Imogen Bankier labels recent wins a confidence booster – Badminton news
The Scottish mixed doubles player Imogen Bankier labels her and partner’s recent victories a confidence booster for them in the Olympic qualifying contest at the All England Open, starting from March 6 in Birmingham.
The duo Imogen Bankier-Chris Adcock individually set the momentum in domestic events. The Scottish partner Bankier sealed the victory in the Scottish National Championships while the English shuttler Chris Adcock excelled in a national event at Bolton.
Now they are all set to prove their worth in All England Open which is crucial for the duo as they are trying to have the honour of raising country’s flag in the London Olympics 2012.
The All England Draw has pitted them against the world’s best pair Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China but Bankier is fearless after warming-up at the domestic events.
She said, “It can't do us any harm and it's a good confidence booster at the start of the year. Hopefully, we can take it forward now into the tournaments to come.”
The mixed doubles pair Bankier-Adcock, currently ranked 14th in world rankings, has an edge over their compatriots Nathan Robertson-Jenny Wallwork in a tussle to clinch the solo mixed doubles spot in London Olympics.
The British couple Robertson-Wallwork is following them with 18th standing and both mixed doubles team will be looking to pocket world-ranking points as more as possible in All England Open.
The event is crucial especially for Robertson-Wallwork who will be sweating hard to bag the full benefits of an easy draw as they start their expedition with facing unseeded rivals Songphon Anugritayawon and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul.
However, Imogen Bankier is not bothered with the world ranking point’s race and she is focused just to fetch the best in All England Open.
She said, “We're chasing world ranking points but we're not trying to think about it too much. The All England will be a showcase of not only British, but world badminton.”
Meanwhile, Bankier’s partner Chris Adcock has become shuttle c**k between the mixed doubles and men’s doubles partnerships but Imogen Bankier looked satisfied with her partner Chris Adcock doing justice to her.
She said, “Chris splits his time really evenly and he's very fair between both events. He'll give equal time and effort to both of them. That's something I really respect him for.”
The All England Open will surely turn into the clash of the titans with world’s top shuttlers exhibiting their prime skills in the event.
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