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EDITORIAL Welcome to the BEC Magazine and warm welcome to the 2019 European Mixed Team Championships. It is truly a pleasure to see the fans of badminton, the volunteers and the best European teams and players here in Copenhagen. I am looking forward to seeing some great badminton the next days. This magazine is not a typical BEC Magazine – this time we have the focus on – of course – the 2019 European Mixed Team Championships, but also on one of the other big events of 2019: The European Games. In this magazine, you will find the updated list of who is on track to qualify for the European Games in Minsk. Every Wednesday we publish an updated list – this is to be found on our website and social media. You will also find a presentation of each team. A lot of fantastic players are attending the European Mixed Team Championships and with the format reduced to 8 teams, we will have intense matches from the start to the end. Denmark are defending champions, they are playing in front of their home audience and under normal circumstances they are clearly the favorites. Christinna Pedersen has been one of the biggest stars on the international stage for the last ten years, and in the interview in this magazine, she speaks about the future of her career. A career that might see her qualify for yet another Olympic Games. We also meet the Danish silver medallist from the World Junior Championships, Line Christophersen, the two Centre of Excellence profiles, Kate Foo Kune as well as Milan Ludik from Mauritius and Czech Republic, and the former top player, Imogen Bankier from Scotland, who is now coaching the French national team. I hope you will enjoy the European Mixed Team Championships here in Copenhagen, and I encourage you to go and see what the fan zone has to offer as well. Remember, you can follow Badminton Europe in the new app ‘Badminton Live’ and on social media.
Brian Agerbak General Secretary Badminton Europe
Imprint: Badminton Europe - Published by Badminton Europe Confederation, Brøndbytoften 14, 2605 Brøndby, Denmark.• Responsible editor: Rasmus Bech • Design: Laura Martí Diez • Journalists: Annika Langrock, Aidan Thomas Jones • Coverphoto: Badminton Photo • Photos: Mark Phelan, Badminton Photo
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STAR PLAYER INTERVIEW:
CHRISTINNA PEDERSEN
22 2019 EMTC SCHEDULE
5 THINGS TO LOOK FOWARD
TEAM PRESENTATIONS
THE WORLD OF THE CoE 36
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CONTENT - FEBRUARY 2019
SMS INTERVIEW:
LAUREN SMITH
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INTERVIEW:
ROAD TO MINSK
TALENT INTERVIEW:
INTERVIEW:
JACK SHEPHARD 44
LINE CHRISTOPHERSEN
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IMOGEN BANKIER
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“MAYBE, IT WAS MY BEST BADMINTON YEAR EVER”
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Written by: Annika Langrock
hristinna Pedersen is one of the best Doubles players in the world. The Dane spoke to Badminton Europe about her achievments, her partnerships on as well as off court and her plans for 2019. 22
2018 is in the books. For the Danish Doubles player, Christinna Pedersen, it has been a good year. Together with her Danish partners, Kamilla Rytter Juhl and Mathias Christiansen, Pedersen has shown that she is still one of the best players in the world.
- The last year has been fantastic in many ways, maybe, it was my best badminton year ever. It started very good by winning the Malaysia Open with Kamilla in January. Two weeks later, Mathias and I achieved our first title together at the India Open, Pedersen said. In 2008, Pedersen made her debut at senior level. Ten years later, the Dane was able to win one of the world’s most prestigious badminton tournaments: The All England.
“It requires a lot of hard work and motivation” Pedersen/Juhl played their last match at the Indonesia Open last year, at the beginning of July. Even though, the pair has not played together since then, they are still ranked within the Top 25 in the world.
- We do not know, what the future will bring for us in Women’s Doubles. We have decided to wait and see how things will develop after Kamilla has given birth to our daughter. It could be fun to fight our way back to the top, but we are also aware that it requires a lot of hard work and motivation, Pedersen said.
- To win the All England together with Kamilla is, of course, the biggest moment and triumph for me in 2018. It still gives me goosebumps, when I talk about it or see some video clips from the tournament, Pedersen said.
“A big dream came true” Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl are a pair on court since 2010, and a couple since 2009. The last year was not only a good year for them on court, especially off court Pedersen and Juhl announced big news: A new family member was on its way.
- Kamilla got pregnant in 2018, which was a big dream for us that came true. Since the start of our relationship, it has been a big wish for the both of us, and now the time is right for us. We are very happy to become Mummy-K and Mummy-C (laughs). Their daughter, Molly, was born in January, and the third girl in the household will get to know the sport of badminton before too long.
