yoo. Three unbelievably close and entertaining sets made a reasonable season turn into a career high. One half of couple, 27-year-old Ko Sung Hyun, was also in a World Championship final in 2011, but back then he ended as runner-up. Ko and Shin have played together for a year. On their way to the World Championships, they managed to reach the semifinal only twice, in the All England and the Singapore Open. However, winning the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships has brought them into the absolute top of the men’s doubles.

OUTSIDERS: Kenichi Hayakawa/Hiroyuki Endo (Japan), Kim Sa Rang/ Kim Gi Jung (Korea), Fu Haifeng/Zhang Nan (China)

INTERESTING DANES: Mads Pieler Kolding/Mads Conrad-Petersen, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen/Kim Astrup Sørensen, Mathias Christiansen/David Daugaard

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PROFILER | HERREDOUBLE

KOREANSKE KAVALERI I HERREDOUBLE Korea har gennem mange år haft tradition for at producere den ene topklasse herredouble efter den anden. Det så man i høj grad ved VM, hvor finalen var et rent koreansk opgør. To af de koreanske doubler kommer til Yonex Denmark Open som henholdsvis forsvarende mestre og verdensmestre. Det giver dem naturligvis favoritværdigheden, men der er rigtig mange stærke par med i turneringen heriblandt hjemmebanefavoritterne Carsten Mogensen og Mathias Boe. A F K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

HERREDOUBLE | PROFILER

Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong Korea – Nr. 1 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Der kan ikke herske nogen tvivl om, at Lee Yong Dae og Yoo Yeon Seong er verdens bedste herredouble målt over de seneste sæsoner. Men selv de allerbedste er ikke uovervindelige. De to koreanere fører ganske vist verdensranglisten kæmpe stort, ligesom de op til VM vandt både Japan Open, Indonesia Open og Australian Open, men da de stod overfor landsmændene Ko Sung Hyun og Shin Baek Choel i VM-finalen fik stimen en ende. Som forsvarende mestre i Yonex Denmark Open, får Lee og Yoo dog chancen for at revanchere VM-finalenederlaget i Odense.

Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan Indonesien – Nr. 2 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Verdensmestrene fra 2013 nåede aldrig at få chancen for at forsvare titlen, da de måtte melde afbud, fordi Ahsan havde problemer med ryggen. Når den indonesiske herredouble ellers er kampklar, så er de

i stand til at besejre alle. De sluttede sidste sæson af med at vinde Super Series-finalen, og i denne sæson har de vundet All England. Ved Thomas Cup slog de verdensetterne Lee og Yoo, mens de spillede sig hele vejen frem til finalen ved Japan Open og Indonesia Open. Begge gange blev det dog til finalenederlag.

Nederlag blev det også i sidste års finale ved Yonex Denmark Open. Men med en skadesfri Mohammad Ahsan tilbage på banen, så er indoneserne som vanlig at finde blandt de helt store favoritter.

Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen Danmark – Nr. 4 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Mathias Boe og Carsten Mogensen har i mange år været Europas klart stærkeste herredouble, og ifølge dem selv, så er asiaterne ikke særlig glade for at møde den danske herredouble. Med en stærk offensiv og en stor taktisk forståelse har Boe og Mogensen formået at spille sig frem til mange store finaler. I 2011 vandt de både All England og Super Series sæsonfinalen. Året efter vandt de OL-sølv i London, mens de sidste år nåede hele vejen til VM-finalen, hvor de tabte til indoneserne Ahsan og Setiawan. I år blev det til endnu en VM-medalje, da danskerne nåede semifinalen på hjemmebane. Selvom det er blevet til nederlag i de helt store finaler, så stryger danskerne jævnligt til tops i Super Series-turneringer. Alene i år har de vundet både Korea Open og India Open, og som tidligere vindere af Yonex Denmark Open, er der igen store forventninger til Mathias Boe og Carsten Mogensen.

