Lauren Smith and returning Olympic medallist Marcus Ellis earn an automatic qualification place in the mixed doubles after finishing in eighth spot on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Race to Tokyo rankings.

The pair climbed the world rankings during the Olympic qualification period, having reached the semi-finals of the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships earlier this year.

Men’s singles player, Toby Penty will make his Olympic debut alongside Chloe Birch who pairs up with Smith for the women’s doubles.

Birch will head to her first Games having enjoyed some superb recent victories with a notable silver medal at the 2019 European Games spearheading their campaign.

Left-handed Penty secured his men’s singles spot, finishing 52nd in the world rankings and 23rd in the BWF Race to Tokyo rankings.

Women’s singles’ Kirsty Gilmour will compete in her second Olympic Games following her debut at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Gilmour qualified for Tokyo as number 26 in the BWF world rankings and 18th in the BWF Race to Tokyo rankings.

Completing the line-up is men’s doubles pair Ben Lane and Sean Vendy who qualified by virtue of their impressive performances on the BWF World Tour in January this year, becoming the first English men’s double pair to reach the semi-finals of a World Tour event. Ranked 25th in the world, they then went on to win the Orleans Masters event two months later.

Team GB Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mark England, commented: “It is a great honour to be able to confirm such a strong team of athletes to represent Great Britain in badminton at the Tokyo Olympic Games. After badminton’s historic Rio 2016 campaign we welcome returning medallist Marcus back onto the team, alongside an exciting mix of athletes with Olympic experience and those making their debuts; a group that will undoubtedly put on a gripping show out in Tokyo.

“As we near ever closer to the Opening Ceremony on 23rd July, we hope that today’s announcement not only gives these athletes a great sense of pride, but a final boost for their remaining preparations before departing for Japan next month.”

Today also marks the announcement of the Paralympic badminton team for the Tokyo Olympic Games, with Jon Austin, Badminton England Performance Director and Badminton Team Leader for Tokyo, commenting: “It has been a long journey to get to the point today where we can announce both our Olympic and Paralympic teams for Tokyo. The players, coaches and support staff have performed and worked tirelessly in the most extreme circumstances to get to a position where we can announce those that have been selected today.

“There has been so much uncertainty about whether both Games would go ahead, so to be in a position where we are shortly to get on the plane is something that I know all involved will be relieved but also relishing the opportunity to perform at the pinnacle of our sport for Team GB.”

Team GB badminton squad for Tokyo Olympic Games:

Men’s singles: Toby Penty
Women’s singles: Kirsty Gilmour
Mixed doubles: Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith
Women’s doubles: Lauren Smith and Chloe Birch
Men’s doubles: Ben Lane and Sean Vendy

Courtesy of Team GB

The Team GB Olympians have competed on the HSBC BWF World Tour together since 2013 and have achieved remarkable success throughout that period.

Having first discovered her passion for playing at school, Gabby attended a local club alongside her sisters and her talent then began to show. With 435 career wins to her name, in both mixed and women’s doubles, Leeds-born Gabby will look back on her career with great pride.

Gabby first joined the England set up in 2006 and won a breakthrough world junior silver medal, with Chris, in 2007 and has not looked back since. For husband Chris, 2007 was also the year he earned his first England senior cap and his career grew from strength to strength from that moment on, achieving a remarkable 468 career wins.

In 2010, Chris and Gabby made their Commonwealth Games debut helping Team England to a bronze medal in Delhi.

Alongside his then Mixed Doubles Partner, Imogen Bankier, Chris took the World Championships in London by storm in 2011 achieving a silver medal, and 12 months later, made his Olympic debut for Team GB in London in 2012, again with Imogen. Chris represented Great Britain at the Rio Games in 2016, this time alongside Gabby.

Source: Badminton Photo

In 2014, at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Chris and Gabby were part of the Team England that won a team silver which they then followed up with individual gold in the Mixed Doubles event.

The following year, Chris and Gabby won the BWF World Tour Finals in Dubai, the first English players to claim this prestigious title and in 2017, Chris and Gabby again made England proud when they returned to Glasgow for the World Championships and took a bronze medal.

In the same year, they won their first European Championships gold medal, with victory in Kolding, Denmark.

2018 saw the duo successfully defend their Commonwealth Games title on the Gold Coast, as well as retain their European gold medal.

The pair’s final professional competitive match was at the 2021 European Mixed Team Championships qualifiers in December. Gabby then suffered with Covid and was forced to pull out of this year’s YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships.

With the pair currently occupying the 14th world ranking spot in mixed doubles, it is time for them to reflect on the past decade and their incredible achievements along the way.

Gabby said: “What an unreal journey the past 15 years have been! I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be able to do what I love for so long.