- It is great that the European Mixed Team Championships will be held in Denmark this year. I have the chance to play at the tournament in Frederiksberg, and Kamilla can come to the event too and bring our daughter. Both can support me and the rest of the Danish team, Pedersen said.
Christinna Pedersen & Kamilla Rytter Juhl winning the 23 All England 2018
In the Mixed Doubles, Pedersen started playing with Mathias Christiansen in 2017. The partnership between the two Danes is a successful one: they are ranked within the Top 10 in the world today. The biggest successes of Pedersen/Christiansen in the last year was the victory at the India Open, as well as reaching the final at the European Championships and the Korea Open and the semi-final at the All England.
- It is going very well with Mathias. The first years playing together have been fun, interesting and inspiring. We achieved many great results, directly after we started our partnership on court. Honestly, I did not expect it to happen so fast, but it was like we quickly found a good way to play together, Pedersen said. - By winning a title in 2018 and playing some finals and semi-finals, we gained confidence. But we still need to improve our game together, as well as individually. The Mixed Double category is tough and there are many pairs that are able to win titles. But we are looking forward to the challenges ahead of us, Pedersen added.
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“To participate in my third Olympic Games would be fantastic” The Danish Mixed Double pair is ambitious, regarding their goals for 2019.
- We are working hard to improve our game, that will be our main focus this year. But of course, the Olympic Qualification is also something we will be ready for. Besides, it could be a really good experience for Mathias and me to attend a big tournament like the European Games, Pedersen said. In May, the Qualification period for the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo, Japan, begins. Pedersen is experienced in participating in this multi-sport event: At the Olympics 2012 in London, she won Bronze in Mixed Doubles, in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, she was the runner-up in Women’s Doubles.
- Of course, it is a big and long-term goal for Mathias and me to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2020. It is without doubt the biggest sport event. It would be fantastic to participate in my third Olympic Games.
What to know about Christinna Pedersen... •Began to play badminton as a 6-year-old – international debut in 2008 •Highest world ranking: 1 (Mixed Doubles), 2 (Women’s Doubles) •2-times Olympic medallist: Bronze in 2012 (XD), Silver in 2016 (WD) •4-times Bronze and one-time Silver medallist at the World Championships •6-times European Champion •All England winner (with Kamilla Rytter Juhl) in 2018 •BEC Female Player of the Year 2013 •BEC Female Player of the Year 2017 with Kamilla Rytter Juhl •Her sport idols: Gao Ling (badminton, China), Flemming Povlsen (football, Denmark)
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Written by: Aidan Thomas Jones The Centre of Excellence (CoE), in Holbæk Denmark, is currently undergoing a big change – from the amount of players to a whole new training facility for the CoE to use. Head Coach, Jeroen Van Dijk, along with Kestutis Navickas and Peter R. Jensen, have been working hard to increase the number of players who are training in Holbæk. Just over the past year, there have been eight new additions. Kate Foo Kune, one of the players who just joined the - I have been getting more impressive results lately and centre in Holbæk at the start of 2018, spoke about the I am working hard to continue, to perform like this in the future. whole experience, both on and off the court. The 25-year-old believes that the hard work over the past months has paid off for her, since she joined the Centre of Excellence. The Mauritian-born Women’s Singles player has reached three quarterfinals on three occasions since joining the centre, and her aims are not going to stop there. - Well, it has been a good year. I got my ranking up again, which I am very happy about, Kate Foo Kune said. - I am thrilled to get a big amount of planned training, a very decent organisation team behind me and good sparring, she added.
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Not being from Europe, it could be seen as a surprise to some, that the Olympian, Kate Foo Kune, took the decision to practise at Badminton Europe’s Training Centre. The Singles player revealed that she enjoys the way that Europeans train, but she is also not a stranger to the continent after two and a half years staying in Europe. - I like Denmark very much as a country. I came to the CoE for the first-time last December to try it out and it seemed like it suited my needs. It seemed like it was a place where I could grow, and I really wanted to give it a try.
Badminton goals
Results are starting to show
Milan Ludik, another more experienced player at the CoE, has big goals for the future.
The Centre of Excellence is made up of a lot of different individuals who are of a different age. Foo Kune revealed that she is very much a role model, but more off court.
With the Olympic Qualification just around the corner, many of the CoE players will be testing themselves with May coming up, to try and qualify for the Games in Tokyo. - I am now trying to qualify for the European Games. Then the Olympic Qualification begins, which will be my huge focus, Milan Ludik said. - I plan to stay until at least the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and hopefully, the training and the coaches here will help me to achieve my goals, he added. The Czech does not see his family as much anymore, but he has stated that sacrifices must be made, if he wants to succeed.
