Europe’s top female WH1 player Valeska Knoblauch has an outside chance of taking all 3 gold medals in Uganda this week after a terrific women’s doubles quarter final.

Untested so far this week in WH1 women’s singles, Valeska Knoblauch hasn’t needed to find fourth or fifth gear in her campaign to become Ugandan champion yet. A comfortable group for the German, helped with a Bye in the knockouts sees the European Champion ease into the semi-finals where Nigerian Mary Mabwat Nathan awaits tomorrow.

A contender for performance of the day came when Knoblauch and German partner Elke Rongen faced Nina Gorodetzky (ISR) and Liliia Prokofeva (RUS) in the final match of WH1-2 women’s doubles Group A. Both pairs vying for top spot in the group.

The Germans looked in full control of the first game which ended 21-12, but a brave comeback was on after the Israel-Russian pair took the second 18-21. A thrilling 21-18 third end gave the Germans the win and saw them live up to their seeding at the top of the knockout draw.

Tomorrow they face Nathan (NGR) once more, who partners Kenyan Asiya Mohammed Sururu for a place in Sunday’s final, and a chance for that second potential gold medal.

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Arguably Knoblauch’s toughest test this week awaits in the WH1-WH2 mixed doubles. She and partner Young-Chin Mi are number 2 seeds in Uganda and have lived up to their ranking so far this week with straight sets wins in the group stages.

They face an Indian pair Prem Kumar Ale and Ammu Mohan in the quarter-finals tomorrow morning. 

In the opposite side of the draw, Konstantin Afinogenov (RUS) and Emine Seckin (TUR) lay patiently waiting for their chance to take on the Germans. Ranked one place higher at world number 7, just 170 points separates both pairs. A crucial tournament victory here this week may be valuable later in the year, especially when it comes to World Championship ranking points later this summer. 

The Uganda Para-Badminton International 2019 continues this week. Look out for updates and results each day on tournament software here with this link.