The defending Danish champion in men's double Kim Astrup is still injured in his left foot, and he does not have the opportunity to defend his gold medal from FZ FORZA / RSL DM 2018.

This makes his partner Anders Skaarup in return. Skaarup has managed to find a new partner from his club, Højbjerg.

 

Unfortunately, Kim Astrup must cancel the FZ FORZA / RSL DM 2019, which starts tomorrow at 10.00 in Ceres Arena, Aarhus. This is due to the injury in the left foot, which also kept 26-year-old Astrup out of last week's two team matches for Team Skælskør-Slagelse.

 

- It is of course really weird. I really wanted to be over and playing and given it a chance to defend the title. But it is not justifiable to set up, but it comes with as the athlete to make difficult decisions.

- I am most tired of not being able to be there and to support all the volunteer forces that provide a great job. Now I do everything I can to get ready for the European Championship for teams, says Kim Astrup.

Last year, Astrup got DM gold on his neck for the first time in his career. He did this together with his regular partner Anders Skaarup. Fortunately, we still get the pleasure of seeing one half of the constellation, which secured Denmark's Euro gold and a victory at the Super 1000 tournament China Open.

 

For 29-year-old Anders Skaarup, he has chosen to join the just 16-year-old Mads Vestergaard, who is considered to be one of the country's largest talents - the young Højbjerg player also participated in the youth world championships in Canada in the fall.

 

- I always think it's fun to play DM, and when it became clear that Kim couldn't get ready, I saw it as a golden opportunity to try to play with one of the youngsters.

- Mads and I have been training a couple of times together in Højbjerg, so we know each other a bit. Hopefully, I can help give our young doubletal a good experience. At least I hope we get a couple of good matches, says Anders Skaarup.

Badminton Denmark's sports manager is sorry for Kim Astrup's behalf but welcomes Anders Skaarup's commitment to finding a new partner, with whom he can play FZ FORZA / RSL DM 2019.

 

- Kim has suffered from his injury for some weeks now and he has neither been able to train continuously nor play league games.

= It is really a pity for Kim (Astrup, ed.) That he does not get the opportunity to defend his DM gold medal. Now we hope that he will soon be ready to play again, as the European Championship for teams will be waiting next week. At the same time, there must be a great praise for Anders (Skaarup, ed.)

- For still having the wish to defend his DM title and has worked hard to find a new partner within a short time. It's great style that way to back up the championship to the delight of fans and give a young local player valuable championship experience.

- I look forward to following the new couple, and I hope that they get some good matches and that Mads gets a good experience for DM, says Jens Meibom.

 

Anders Skaarup / Mads Vestergaard keeps the seed as number one. They will play the first match Thursday at 8 pm against either Jesper Toft / Philip Seerup, Mads Emil Kristensen / Mathias Hansen, Mikkel Stoffersen / Nicklas Mathiasen or Jeppe Bay Madsen / Mikkel Mikkelsen.


On Thursday, all the seeded players will be in battle. This means that players such as Viktor Axelsen, Anders Antonsen, Mads Pieler Kolding, Niclas Nøhr, Mia Blichfeldt, Line Kjærsfeldt, Christinna Pedersen, Sara Thygesen, Maiken Fruergaard and Mathias Christiansen will take Ceres Arena and FZ FORZA / RSL DM 2019.