- If they need someone a little more responsible, then I think I am one of the people they turn to. It is funny to be honest and makes me feel ‘experienced’. - On court, I try to give as much advice as possible to the players, no matter their age, but I think we should all help each other. Milan Ludik believes that the whole group works together to achieve the goals that everyone at the centre is striving towards. Ludik was brought into the CoE last year and already feels like it has made a difference to his game on court. - We are one nice group, so we try to help and support each other and develop our games, so we always work very closely together and I think it helps a lot, he said. - The setup is very professional, it helped me very much over a period of last year, and that showed on my ranking and my results.
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Operation HolbĂŚk One thing that the CoE will have improved this year, is the new training facility, which the CoE will move into at the end of February. - We are so much looking forward to moving to the new centre. It will mean more privacy for us, as we will get our own living space, Foo Kune said. Milan Ludik shared similar opinions on the new centre which the players at the CoE are due to move into in the coming months. The Czech is looking forward to the bigger facility, as well as more ways to recover. - The new centre should be much bigger than what we have, and it is hopefully going to be much better with a swimming pool and sauna, as well as a bigger gym. So, it should be a big progression with the better facilities, he said.
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21-year-old Jack Shephard has won every title there is and recently earned himself BWF’s Para Player of the Year Award. His eyes are now fixed firmly on Tokyo 2020.
Short in stature but not short of success Written by: Bobby Griffin - It was always the dream to become World Champion. As world number one going into 2020 Qualifying, I have got a chance of becoming Paralympic Champion. It’s the one title left and the most important, Jack Shephard told Badminton Europe. Shephard has Achondroplasia. A bone growth disorder that causes disproportionate dwarfism. Yet his sights were set high as he began his campaign to conquer the Para-Badminton world these past 12 months. Jack became SS6 Men’s Singles World Champion in late 2017 and soared to number one in the world soon after. To finish off his year he recently took the European title, which had eluded him on two previous occasions and the Team Great Britain star was also named BWF Para Player of the Year. The man from Chesterfield confessed he had a lucky break early on in his young career at the age of 10. Searching for somewhere for Jack to take badminton more seriously, his father stumbled upon
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Richard Morris in Sheffield. Well before badminton was to be included in the Paralympics, or the concept of a Team GB programme. - Richard took me under his wing. I was lucky to find a Coach that was inclusive! One who let me play and join in with the other Juniors within a performance programme, Shephard said. - I played my first tournament aged 11. I remember the nerves I felt whilst travelling to the event, not knowing what to expect. But I won my first match and could not wait for the next. - It gave me a chance to meet new people, I had only ever played sports with people with dwarfism but through Para-Badminton, I met lots of different people. Guys with cerebral palsy, with amputations and in wheelchairs. It was amazing hearing all their stories. - More than just going to play badminton. That is what I loved about it at the time!
Shephard’s biggest challenge came with the decision to have his legs straightened at age 14. A common, but a long and painful procedure for people with dwarfism. Frames fitted to the lower limbs with metal-work through the bones for nine months meant that he could not participate in the sport he loved and the route back to fitness came with a struggle. - When I got the frames off, I had my freedom back. Step by step I was able to build my confidence. But it definitely pushed me backwards and affected the World Championships for me in 2013 as I was not ranked high enough after coming back from injury. - We have a lot of SS6 players in England and the limits on the number of players in each category per country meant I was not strong enough to be entered for the SS6 Men’s Singles. I missed a great opportunity there.
golds and a silver in the last six international competitions. - It was always the dream to become World Champion. It was an amazing feeling, I am still a little speechless now actually, words cannot describe it. - I cannot really believe I am European Champ, World Champ and world number one which is an amazing place to be, with the Paralympic Qualifying period starting this spring. Hopefully, I will be able to qualify for the 2020 Paralympics. And have a chance at becoming Paralympic Champion. It is the one title I have not got and the most important. A few people have as much determination and passion for their sport as GB’s Jack Shephard and with a host of titles to his name, only time will tell if one of Europe’s best hopes can fulfil that Paralympic dream.
"It was always the dream to become World Champion. It was an amazing feelinG" The BWF Para Player of the Year argues that the biggest impact on his career is having Richard Morris as his Coach. Supported by the structure of the Sheffield Performance Centre, this allowed him to train with able-bodied juniors and meant he could progress within a performance programme. He was training up to 10 hours each week whilst studying and this was enough for Shephard to reach a level to compete internationally. That all changed early last year for Shephard, Morris and Team GB. - We have been full-time since April, funded by UK Sport. We train up to five hours a day on court and every element of our game has improved massively. We also have a support team of Coaches, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition and all sorts of things that help us as players and as well-rounded people. - It had to happen really, or we would not be able to keep up with the rest of the world now. Notably, Shephard’s biggest victory was the World Championships final in 2017, and since then taking five
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Line Christophersen is 19 years old and has already written history: As the first Danish Women’s player, she won a medal at the World Junior Championships.
