Ravenshead duo Chris and Gabby Adcock’s victory at the Swiss Open Badminton Championships last weekend was further evidence of the rise of English badminton ahead of the Commonwealth Games and World Championships this summer.
The Swiss Open, a BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament, the third highest level in the world, proved the perfect opportunity for the mixed doubles married couple to demonstrate why they are English National Champions and ranked fifth in the world.
The Adcocks defeated China’s Chai Biao and Tang Jianhua 21-17, 21-13 in Sunday’s mixed doubles final.
England’s last winners of the Swiss Open were Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms in 2006.
The Adcocks added the Swiss Open mixed doubles title to their Hong Kong Open triumph in November.
Following their win, 24-year-old Chris told BADMINTON England: “I am so happy with the win. It followed some tough matches at the Yonex All England last week in Birmingham and we knew we had to get our heads down, work hard and improve on those performances.
“We have a run of tournaments now with the European’s at the end of next month, as well as looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games and World Championships in the summer, so we know we have to be consistent.”
Gabby added: “We had such great support out there and to win the title feels amazing.
“As our second major tournament win in only a few months, I think this highlights the progress we have made as a pair on court as well as the rise of English badminton.
“BADMINTON England has so many different ways to play our great sport and I would really encourage as many people as possible to get on court and start playing.”
The result sets the pair up for the European Championships in Kazan, Russia, at the end of April as well as Glasgow 2014 and the World Championships in Denmark.
