115 athletes from 11 countries came to Ukraine to compete at the 2012 Kharkov Internatioal. After a great finals day, the organizers and spectators were able to witness interesting matches and get good impressions of international badminton. And the International Challenge event offered several surprises as well.

The tournament saw the semi-final defeats of the current European Vice-Champion Henri Hurskainen of Sweden and of the local hope Dmitro Zavadsky. The men's singles final was won by Danish youngster Emil Holst against Vitaly Konov of Ukraine 21-17, 21-8.

Andrey Fontaine and Emilie Lefel of France took the women's doubles title - including an intense and emotional match at the semi-finals stage against a Russian pair woth long and dramatic rallies.

The singles final spot from Vitaly Konov and the semi-final from Elizvety Zharka were the positive surprises from an Ukrainian perspective at this year's Kharkov International. With Karina Jørgensen, the local hopeful Zharka was able to beat a strong athlete from Denmark.
 
Nico Ruponen and Amanda Högstrom grabbed the mixed doubles title. The Swedish duo beat Gaetan Mittelheisser and Emelie Lefel in three games and prevent a third victory by France today as Gaetan Mittelheisser and Baptiste Careme proved to be the best men's doubles duo in Kharkov.

The winners of the 2012 Kharkov International:

MS: Emil Holst (DEN)
WS: Evgeniya Kosetskaya (RUS)
MD: Baptiste Careme/Gaetan Mittelheisser (FRA)
WD: Audrey Fontaine/Emilie Lefel (FRA)
MX: Nico Ruponen/Amanda Högstrom (SWE)

To view all results from the 2012 Kharkov International click HERE

Article by Olena Skaletska