“I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved, and the life lessons badminton has taught me along the way.

“I’ve been fortunate to travel the world making many friends along the way. I will forever cherish the magical moments like standing on the podium alongside my husband and celebrating with our team.

“Finally, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported me throughout my career. It really means a lot and never went unnoticed.

“I am super excited for the next adventure and will always keep a keen eye on the sport I will forever love.”

Chris added: “My journey in badminton over the past 15 years has been everything and more than I could have ever hoped for as a young boy who fell in love with the sport at such a young age, however I now feel this is the right time to step away from competing.

“I’ve always felt extremely privileged to be able to do something I love for my job & I leave the sport knowing that I did everything I could to make the most of this opportunity.

“Badminton has given both Gabby & myself so much. We have so many amazing memories, experienced some unbelievable experiences & met so many incredible people along the way. All this while travelling the world together.

“The feeling of competing at the very peak of the world level was always my dream and happily we got to do that for an amazing 10 years. The moments standing on the podium with a gold medal around your neck is undoubtedly a feeling I never forgot and will always look back on them with pride.

“Of course, being an athlete isn’t always easy and I want to thank the people who have always been there supporting me, not just in my successes but throughout my whole career. My family have always been unbelievable and made it possible for me to achieve what I have.

“I’m super excited about the next chapter in our lives and everything it brings.”

Badminton England Chief Executive, Adrian Christy, paid tribute to both players: “This is a very sad day for the world of badminton, for Badminton England and Team GB, and also for me personally, such is the respect we all have for two outstanding players and wonderful people who it has been my privilege to know.

“I cannot thank Chris and Gabby enough for the pleasure, excitement and memories they have given to so many fans over the years.

“That incredible Saturday night at the World Championships in London, gold medals at European and Commonwealth Games, the World Tour Finals win and the brilliant medal at the World Championships in 2017.

“Chris and Gabby wore the England and GB shirt with great pride, they waved the flag for English badminton around the world for more than a decade and they will go on to achieve amazing things in their future careers – I just hope they will remain in badminton in some capacity, because they are both too important to the future generation of English badminton.

“English badminton has been lucky enough to have many players who have been exemplary role models for our game; Chris and Gabby have been incredible ambassadors for us, not just at international level but how responsive they have been to support our grassroots programmes and community badminton initiatives in clubs and schools.

“I wish Chris and Gabby all the luck and success for their future – thank you for the amazing memories.”

Head Coach, Pete Jeffrey, added: “I feel very fortunate and honoured to have been a part of Chris and Gabby’s entire senior career. Their relentless drive to improve, together with their tremendous work ethic, have been the cornerstone of their numerous successes. I have witnessed first-hand how much they have given to achieve the enormous accomplishments they deserve, and I can certainly say they gave it their all.

“I would like to congratulate them on their incredible legacy that they leave behind and pay tribute to their families and coaches for the support they have provided them over the course of their journey. I personally wish Chris and Gabby every success for whatever path they choose to take next.”

Jon Austin, Performance Director, said: “I have known Chris and Gabby since they were young, enthusiastic teenagers who from the outset showed they had the unwavering determination to succeed.

“I have closely followed their careers and on occasions have had the pleasure to help and support them in some small way. They are both credits to the Great Britain and England shirts and have an enviable record of success over more than a decade. We will miss them both but know they have every intention to stay connected to the sport that has consumed much of their lives to date.”

Courtesy of Badminton England

Rebecca Bedford and Rachel Choong (Photo: Badminton Photo)

Shephard successfully retained the SS6 singles title he won two years ago with a stunning performance in Switzerland, beating Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Yim 21-17 21-10 in Sunday’s final.

Choong, meanwhile, followed up Saturday’s SS6 title with Bedford to take top step on the podium once again, this time with Andrew Martin for their fourth successive win in the mixed event.

The English medal haul didn’t stop there, with Choong also winning silver in the singles, while Daniel Bethell claimed his first TOTAL BWF Para-badminton World Championship silver medal in the SL3 event.

Bedford also earned silver, alongside Scotland’s Robert Laing, in the mixed doubles following their defeat to top seeds Martin and Choong.

A bronze medal also came Bedford’s way in the SS6 singles after losing out to eventual winner Carmen Giuliana Poveda Flores in the semi-finals, while Martin teamed up with Frenchman Fabien Morat for bronze in the men’s SS6 doubles.

Shephard overcame compatriot Krysten Coombs in the final two years ago and was back celebrating gold in Basel, a straight games victory taking him over the line.

The Englishman was top seed for the SS6 and showed why through the week, not losing a match in an event in which he dropped just one game across six matches.

“It’s a great feeling, especially ahead of qualification for Tokyo. To win the World Championships twice in a row is a great feeling, I’m speechless about it,” he said.

