Everyone knows about Badminton, whether that be from smirking at the name of a piece of equipment, or playing at your local leisure centre. The racquet sport is extremely physically demanding, with my own experiences meaning I can confirm that claim. Skill, agility and stamina are essential to performing well. This makes those who play at a high standard, at events such as the BUCS Badminton Individual Championships, top athletes. These championships are returning this month, with Freshered providing the lowdown on all you need to know.
Location and Date
The championships are taking place on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th February. It will occur at the English Institute of Sport, in Sheffield. This is just a five-minute walk from the Arena/Olympic Legacy Park tram stop. Unfortunately, you will not be able to attend the event as a spectator. According to the BUCS website, spectators are ‘discouraged at BUCS Nationals.’ They cite ‘the limited capacity of indoor seating,’ and ‘the risk of Covid-19,’ as the reasons.
What are the different events taking place?
There are six different events taking place at this year’s championships. There are men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
For the first time at a BUCS badminton championships, there is also a para-doubles category. This event will take place on Sunday 20th February, with people with the disabilities listed below able to compete:
- One or more impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking balance
- Impairment of the upper limbs
- Short statute due to a genetic condition often referred to as “dwarfism.”
The doubles’ pair can contain either one disabled person and one non-disabled person, or two disabled people. They can consist of any combination of gender, and any non-disabled person who competes elsewhere at the championship will be ineligible.
What is the format of the Championship?
Following the draw for the competition at the venue on Friday 19th February, there will be a straight knockout format. This means there will be no group stages. Each knockout clash will be best of three games, with a game awarded to the first player to reach 21 points.
This is the case for all the disciplines, except the para doubles. The best of three games to 21 remains, with the addition of a group stage, ‘to maximise games played.’
No intervals, and thus coaching, will be allowed in the first three rounds. From the fourth round, they will be permitted, at the following times:
- When a side reaches 11 points in a game
- Between the first and second games
- Between the second and third games
When will the finals take place?
The BUCS website explains that the finals will take place on Sunday 20th February, at around 2:30pm. They hope these will be concluded by 7pm, with the medals and trophies presented afterwards.
Who are the favourites for the championship?
Top men’s singles seed Johnnie Torjussen will be hoping to bring the title back to Nottingham following his victory in 2020. He will face some stern competition from Warwick, including 2020 beaten finalist, Sam Parsons, and Samuel Ricketts.
Katarina Vargova will be hoping to add to her 2020 title for Derby, and is seeded number one in the women’s singles draw. Rachel Sugden from Strathclyde, and Pamela Reyes from Loughborough will hope to upset her title defence.
In the doubles, Loughborough look strong in both the men’s and women’s draw. They face stiff competition from Warwick and Glasgow Caledonian on the men’s side, and Strathclyde and Derby in the women’s.
Fee Ting Liew returns to the mixed double’s, where she was successful in 2020. Alongside new partner Alex Green, she will hope to retain her crown for Loughborough, but they are only seeded third. Strathclyde and UWS are ranked higher and will be hoping to deliver on their potential.