Irina Andersen from Denmark and Katerina Tomalova from Czech Republic practise at the Centre of Excellence in Holbaek, Denmark on a daily basis.   

This weekend they travelled to Uralsk, Kazakhstan to participate in the CONDENSATE Kazakhstan International Series 2019.

Andersen played both mixed doubles and singles, where she reached the quarterfinals in singles, but lost a close match, 21-19 19-21 20-22, to Vlada Ginga from Moldova. 

In the mixed doubles she went all the way to the final, with her partner Jeppe Brun, and played Artur Niyazov from Kazakhstan and Olga Ivashchenko from Russia. The Danes were able to proudly stand on top of the podium after winning 21-17 21-13. 

A strong Ginga

Katerina Tomalova only participated in women’s singles. She reached the semi-finals where she played Vlada Ginga, the player who bet Irina Andersen. Ginga was also too strong for Tomalova, who ended up losing 12-21 19-21. 

Tomalova wrote on her Instagram:

 - Fourth Bronze Medal this year. After Peru, Barbados, Guatemala I add a medal from Kazakhstan and an important 1750 points to Olympic Qualification.