Yonex Welsh International Championships 2016
The Welsh International is one of the longest standing Internationals in Europe and has been running since 1927. The 270 players entered in this year’s event is testimony to it one of the best run tournaments on the BWF and Badminton Europe circuits. It is a world ranking qualifying event for the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World and Continental Championships.
Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze Medallists, Chris Langridge and Marcus Ellis won the tournament last year. This year we have Rio 2016 Olympians and Commonwealth Medallists competing, including Polish pair Robert Mateusiak and Nadia Zieba who beat England’s Chris & Gabby Adcock to secure a place in the Olympic Quarter Finals in August. Eight Welsh Players will be looking to make their mark on this event, including Daniel Font who is a Glasgow 2014 athlete and our young star Gean Sou Mo (featured on the attached poster) who represented Wales at the European U17 Championships earlier this year.
It proves to be a great day out for all the family, in the comfort of a warm hall this winter. Spectators will have the opportunity to see badminton being played at its best, for free!
Photo Opportunity
Badminton Wales would like to invite you to cover the Yonex Welsh International Championships 2016.
What: Yonex Welsh International Championships 2016 When: 30th November – 3rd December
Where: SWNC, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, CF119SW Start times: 30th 9am, 1st 9am, 2nd & 3rd 10am
About the Event
The Yonex Welsh International Badminton Championships is the premier event in the Badminton Wales calendar. Players from all over the world will compete over 4 days of competition (from 30th Nov – 3rd Dec). The Welsh International has maintained its International Challenger status this year in a bid to attract the World’s best to the Welsh capital.
This year’s competition will see:
- Over 300 entries from over 30 countries (including Malaysia, India and Chinese Taipei as well as many European Countries) come to Cardiff to put their skills and abilities to the test.
- The 5th Welsh International at a Challenger level where the total prize money reaching $17,5000 USD (compared to $6,000 USD total prize money offered at a Series level)
- Numerous Welsh players entering their home event. Commonwealth Games athlete Daniel Font alongside senior internationals Aimee Moran and Jordan Hart will be looking to produce strong performances and progress through to the later rounds, picking up valuable ranking points. One of our most promising Junior Gean Sou Mo who was one of Sport Wales’ “Ones to Watch Wednesday” athletes will be looking to make her mark on the Senior Circuit in the Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles with her older brother Tsung Fong Mo.
- Jordan Hart and Aimee Moran will continue to battle it out in their Senior Badminton career looking to make improvements on their recent Singles results. Aimee – winner of Carebaco International, Semi Final of Santo Domingo International. Jordan – Semi Final of Bulgaria International.
Quotes from the players
Jordan Hart, Girls Singles Welsh National Champion 2016 said “I’m really looking to playing in Wales. It's a great feeling to have friends and family come to watch as they aren't able to watch me play very often! It’s also great to have support from people that come to watch us from Wales. They definitely give us an advantage and those few extra points in games!”
Notes for Editors
- Badminton Wales is the sport's governing body in Wales. Our goal is to develop badminton as a sport for all and to encourage the best players to progress through the structure at club, county and International level
- Photo opportunities will be available with the Welsh participants
- Interview opportunities with the General Manager, international players and coaches.
