This time last year we announced results from over 20 national championships across Europe. Things are very different now, yet a couple of nations crowned their champions under these new difficult playing conditions.
Medvode in central Slovenia was host to the 64th national championships, with 98 players competing. A total of 140 matches were played under COVID-19 restrictions, demonstrating the willingness of all involved to get badminton played in the country again. Testing, bubble systems and mask-wearing are becoming a new norm to get sport moving again.
Triple crown for Polanc
Once again, the 20-year-old Petra Polanc, dominated her categories, picking up the women’s doubles with Kaja Stanković and the mixed doubles with Miha Ivančič. However, this time she added the women’s singles title, taking it away from the holder and her doubles partner, Stanković. Polanc had to defeat her in the semifinal in perhaps the match of the championships, 22-20 14-21 21-19, lasting over an hour.
Miha Ivanič/ Gašper Krivec held onto their men’s doubles title and Ivanič helped himself to the men’s singles title after the injury withdrawal of last year’s winner, Andraž Krapež.
Slovenia
MS – Miha Ivanič
WS – Petra Polanc
MD – Miha Ivanič/ Gašper Krivec
WD – Petra Polanc/ Kaja Stanković
XD – Miha Ivančič /Petra Polanc
Krausz and Sárosi regain Hungarian singles crowns
Pécs in Hungary hosted Hungary’s national championships over the weekend which saw many of Hungary’s star players embrace this opportunity to regain their spots at the top.
Gergely Krausz, who was a standout player in Hungary’s European Mixed Team Championships qualification attempt in Group 1 in December, took back the singles title from Gergő Pytel, 21-18, 21-13. The two singles players, teaming up together, took the top prize in the men’s doubles.
Laura Sárosi, who before Christmas was still not at 100 per cent after contracting COVID-19 three months prior, regained her position as the best in Hungary after defeating Ágnes Kőrösi in the final. Partnering András Piliszky, she doubled up with the mixed doubles title also.
Kőrösi and Daniella Gonda were unmoveable from their women’s doubles title.
Hungary
MS – Gergely Krausz
WS – Laura Sárosi
MD – Gergely Krausz/ Gergő Pytel
WD – Daniella Gonda/Ágnes Kőrösi
XD – András Piliszky/ Laura Sárosi