The World Senior Championships will be held from 4 to 11 August in Katowice, Poland.
The categories are 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+ and 75+. All draws where the number of entries are more than 16 will be played on a knock out basis. Where entries are up to 16 in an event of any age category, the event may be played on a league format.
This is a big day for Polish Badminton, as all eyes will be on the country during the tournament. The Ambassador for the World Championships is Robert Mateusiak, one of Poland’s most successful badminton players in history. European champion in 2012, winner of the Indonesian and Hong Kong Open and former number one in the world in mixed doubles, all with partner Nadiezda Zieba (formerly Kostiuczyk).
High level
When asking Mateusiak what this event means for Poland, he responds:
-I am very happy that the World Championships are taking place in Poland, as we can show the people that after ending your sporting career you can keep at a high standard of fitness and play at a high level. This event, and similar events on the world scale hosted by Poland is excellent exposure for our country.
When asked why, as a 43-year-old, he isn’t playing?
-The main reason is that last year I was still playing the elite World Championships. In addition, I am now part of the main Poland national coaching staff, therefore it is not right, and due to lack of time I am not taking part just yet.
Last World Senior Championships, in Cochin (India) 2017, England topped the medal table with 30.5 medals, followed by Thailand and Russia with 14 and 8.5 medals respectively. Poland managed a silver and a bronze. Will they manage a gold with the home support?
For all the fixtures and results, click
here.