Ko Sung Hyun/Shin Baek Choel Korea – Nr. 9 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) De regerende verdensmestre, der spillede en mindeværdig VM-finale, hvor de overraskede og vandt over landsmændene Lee og Yoo. Tre usandsynlig tætte og velspillede sæt gjorde en nogenlunde sæson til karrierens absolutte højdepunkt. Den ene halvdel af doublen, 27-årige Ko Sung Hyun, var også i VMfinalen i 2011, men dengang måtte han nøjes med en sølvmedalje. Ko og Shin har spillet sammen de seneste år, men frem mod VM havde de to kun formået at spille sig frem til en semifinale i to turneringer, All England og Singapore Open. Med sejren ved VM kan de nu måske bide sig endelig fast i den absolutte verdenstop.

OUTSIDERE: Kenichi Hayakawa / Hiroyuki Endo (Japan), Kim Sa Rang / Kim Gi Jung (Korea), Fu Haifeng / Zhang Nan (Kina)

SPÆNDENDE DANSKERE: Mads Pieler Kolding / Mads Conrad-Petersen, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen / Kim Astrup Sørensen, Mathias Christiansen / David Daugaard

45

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PROFILES | WOMEN’S DOUBLES

DANES WILL CHALLENGE CHINESE DOMINANCE Kamilla Rytter Juhl and Christinna Pedersen both have won the Yonex Denmark Open, but never in women’s doubles. Once again the Danes get another chance, where they are among the favorites. However, as usual the competition in women’s doubles is tough, and China especially is bringing several world-class doubles.

The Chinese is bringing the two World Championship finalists, and the defending champions of the Yonex Denmark Open also represent China. Therefore, it will be a difficult task for Rytter Juhl and Pedersen to win on their home ground.

BY K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

WOMEN’S DOUBLES | PROFILES

women’s doubles in the world. In 2013 they ended a great year by winning the Super Series Finals, and they were voted badminton players of the year in Denmark. This year they have reached the semifinals several times, and they were runners-up at the Singapore Open, losing to Bao and Tang from China.

They have physical strength like no other couple in Europe, and they are the defending European champions. They have both won the Yonex Denmark Open in mixed doubles, but after losing in last year’s women’s doubles final, they must be even more determined to win at home this year.

Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo (Japan)

Tang Jinhua/Bao Yixin (China) No. 1 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) At the top of the world ranking, we find these young Chinese players. Nevertheless, they had only one game at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships. They were first seed in the tournament but lost in the second round after a bye in the first round. Tang and Bao are both very young, and they have been the dominating couple since they were teamed up in the fall of 2013. Back then they had a winning streak of seven competitions in a row, including the Yonex Denmark Open. Their streak was not broken until the All England tournament, where they lost in the second round. Quickly they returned to a winning course and won the Swiss Open and the Singapore Open. However, they have lacked form during the summer, where they lost in the quarterfinal in the Japan Open and, most recently, the disappointing defeat at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships. None of that changes the fact that they are the defending champions at the Yonex Denmark Open and once again among the favorites.

Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Denmark) No. 2 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) Stability has brought the Danes to the second position in the world ranking. Through several years, both of them have made a strong impression in mixed doubles, and when they won the Malaysian Open two years ago, they also stepped up among the best

No. 3 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) Japan has brought itself into a strong international position in badminton, with several strong couples in women’s doubles. Among the couples are Takahashi and Matsutomo, ranked number three in the world.

Although they lost in the third round at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, they have had a tremendous 2014. They were the runnersup at the Malaysian Open, they won the German Open, and they had a very popular win at home in the Japan Open. Prior to the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, 24-year-old Takahashi and 22-year-old Matsutomo were also runners-up at the Australian Open. Thus, the resistant Japanese have to be counted among the favorites in Yonex Denmark Open, reaching the semifinals last year.

Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei (China) No. 4 in the world ranking Zhao Yunlei is without doubt one of the best female double players of all time. The 28-year-old Chinese woman won two Olympic gold medals in London in 2012 in mixed doubles and women’s doubles with Tian Qing. She did the same thing at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, where she once again won two gold medals – also this time with Tian Qing in women’s doubles. Though Tian and Zhao started 2014 a little unstable, reaching only two quarterfinals and a semifinal, they found a superb form after the Uber Cup in May. First they won the Indonesia Open and then the Australian Open, and finally they won the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships. In the Yonex Denmark Open they will get the chance to add yet another great victory to the list since neither of them has ever won the Yonex Denmark Open in women’s doubles.

OUTSIDERS: Yu Yang (F) / Wang Xiaoli (China), Ma Jin / Tang Yuanting (China), Reika Kaaiiwa / Miyuki Maeda (Japan), Greysia Polii / Nitya Krishinda Maheswari (Indonesia)

INTERESTING DANES: Line Damkjær Kruse/Marie Røpke, Camilla Martens/Celine Juel, Sara Thygesen/Maiken Fruergaard

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PROFILER | DAMEDOUBLE

DANSK DAMEDOUBLE SKAL UDFORDRE DEN KINESISKE DOMINANS Kamilla Rytter Juhl og Christinna Pedersen har begge vundet Yonex Denmark Open, men aldrig i damedouble. Nu får danskerne igen chancen, når de er blandt favoritterne. Men som altid er konkurrencen i damedouble hård, og specielt Kina stiller til start med flere verdensklasse doubler. Kineserne stiller til start med de to finalepar fra VM, ligesom de forsvarende Yonex Denmark Open mestre også er fra Kina. Så det bliver en svær opgave for Rytter Juhl og Pedersen at vinde på hjemmebane.

A F K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

DAMEDOUBLE | PROFILER

Tang Jinhua/Bao Yixin (Kina) Nr. 1 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) De to unge kinesere topper verdensranglisten, men måtte højst overraskende forlade VM efter kun en kamp. De var ellers førsteseedet i turneringen, men tabte allerede i anden runde efter at have siddet over i første. De to kinesere har været den helt dominerende damedouble, siden de blev sat sammen i efteråret 2013, her vandt de hele syv turneringer i træk, heriblandt Yonex Denmark Open. Først ved All England i marts blev deres imponerende sejrsstime brudt, da de blev slået ud i anden runde. De kom dog hurtigt tilbage på sejrskurs, da de efterfølgende vandt Swiss Open og Singapore Open. Til gengæld har de henover sommeren vist svaghedstegn, da de tabte i kvartfinalen i Japan Open, og altså senest det skuffende nederlag ved VM. Det ændrer ikke ved, at de forsvarende Yonex Denmark Open-mestre igen er blandt favoritterne.

Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Danmark) Nr. 2 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Stabilitet har ført de to danskere op som nummer to på verdensranglisten. De har begge gjort sig stærkt bemærket i mixdouble gennem mange år, og da de for to år siden vandt Malaysia Open, så spillede dan-

skerne sig samtidig ind blandt verdens allerbedste damedoubler. I 2013 sluttede de et flot år af med at vinde Super Series sæsonfinalen, ligesom de blev kåret som årets badmintonspillere i Danmark. I år er det blevet til flere semifinaleoptrædener, mens de i Singapore Open nåede helt til finalen, som de tabte til Bao og Tang fra Kina. Deres fysiske styrke finder ingen sidestykke i Europa, og Pedersen/Rytter Juhl er da også regerende Europamestre. Yonex Denmark Open har de begge tidligere vundet i mixdouble, men efter et nederlag i sidste års finale må de være ekstra opsatte på at vinde på hjemmebane.

Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo (Japan) Nr. 3 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Japan er kommet stærkt ind på den internationale scene med flere rigtig stærke damedoubler.

Blandt dem finder vi verdensranglistens nummer tre Takahashi og Matsutomo. De tabte ganske vidst allerede i tredje runde ved VM, men forud for det har de haft et forrygende 2014. De har stået i finalen i Malaysia Open, og de har vundet både German Open og en meget populær sejr på hjemmebane i Japan Open. Som optakt til VM blev 24-årige Takahashi og 22-årige Matsutomo nummer to i Australian Open.