- MY BIGGEST DREAM IS TO PLAY BADMINTON FOR A LIVING Written by: Annika Langrock
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allinn and Markham are the cities that Line Christophersen for sure associates with good memories. The Dane, that has just turned 19 years old in January, has a successful last year to look back to: she achieved the biggest successes in her badminton career so far. In 2018, Line Christophersen achieved her first triumph on court in August. She won the Danish Junior Cup in Women’s Singles. Only one month later, she celebrated an even bigger victory: she won the Women’s Singles title at the European Junior Championships 2018 in Tallinn, Estonia. She won all her matches in straight games. Then, towards the end of the year, the Women’s Singles player achieved a unique success:
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She won Silver at the World Junior Championships 2018 that took place in Markham, Canada, in November. With this achievement, Line Christophersen was the first Danish Women’s player in history, who was able to win a medal at the World Junior Championships. - I do not know what the secret was, but I had a good period up to the World Junior Championships. My coach and I talked a lot about what I should focus on in that period, so I knew what I had to focus on every time I trained. I also started to feel very comfortable with my new training setup. I think it has helped me a lot to just practise and not think about anything else, Christophersen said.
Christophersen is currently living in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since 2016, she has been participating in international badminton tournaments – and she has a tough training schedule.
In 2018, Christophersen has competed in seven tournaments. For her participation in the World Junior Championships, she has travelled to the other side of the world.
- I practise three times per week at the Peter Gade Academy and two times at the Danish National Training Centre. Besides, I am also playing for the club of Gentofte and I am doing strength training.
- Sometimes, it is hard, when you are travelling for a long time. But I feel okay because I have travelled with someone I knew almost every time until now, which has helped. My brother, Mads, also plays tournaments, so sometimes we can also travel together, Christophersen said.
“I do not feel that the pressure is too big” The Dane graduated from elementary school, when she was in the ninth grade. Since then, she is solely focusing on the sport that she loves.
Looking to her future as a professional badminton player, the young Dane already has ambitious plans and goals that she wants to reach.
- My plan is that I am going to play more senior tournaments in 2019. But my biggest dream is to play badminton for a living, I would love to be one of the best Women Single’s players. But I think the most important thing for me is to do what I love and have fun with it.
- Right now, I am playing badminton full time. I have been doing this for the last three years, Christophersen said. The 19-year-old is one of Denmark’s biggest badminton talents. In her first year as a professional Junior player, she had already won big titles, such as the European U17 Championships and the Danish U17 Cup. After her recent successes, Christophersen is a big hope for the Danish national team in the future. - I am trying not to think about being pressured too much. I am lucky that I have Peter Gade and Scott Evans who both work with me at the Academy. They have also been in my situation, so I can use their expertise and talk with them, when I have problems. But I do not feel that the pressure is too big right now, Christophersen said.
“I would love to be one of the best Women Singles players” 49
I THINK YOU SHOULD GO TO MINSK! I do not only think you should go to Minsk for the European Games 2019, because I have to think that way. I think you should go to Minsk for the European Games 2019 because I actually mean it. Written by: Rasmus Bech, Communication Manager at Badminton Europe
In 2019, I am looking forward to a lot of things. I am particularly looking forward to one thing: The biggest multi-sport event in Europe this year: The European Games 2019. If you love sports, a multi-sport event is the best. You can watch a lot of sport at the same place, you can watch sport, that you do not know much about, and you can meet a lot of new people, who have the same passion as you. In September 2018, I visited Minsk for the first time. Before arriving there, I thought that Minsk and Belarus would be a cold and grey place.
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I expected to have a hard time communicating with the locals, and I expected to see a “Cold War Arena� in Minsk. I must admit: I was totally wrong. The Belarusian people are helpful, thoughtful. English can be a challenge, but one thing is sure: They try all they can to communicate with you and to help. I am sure, that the badminton fans of Europe will not get lost in Minsk. If you are, just ask and you will be guided almost all the way to the venue.
Talking about the venue... “Cold War Arena”? NO! A modern arena with all the things that you need as a player and as a spectator. The test event, Minsk International, was a good chance to “practise” for the local organiser, and I am sure, that they will be ready. The top European players have to be ready. They are at the beginning of the Olympic qualification, when the European Games 2019 kicks off, and if the players want to qualify, the points from the Games are crucial.
