As the first international BWF tournament (Thailand Masters) and the first BEC circuit tournament (Estonian International) of 2018 are currently being played, the BWF World Ranking list, published today, doesn’t represent any position changes for the players.
Kalle Koljonen, second seeded in Estonian International, is currently ranked no. 69 on men’s singles world ranking list. Being a top seeded player can be an external pressure for some players. However, Kalle speaks confidently about it.
-It is always nice to get a seeding but it has never brought me any pressure. When I get a high seeding in a tournament I think that maybe I have done some good results before the tournament. This brings me more confidence than pressure.
-I think my ranking currently is quite ok. I’m not satisfied about it but it could be worse. My short-term goal is that in the end of this season I would reach at least top 50. My long-term goal is to reach at least top 20 in the world. If I reach that, of course I will try to reach higher, Kalle tells Badminton Europe.
Read also: Kristin Kuuba: The home crowd will give me extra motivation
COE players in Estonia
Iikka Heino (Finland) and Felix Burestedt (Sweden) who are training in BEC Centre of Excellence, are starting the new year with Estonian International. Iikka is currently ranked no. 117 and is going to face Muhammed Ali Kurt (Turkey). Felix, ranked no. 191, will face Bernando Atilano (Portugal).
-I don’t feel too happy about my current ranking. I dropped a lot, as I haven’t been playing so many tournaments. But I try not to focus too much on the rankings, Felix tells Badminton Europe.
With the European Championships coming up in four months, Felix is currently aiming to improve his ranking to be able to qualify for it. ‘’Anyway, I try to focus on my improvement and then I believe the results will come and through that also a better ranking’’, Felix tells Badminton Europe.
Read: BWF unveils 'World Tour' portal
Europeans doing good in Thailand
Jacco Arends/Selena Piek (The Netherlands), ranked no. 39 on mixed doubles world ranking list, are seeded no. 4 in Thailand Masters tournament. They went into the quarterfinals after beating two pairs from Thailand. They will face another Thai pair in the quarterfinals.
Ronan Labar/Audrey Fontaine (France), seeded no. 2, proceeded into the quarterfinals after beating a mixed doubles pair from Honk Kong in the first round and a pair from Singapore in the second round. The French pair is currently ranked no. 24 on mixed doubles world ranking list.
Johanna Goliszewski/Lara Kaepplein (Germany) are seeded no. 8 in the same tournament as they are ranked no. 40 on women’s doubles world ranking list. They went into the second round of Thailand Masters after beating a doubles pair from Thailand.
See the full BWF rankings
here