“Having it as a parallel games [competing alongside the TOTAL BWF World Championships for the first time] has been great, we’ve been able to go in and watch the other games, we’ve been able to bond off court and share ideas, and it’s been great having the two tournaments together.

“It’s now back into training for me, there are a few more tournaments ahead in qualifying year – it’s about working hard and make sure I can qualify for Tokyo 2020.”

Choong, meanwhile, enjoyed taking home two golds and one silver medal from a busy week which featured 13 matches on court for a player who relishes the World Championship stage.

The first medal came on Saturday, teaming up with Bedford to great effect in winning the women’s SS6 doubles, overcoming second seeds Poveda Flores and Katherine Valli 27-25 21-17.

Then there was the singles, with top seed Poveda Flores this time coming out on top 21-9 21-19, though Choong was still not done there as she secured a third medal of the week.

This time it was back to gold as she and Martin underpinned their No.1 seeding, overcoming Laing and Bedford 21-15 21-13 to wrap up an epic week on the Swiss courts.

“It feels amazing, I’m really happy with the performance I had this week, I felt I gave it my best,” said Choong.

“It was tough, I had 13 matches in six days so it was tough on the body, but I’m happy to leave with the two golds and one silver medal.

“It’s been a fantastic Championships. I really appreciate the minor details that they’ve put into this competition and it’s made a difference, people are getting to see us everywhere.

“It’s been a tough week so the next thing is getting the body on order and we can see where we go from there.”

Choong is no stranger to world medals and Bethell is of a similar experience, with this silver adding to three bronze medals he won in 2015.

Facing top seed Pramod Bhagat was always going to be a tough task but Bethell held himself well, even taking the first game before going down 6-21 21-14 21-5 in a match lasting close to an hour.

He said: “It feels really good, it’s my first World Championship final so it was a really good experience for me.

“I felt really good all week, I’m a little bit disappointed because once you reach the final, the goal is to become world champion so it is bitter-sweet.

“The World Championship is double qualification points so to get to the final here is fantastic, so that’s really good for me going forward and looking towards Tokyo.”

That concluded action on the final day of competition in Switzerland, with the English team enjoying a memorable week – with the last finals coming exactly a year out from when para badminton makes its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

“It’s been a good week for the British team, we had a really tough training block and six weeks building up from Ireland, giving us loads of time to do what we got done,” said head coach Rich Morris.

“There were a couple of games that didn’t go our way, a couple that did, but overall I’m really happy.”

Courtesy of Badminton England 

Three years ago, the young English pair, fresh from winning U19 European Junior bronze, landed the Spanish International title; the third of their fledging senior career at International Challenger level.

Roll forward to 2019 and, after a title barren 36 months for English badminton in the Spanish capital,  the now English national champions repeated the trick, this time as top seeds, to secure their sixth title together on the European circuit.

Saturday’s 21-13, 24-26, 21-18 win in the mixed doubles final over Denmark’s Mathias Bay-Smidt and Rikke Soby Hansen was excellent demonstration of their good form that has seen them run up the world rankings to 28.^.

After a Friday night semi final beating of the dangerous Russian third seeds, Saturday’s final – a career first meeting with Denmark’s reigning Swiss Open champions – was a tense affair with game points traded in a nervy second game in which the English held, but missed out on converting, three Championship points.

The deciding third end was just as nervy but with Pugh impressing at the net, the English pair maintained good momentum and a noticeable change in pace to secure their second title of 2019 after winning in Poland seven weeks ago.

It was a win that netted England a 15^th Spanish International title in the 45 year history of the International Challenger event,

England had opportunity to add to that record earlier on Finals Day but Toby Penty lost out in straight sets to 18 year old Thai sensation and reigning world junior champion in the men’s singles final.

Like Lane and Pugh, Penty has enjoyed an impressive week in Spain marking strong form with big wins over French number one Brice Leverdez and Germany’s Kai Schaefer, who defeated Rajiv Ouseph in February’s European Mixed Team Championships.

For Penty, it was a first finals day defeat in six on the European circuit and he will be buoyed going into the European Games as Team GB’s leading singles man later this month.

Courtesy of Badminton England

The European and Commonwealth champions, well anchored in the top 10 of the world for over seven years, have been named as part of an eight-strong England squad to contend the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup in Nanning 19-26 May.

With 67-caps for England, Chris Adcock is the most capped player in the squad and a veteran of three Sudirman Cup campaigns. The world number six pair are joined in the squad by the world tour experience of Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge– the Olympic bronze medallists and Commonwealth Games champions.

Eight time national champion Lauren Smith brings further Olympic experience; the versatile doubles specialist will look to add to her 30 England caps. Alongside the Adcocks, Smith was part of the 2015 Sudirman Cup squad that finished 9^th in the world.