This is the biggest sports event in Europe. The European Games is the little brother of the Olympics. A true star who wants to win the biggest titles and a lot of the current stars still need to win this title. Someone will for sure argue: “They can just play another tournament”. Yes, sure they can. But why should they, for instance, travel to Asia and pay a lot of money to play against Asian players, when they can go to Minsk to a multi-sport event, where the Asians are not attending? Why not get the points at the beginning of the Qualification, so they can take a longer break before the Olympics if they qualify early for the Tokyo 2020 Games? Chasing the last points of the final week in the qualification is not fun. Just ask the winner of the Men’s Doubles at the Olympics Games in 2008, Markis Kido, who missed out the London Games in 2012 by 71 points! Then you can ask: “Why should Viktor Axelsen and Carolina Marin go to Minsk? They are already qualified”. First of all: No, they are not. A lot of things can happen in the qualification. Secondly: In Europe, it does not get any bigger than the European Games. The world of sport will focus on Minsk and the biggest stars. Thirdly: If they both qualify, they want a good seeding. It is for sure more fun to enter the Olympics with a Top four seeding than a lower one. The positioning of the top players is also a reason for them to go to the European Games. I am sure, the European Games 2019 will be fantastic. I will for sure be there – and I hope to see a lot of European badminton fans in the ‘Capital of Sport 2019’. I am looking forward to seeing the biggest stars fighting for a spot in the history books. 51
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- It is easier to be on the other side
Change of perspective: The former top player, Imogen Bankier, is today working as a coach for the French Badminton Association. The Scot spoke to Badminton Europe about her job, the situation in France and Paris 2024. Written by: Annika Langrock
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lot of people might recognise Imogen Bankier from performing on court. Today, the 31-yearold is still doing that, but instead of receiving instructions, she is giving them. Since last year, the former Scottish Doubles player is working as a Doubles coach for Team France.
- I took a complete break from badminton for four years, after I ended my career. I was neither playing, nor looking at results. I could focus on other things in my life and I got another perspective on the game and the vision of badminton, as well as the emotional and mental side of it, Bankier said.
- Officially, I am a consultant because I am only working one and a half days a week. I am part-time employed, Bankier said.
Today, Bankier is the director of a Whiskey shop in Paris. Since May 2018, the Scot is also working for the French Badminton Association.
Imogen Bankier was born in Glasgow and practised badminton for the first time as a nine-year-old in the garden. In 2005, she began to play badminton at a professional level and mainly participated in Mixed Doubles. At the end of 2014, Bankier officially retired.
- I was not ready to make the transition from player to coach directly. I needed the break and now I am back with fresh eyes. I am also more mature as a person, Bankier said.
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- To be on the other side is different, it is easier. As a coach, you are sitting in a chair, but you also must have empathy for the players. You must communicate on their terms, so that they perform well. That is the joy of being a coach: it is a communications job. Bankier was the runner-up at the World Championships in Mixed Doubles in 2011, alongside with Chris Adcock, which was one of the biggest successes in her career as a player. - I think it is hard to relate my personal experience to other players, because every player is different, Bankier said.
- It is exciting for me to be part of Badminton France. The Doubles situation looks promising, especially with the development of Junior players challenging the Senior players. We have a large group of Double players, which is the biggest group since several years now. We also have a good mix of personalities and ages, Bankier said. Around 66 million people are living in France. In September 2018, the French Badminton Association registered around 188.000 active players, who are practising badminton at official clubs.
“I have never seen such a young group of people that are so open-minded and ambitious”
-To be in the world class or top class in Europe, players need to have a set of skills. I see players in France that have a set of tools, but they need to learn how to use them. I see a lot of potential, but it is a long journey to consistently achieve top-class results. But the French players are very willing to learn, I have never seen such a young group of players that are so open-minded and ambitious.
“France has the potential to be one of the leading badminton countries in Europe” In 2018, the French Junior players achieved the most titles at the European Junior Championships, as well as the Team Championships. They won Gold in Men’s and Mixed Doubles, as well as Men’s Singles and won the team event.
- We have a strong federation and good government support. A lot of people in France are playing badminton – not as much as compared to Denmark – but still, a lot. But I think that France has the potential to be one of the leading badminton countries in Europe, Bankier said. The Olympic Games 2024 will be hosted in Paris. In 2012, Bankier participated at the Olympic Games in London. Twelve years later, the Scot could experience her second Olympic Games – but this time from behind the court. - It is always a big deal to have this special event at home. When I participated in the Olympic Games, it was so exciting. It is a big motivation for players. The Olympics 2024 in Paris will take place from July 26th to August 11th.
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