Finally, the nominations for the prestigious BEC Gala Awards are here. The badminton community eagerly awaits the upcoming gala in May where the stage will be set to honor outstanding achievements, outstanding sportsmanship, and remarkable contributions to the sport.
The nominees represent the essence of excellence in European badminton and are carefully selected for their remarkable achievements and contributions. It is time to recognize and applaud the fantastic efforts that have left an indelible mark on the badminton scene in Europe in 2023.
Who will be the winners? The countdown to the gala night has begun!
The nominees are:
BEC Male Player of the Year
Viktor Axelsen, Denmark: Winner of 7 titles in 2023, including European Games, World Tour Finals and China Open.
Kim Astrup / Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Denmark: Winners of 5 titles in 2023, including European Games and French Open – silver at the World Championships.
Robin Tabeling, Netherlands: Winner of European Games with Selena Piek.
Thom Gicquel, France: Final of European Games and China Open with Delphine Delrue.
BEC Female Player of the Year
Carolina Marin, Spain: Winner of European Games and Orleans Masters – five other finals in 2023, including World Championships and World Tour Finals.
Gabriela Stoeva / Stefani Stoeva, Bulgaria: Winner of European Games – three other titles in 2023 on IC-level.
Selena Piek, Netherlands: Winner of European Games with Robin Tabeling.
Delphine Delrue, France: Final of European Games and China Open with Thom Gicquel.
BEC Young Player of the Year
Anastasiia Alymova, Ukraine: Gold in WS and WD at the European U17 Championships.
Salomon Adam Thomasen, Denmark: Gold in MS at the European U17 Championships.
Alex Lanier, France: Bronze in MS at the World Junior Championships, Winner of ORLEN Polish Open.
Gianna Stiglich, Italy: Quarter finalist at the World Junior Championships, Winner of ENEA Polish U19 Open and FZ FORZA U19 Irish Open.
BEC Senior Player of the Year
Drifa Hardardottir, Iceland: Gold in WD40 and XD45 at the World Senior Championships
Gry Uhrenholt Hermansen, Denmark: Gold in WS40 and WD40 at the World Senior Championships
Jan-Eric Antonsson, Sweden: Gold in MS60, MD60 and XD55 at the World Senior Championships
Jim Garrett, England: Gold in MD75 and XD75, Silver in MS75 at the World Senior Championships
BEC Para-badminton Player of the Year
Lucas Mazur, France, SL4: Winner of 8 titles in 2023 including European Para Games and Canada Para Badminton International 2023
Daniel Bethell, England, SL3: Winner of 6 titles in 2023 including European Para Games and the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International.
Man-Kei To, Belgium, WH: Winner of 8 titles (4 XD) including European Para Games 2023 and Thailand Para Badminton International 2023 (XD).
Helle Sofie Sagøy, Norway, SL4: Winner of 3 titles in 2023 including European Para Games 2023 and Spanish Para Badminton International Toledo 2023.
European Fan Player of the Year
Christo Popov, France
Anders Antonsen, Denmark
Alex Lanier, France
Toma Junior Popov, France
Viktor Axelsen, Denmark
Helle Sofie Sagøy, Norway
Carolina Marin, Spain
Mia Blichfeldt, Denmark
Coach of the Year
Kestutis Navickas, Head Singles Coach of France
Svetlana Zilberman, National Coach of Israel
Thomas Stavngaard, Coach Badminton Denmark
Rune Svenningsen, National Headcoach of Greenland
Shot of the Year
Victor Axelsen, Denmark
Anders Antonsen, Denmark
Gregory Mairs, England
Jan Colin Völker, Germany
Marcus Rindshøj, Denmark
Social Media Award
This is a brand-new category. The BEC Social Media Award of the Year recognizes a person or more persons, who has contributed significantly, outstandingly, and positively to the promotion of the sport of badminton in Europe via social media.
Huge congratulations to all the nominees - may the odds be in your favor!
All winners will be announced on May 25 2024.