This week we have released another exclusive podcast, this time with English Men’s Doubles player Chris Langridge.
The 33-year-old visited the BEC studio and spoke to our on-screen presenter Rasmus Bech, Communications Manager of Badminton Europe.
The future for Badminton in England
Chris Langridge who alongside his Men’s Doubles partner, Marcus Ellis, reached the semi-finals at the DANISA Denmark Open in Odense, but what is the future for professional players in England?
- Things are going to get tougher for us. I think it will get to the stage where badminton in England is going to be quite difficult to continue playing at a high level, Chris Langridge told the BEC Podcast.
- It has been quite tough. It is very difficult for us to get any support from anywhere. Nobody really wants to help. So it is really hard for Badminton England to continue helping us, making sure we have enough shuttles for training, or even coaches, he said.
Ending the career at the Olympics?
Langridge believes that his career is something to be proud of but does admit that he would like to enjoy his life with his family after his playing career.
The 33-year-old achieved a medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and also won Gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2017 and would relish the opportunity to end his career on a high in Tokyo.
- The first obstacle is qualifying for Tokyo, and if we do get there I just want to enjoy it, there is only pressure on you if you allow it, Langridge said.
- I would love to end my crazy up and down career at an Olympics, for myself if I get to Tokyo I would like to thank everyone, he added.
The Podcast is out on all our platforms, on Facebook, YouTube and on SoundCloud.