World Champs Success
Please see the below summary of British performances in Lohne. In addition, a look forward to 2010 and what it may hold. Further news items to follow...
World Champs Success
With two golds and four silvers the World Racketlon Championships were a great success for British competitors. These were rewarded to the following:
O55's - Richard Whitehouse (England) - Gold
Superman proved what a lack of injuries over the years can mean. The super fit badminton and squash supremo dished out the punishment in only his 2nd year in this category. He also made the rounds (yet again) of the O45's class, giving away 10 years! Reaching the last 16 of this category, he bowed out to the eventual winner Peter Bittar from Sweden (a repeat of the 2008 final), who knows Richard may have even been able to get to the same stage with a better draw.
Mens Class D - Andrew Hogg (Scotland) - Gold
Whilst a bit strong for this category with previous wins over world ranked 25 player Ray Jordan back in 2006 and World Tour Class B semi finals behind him, Hogg still did well to punch through a host of German players. Good work.
Mens U13's - David Jones (England) - Silver
Son of Alistair with a similar profile. Great badminton and tennis star for the future, chanceless in the final against a taller, older Austrian.
Mens U16's - Alexander Oliver (England) - Silver
Great improvements in squash were not enough to take out the experienced Toomjoe brother (Ken Kristian). Good prospect for the future at this rate of improvement.
Mens O45's - Steve Thomson (Scotland) - Silver
The badminton player's return and veteran debut caught the eye and it took a previous Swedish national champion to bring Thomson's run to an end.
Mens Class C - David Lazarus (England) - Silver
Unlucky to lose in the veteran's last 16 by one point to Peter Sakovics, he came up against a German "Class A" player who was "too good". The squash supremo will be back and has taken up a new role within the English Racketlon Association as head of sales. David's experience in sales will help bring sponsors into the British tour.
World Tour Race
Also congratulations go to Jermaine Manners (England) and Steve Kneller (Wales) for their silver medals in the World Tour race. Mens Class A and Mens O45's respectively. Lets not forget Maureen Thompson who also made the podium in the Ladies.