Badminton Association of England announces 18-member squad for 2011 World Championships
The Badminton Association of England has announced an 18-member squad for the 2011 World Badminton Championships, which will kick off from August 8 in London, England.
The English squad will also have five wild card entries, which are awarded to the English players by the Badminton World Federation. Three shuttlers in the singles category and six pairs in the category of Doubles have qualified through the world rankings
for the mega event.
Jens Grill, the new Performance Director of BAE said, “This squad represents a blend of youth and experience.”
She further added that, “But the five wild cards have given us a great opportunity to build for the future by giving youngsters like Toby, Sarah, Lauren and Alex the chance to show what we can expect from our new generation of players as we plan far beyond
London 2012.”
In the category of Men’s Singles, Rajiv Ouseph who won the silver medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games will lead the squad along with Carl Baxter. Toby Penty remained fortunate as he received a wild card entry for the Championships.
In the category of Women’s Singles, Elizabeth Cann qualified for the mega event, whereas Sarah Walker received a wild card.
The former world champion Nathan Robertson will be participating in the mega event and will be partnered by Jenny Wallwork in the Mixed Doubles. The couple is currently ranked 13th in the world rankings. England’s other Mixed Doubles pair will
be Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier.
Marcus Ellis and Heather Olver will also join hands in the Mixed Doubles category as they have a wild card as well. Anthony Clark has also received a wild card for the Championships.
In the category of Women’s Doubles, Wallwork will play with Gabby White, whereas Heather Oliver and Mariana Agathangelou will also be competing in the event from England. Lauren Smith and Alex Langley received a wild card for the mega event.
In Men’s Doubles, Adcock will join forces with Andrew Allis, whereas Marcus Ellis will be partnered with Peter Millis.
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