De to løbestærke japanere skal derfor også regnes med i favoritfeltet til Yonex Denmark Open, hvor de sidste år nåede frem til semifinalen.

Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei (Kina) Nr. 4 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Der er næppe tvivl om, at Zhao Yunlei er en af de bedste kvindelige doublespillere nogensinde. Den 28-årige kineser vandt to gange OL-guld i London i 2012, både i mixdouble og i damedouble med Tian Qing. Samme bedrift gentog hun ved VM, hvor hun igen hentede to guldmedaljer – og igen var det med Tian Qing som makker i damedouble. Tian og Zhao indledte ellers 2014 lidt svingende med to kvartfinalepladser og en enkelt semifinaleplads som bedste resultater. Men efter Uber Cup i slutningen af maj fandt de storformen frem og vandt først Indonesia Open, dernæst Australian Open for altså til sidst at vinde VM. Nu får de muligheden for at tilføje endnu en turneringssejr til den imponerende liste, da ingen af de to tidligere har prøvet at vinde Yonex Denmark Open i damedouble.

OUTSIDERE: Yu Yang (F) / Wang Xiaoli (Kina), Ma Jin / Tang Yuanting (Kina), Reika Kaaiiwa / Miyuki Maeda (Japan), Greysia Polii / Nitya Krishinda Maheswari (Indonesien)

SPÆNDENDE DANSKERE: Line Damkjær Kruse/Marie Røpke, Camilla Martens/ Celine Juel, Sara Thygesen/Maiken Fruergaard

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PROFILES | MIXED DOUBLES

EVERYONE AGAINST ZHANG AND ZHAO The Chinese mixed double of Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei is going to be the couple that everyone else will have to defeat if they want to win the Denmark Open. The two Chinese players are almost regularly represented in the semifinal at major tournaments. However, the world champions are going to compete against a number of the best mixed doubles in the world, like countrymen Xu Chen and Ma Jin and the home favorites Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen.

BY K R I S TO F F E R M Ă˜ L D R U P

MIXED DOUBLES | PROFILES

higher level and won the Super Series finals. It became the start of a successful partnership that has brought them great Super Series wins, an Olympic bronze medal, and three wins at the Super Series Finals. However, the mixed double plays particularly great when they play at home in Denmark. Fischer and Pedersen have won the Yonex Denmark Open three times, and they have won the invitation tournament Copenhagen Masters four years in a row. Thus, the expectations are high when the Danish mixed double participates in the Yonex Denmark Open.

Xu Chen/Ma Jin

Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei China – No. 1 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) The best mixed double in the world and in China is Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei. They have managed to create great successes together. They are boyfriend and girlfriend outside the court, and on the court they have won everything worth mentioning. In 2010 they won the All England, going all the way through the qualification round. The following year they won the World Championship for the first time, and in 2012 they won the gold medal at the Olympics in London, defeating countrymen Xu Chen and Ma Jin. At this year’s Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei once again ended up with gold medals around their necks after another win against Xu Chen and Ma Jin. Apart from the LiNing BWF World Badminton Championships, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei have won the Korea Open and the Japan Open in 2014, and they are the defending champions in the Yonex Denmark Open.

Joachim Fischer Nielsen/ Christinna Pedersen Denmark – No. 2 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen were put together in 2008 to strengthen the Danish mixed doubles. Right from the beginning, they became a great success. Fischer and Pedersen won both the Yonex Denmark Open and the Dutch Open in their first season together. The following year they reached an even

China – No. 3 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) It seems like Xu Chen and Ma Jin have become the eternal runners-up. Just in 2014 the Chinese couple has been in four major finals, but won only one of them. The victory came in the Malaysian Open, where they defeated Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen in the final. The Danes fought back and won the Indonesia Open, where they once again met in the final. Xu Chen and Ma Jin also lost the final in the Korea Open and more recently at the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships. Both times their countrymen Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei defeated them. Despite the runner-up tendency, the Chinese are always among the favorites. Two years ago they won the Yonex Denmark Open, and it is very likely that they once again will be a part of the final matches over the weekend.

Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir Indonesia – No. 4 in the world ranking (as of September 22 2014) The best mixed doubles in the world are gathered at Denmark Open, and it only makes sense to include the last couple from the top four in the world ranking. Tontowi Ahmad has struggled with an injured ankle all summer, and that is the reason that the Indonesian has played only five tournaments in 2014. It also forced the double to withdraw from the Li-Ning BWF World Badminton Championships and took away their chance of defending their 2013 title.

At the five tournaments that they have played, they have reached at least the semifinal every time. In the spring they won the All England for the third time in a row, and they also won the Singapore Open. With Tontowi Ahmad back on track, the competition in mixed doubles is just getting even harder.

OUTSIDERS: Sung Hyun Ko/Ha Na Kim (Korea), Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (Thailand), Liu Cheng/Bao Yixin (China), Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock (England)

INTERESTING DANES: Mads Pieler Kolding/Kamilla Rytter Juhl, Niclas Nøhr/Sara Thygesen, Mathias Christiansen/Lena Grebak

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PROFILER | MIXDOUBLE

ALLES KAMP MOD ZHANG OG ZHAO I MIXDOUBLE Den kinesiske mixdouble med Zhang Nan og Zhao Yunlei bliver det par, som alle de andre skal forsøge at besejre, hvis de vil vinde Yonex Denmark Open i mixdouble. De to kinesere er nærmest fast repræsenteret i semifinalerne ved alle de store turneringer. Men verdensmestrene skal op i mod en perlerække af verdens bedste mixdoubler, anført af landsmændene Xu Chen og Ma Jin og hjemmebanefavoritterne Joachim Fischer og Christinna Pedersen.

A F K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

MIXDOUBLE | PROFILER

Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei Kina – Nr. 1 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Verdens og Kinas bedste mixdouble hedder Zhang Nan og Zhao Yunlei. De to har formået at få rigtig meget til at lykkes sammen. Uden for badmintonbanen er de kærester, og inde på banen har de vundet alt, hvad der er værd at skrive om. I 2010 spillede de sig til tops ved All England, efter at have gået hele vejen fra kvalifikationsturneringen. Året efter blev de for første gang verdensmestre, og i 2012 blev de olympiske mestre i London foran rivalerne og landsmændene Xu Chen og Ma Jin. Til VM i år var det nok engang Zhang Nan og Zhao Yunlei, der fik hængt guldmedaljerne om halsen efter endnu en finalesejr over Xu Chen og Ma Jin. Udover VM har Zhang Nan og Zhao Yunlei i år vundet Korea Open og Japan Open, og samtidig er de forsvarende mestre i Yonex Denmark Open.

Joachim Fischer Nielsen/ Christinna Pedersen Danmark – Nr. 2 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) I 2008 blev Joachim Fischer og Christinna Pedersen sat sammen for at styrke de danske mixdoubler, og allerede fra begyndelsen skulle det vise sig at blive en succes. Fischer og Pedersen vandt både Yonex Denmark Open og Dutch Open i deres debutsæ-

son sammen. Allerede året efter løftede de niveauet endnu højere op, da de vandt Super Series sæsonfinalen. Det blev starten på et meget succesfuldt makkerskab, der har givet flere store Super Series-sejre, en OL-bronzemedalje og tre sejre ved Super Series sæsonfinalen. Men særligt et sted trives mixdoublen ekstra godt. På hjemmebane i Danmark. Tre gange har Fischer og Pedersen vundet Yonex Denmark Open, ligesom de har vundet invitationsturneringen Yonex Copenhagen Masters de seneste fire år i træk.

Derfor er forventningerne ekstra store, når mixdoublen stiller til start ved Yonex Denmark Open i år.

Xu Chen/Ma Jin Kina – Nr. 3 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Der tegner sig et billede af, at mixdoublen med Xu Chen og Ma Jin er de evige to’ere. Alene i 2014 har de to kinesere været i fire store finaler, men kun vundet en enkelt. Sejren kom i Malaysian Open, hvor de besejrede Joachim Fischer og Christinna Pedersen. I Indonesia Open var det danskerne, der var stærkest i finalen, mens Xu Chen og Ma Jin tabte til landsmændene Zhang Nan og Zhao Yunlei i finalen i både Korea Open og senest ved VM. Det var den anden VM-finale i træk, som Xu Chen og Ma Jin tabte. Men på trods af de mange andenpladser, er kineserne altid blandt favoritterne. For to år siden vandt de da også Yonex Denmark Open, og de kan meget vel være et par, der kommer til at spille med i weekendens afgørende kampe.

Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir Indonesien – Nr. 4 på verdensranglisten (22. september 2014) Verdens bedste mixdoubler er samlet til Yonex Denmark Open, og derfor er den fjerde af favoritterne meget passende også den fjerde mixdouble fra verdensranglistens top fire. Tontowi Ahmad har døjet med en skadet ankel henover sommeren, og det er medvirkende til, at indoneserne kun har spillet fem turneringer i 2014. Det betød blandt andet, at de måtte melde afbud til VM, hvor de ellers skulle have forsvaret deres titel fra 2013. Ved de fem turneringer, de har spillet i år, er de til gengæld mindst nået frem til en semifinale. I foråret vandt de for tredje gang i træk All England, mens de også vandt Singapore Open. Så med en Tontowi Ahmad tilbage efter sin skade bliver konkurrencen blot endnu hårdere i mixdouble.

OUTSIDERE: Sung Hyun Ko/Ha Na Kim (Korea), Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (Thailand), Liu Cheng/Bao Yixin (Kina), Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock (England)

SPÆNDENDE DANSKERE: Mads Pieler Kolding/Kamilla Rytter Juhl, Niclas Nøhr/ Sara Thygesen, Mathias Christiansen/Lena Grebak

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ARTIKEL

BADMINTONSPORTENS DAG – OGSÅ FOR DE ALLERMINDSTE Lørdag den 6. september afholdt mere end 70 badmintonklubber over hele landet Badmintonsportens Dag. En lille uges tid efter de fem VM-finaler blev spillet i Ballerup Super Arena var alle inviteret til at spille badminton i et samarbejde mellem Badminton Danmark og DGI Badminton. I ØBG Silkeborg havde de endda gjort plads til, at de allermindste også kunne være med.

BY K R I S TO F F E R M Ø L D R U P

Det digitale ur på endevæggen viser 9.30. Aktiviteten er allerede i fuld gang blandt de 5-7 årige entusiastiske og ivrige børn, mens forældrene veksler mellem badmintonbanerne og bænkene. Alle samles de midt i hallen, hvor den ene af de to trænere, Dorthe, siger velkommen og tager en hurtig navnerunde. En kombination af generthed og ustyrlig lyst til at fortsætte aktiviteterne breder sig. Før de bliver sluppet løs til en omgang opvarmning, får de, der endnu ikke har, monteret en rundhovedet tegnestift øverst på ketsjerskaftet. For som Dorthe fortæller, så skal de i dag øve baghåndsgreb.

BADMINTON FOR HELE DANMARK Flere end 70 klubber åbnede dørene op, da der lørdag den 6. september blev afviklet Badmintonsportens Dag over hele landet. Her kunne potentielle og eksisterende badmintonspillere dukke op og prøve kræfter med ketsjer og fjerbolde. En mulighed og en dag, der lå i umiddelbar forlængelse af VM, der blev afviklet på dansk grund i Ballerup Super Arena. Blandt de mange badmintonklubber, der havde arrangeret en hyggelig dag i badmintonsportens tegn, var ØBG Silkeborg. De begyndte dagen med en træning for de allermindste i alderen 5-7 år.

Sporadiske brag bryder ud i hallen. Udstyret med en ketsjer og en ballon hver, bliver der øvet baghåndsslag og ind imellem et enkelt forhåndsslag, der for alvor kan fremtvinge et brag. Jacob, den anden af de to trænere, ser smilende til. Han og Dorthe har helt bevidst taget ballonerne med, da det giver børnene de ekstra sekunder, de behøver for at slå flere sammenhængende slag. Iført Real Madrid og Messi-trøjer sættes al koncentration ind for at skabe det øredøvende brag, der er ensbetydende med en ren træffer. Ballonerne har også givet arbejdsro til Dorthe,

der har gjort klar til tre forskellige øvelser. Den ene af dem er en modificeret æggekastsøvelse, hvor et baghåndsslag skal ramme væggen, før man må tage et skridt tilbage, og endnu et, hvis det også lykkes. ”Se far, jeg gjorde det!” bliver der råbt et sted i hallen.

MINITON FOR DE MINDSTE Badmintonsportens Dag er for alle aldre, og sådan var det også i ØBG Silkeborg. Her blev spillerne nemlig ældre og ældre som dagen forløb. Konceptet med Miniton for de 5-7 årige er dog en nytænkende og anderledes tilgang til badmintonsporten for de børn, der under normale omstændigheder er lidt for unge til at spille badminton. Men med god hjælp fra forældre og to kreative trænere, så har Miniton været på programmet i de sidste fire år. Og bedømt ud fra lørdag formiddag i den moderne idrætshal, så er der store badmintonoplevelser at hente, selv for de allermindste spillere.

En time med server, baghåndsslag, balloner, sjippetov og meget andet er ved at være slut. Det kan dog ikke ses på aktivitetsniveauet i den sidste øvelse: benarbejde. Baglæns, forlæns og sidelæns i et hæsblæsende tempo, der er lige ved at feje benene væk under en medlevende far. Uret på endevæggen viser nu 10.30 og Miniton er slut, men ingen forlader banerne. Tværtimod. ”Mia, skal vi spille lidt?” ”Rasmus, skal vi spille lidt, inden vi kører hjem?”

Fjerboldene flyver videre rundt i hallen. En succesfuld lørdag formiddag er ved at være slut for de mindste.

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Besøg Plantorama

Danmarks største Have- & Dyrecenter

Plantorama Havecenter Plantorama betyder at skue ud over tusindvis af planter – og det er netop det du kan, hvis du besøger Plantorama. Plantorama er et dansk ejet familiefirma med 8 store centre på flere tusinde m2, som er beliggende rundt omkring i Jylland, Sjælland og på Fyn. Plantorama byder på oplevelser for hele familien hele året rundt. Vi har Danmarks største udvalg af sæsonaktuelle stueplanter, udplantningsplanter og haveplanter samt havemøbler i høj kvalitet til lave priser.

For at skåne vores miljø opsamler vi bl.a. regnvand til vanding af de mange planter.

For vi synes det er vigtigt at værne om vores natur.

Med tusindvis af planter, krukker, dyr og tilbehør byder Plantorama velkommen til oplevelser for hele familien Plantorama Dyrecenter I Plantoramas store dyrecenter finder du et imponerende udvalg af akvarier, planter og flotte fisk til både ude og inde. Vi har også et særligt udvalg af levende fugle, gnavere og krybdyr, der alle passes under optimale forhold, samt tilbehør til disse.

Til de mange hunde- og katteejere har vi et stort udvalg af kvalitets foder, legetøj og udstyr. Også her møder du faguddannet personale der er klar med råd og vejledning.

Dyrecentret er altid en favorit – ikke mindst for børnene der kan få lang tid til at gå med at kigge på de levende dyr og fisk. Så det er en oplevelse for hele familien.

Velkommen Vi holder åbent alle ugens 7 dage Hverdage fra 09.00 - 19.00 samt lørdag og søndag kl. 9.00 – 18.00

Plantorama Odense • Risingsvej 67 • 5000 Odense C www.plantorama.dk