England’s singles challenge will be led by 2017 National Champion Toby Penty with three-time national champion Chloe Birch likely to blend women’s singles and women’s doubles duty in her position as England number one in both events.

Birch will be supported by Abigail Holden; with five caps to her name, the young lion will be on a first Asian team tour with the senior England squad.

The singles trio will each be making their Sudirman Cup debuts.

England’s combined world rankings of the squad has secured a coveted spot in the world top group and they face Denmark and six time finalists Indonesia in the opening stages (Group 1B).

The top two teams from each of four sub-group in the world top group will progress to the quarter finals and compete for the title.

31 nations have entered the world team championships and England are guaranteed a world top 12 finish. They last progressed to the knock out stages in 2007 when they reached the semi finals in Scotland.

Confirmed England squad
Chris Adcock  (67 caps)
Gabby Adcock (48 caps)
Chloe Birch (21 caps)
Marcus Ellis (37 caps)
Abigail Holden (5 caps)
Chris Langridge (59 caps)
Toby Penty  (23 caps)
Lauren Smith (30 caps)

The TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup will be played between 19-26 May in Nanning, China.

Courtesy of Badminton England

Source: Badminton England

Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith (Photo: BadmintonPhoto)

The Mixed Doubles duo, who both made their Olympic debuts in Rio, defeated China’s Ou Xuanyi and Feng Xueying 21-14, 24-22 to set up a last eight clash as they hunt down a first Super 750 semi final together at world level.

In Thursday’s round of 16, England’s world number 13 pair were never behind in an opening game in which they controlled proceedings then saved game points in the second end before securing victory in the 37-minute fixture.

Having beaten Chinese and Malaysian rivals in the earlier two rounds, Ellis and Smith face Thai opposition in the form of fourth seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai tomorrow (Friday 5 April).

Ellis and Smith are looking for a career first win in three meetings against Thailand’s world number four pair, which included a most recent head to head at the World Tour finals in Guangzhou.

Courtesy of Badminton England

The reigning national champions, both aged 21 and now ranked inside the world top 30, were top seeded for the trip to Poland and justified top billing with a string of fine performances to win the title.

Sunday’s final saw them defeat France’s third seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue 21-17 21-15 in 39 minutes;  the win even more impressive in that the French duo arrived in Poland on the back of winning the Super 100 Orleans Masters title last week.

Lane and Pugh had already beaten Orleans Masters silver medallists Ronan Labar and Anne Tran at the semi final stage.

The title win is Lane and Pugh’s fifth together since stepping up onto the internationals senior circuit – and their first in 2019.

The win is England’s first in Mixed Doubles at the Polish Open since Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork’s title success in 2012 and just England’s ninth in the 40 year history of the tournament.Lane later returned to court to contend the Men’s Doubles final alongside Sean Vendy but missed out 19-21 16-21 to Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan from Chinese Taipei.

Courtesy of Badminton England

Badminton England has revealed that a brand new, tiered National Team League, capable of supporting hundreds of clubs, will be launched in January 2021, following a successful feasibility study.

Photo: Badminton Photo

The ‘progressive’ pyramid league will follow the established team league structures seen in other sports that allow lower level teams to aspire to, and achieve, greater success.

With an aspirational top ‘premier’ division and multiple lower divisions, the National Team League will offer regular ‘home and away’ competitive opportunities for Men’s, Women’s and Mixed teams of all abilities, accommodating additional matches for existing local league teams as well as a huge boost to grass roots badminton by welcoming new teams from clubs, universities, workplaces or groups of like-minded individuals.

Each tier of the National Team League pyramid will play to a consistent matchplay format and scoring system, set nationally.

Seasonal promotion and relegation will enable any teams to climb the leagues and aspire to be in the top division with the national champions representing England in the European Club Championships.

The new national league pyramid is deemed a crucial next step in Badminton England’s ambition to inspire more players of all abilities to play more often and discover more competitive opportunities.

Photo: Badminton Photo

It will also enhance the competitive opportunities of our network of over 1,400 clubs nationwide.

Badminton England will encourage all clubs to be part of the National Team League, which will also compliment the existing annual Senior County Championships, with the new national pyramid designed to improve playing standards, support the development of young players, keep players playing for longer and encourage further investment into badminton.

The existing local league network will run independently of the National Team League however, clubs and teams will have the ability to also join the new national structure.

Adrian Christy, Chief Executive of Badminton England said:  “I am delighted, and very excited, to announce a new National Team League pyramid; this is a significant boost for grass roots badminton.

“We know that local league badminton is a principle reason why so many people play badminton; however, we are aware, that for many, they want to be part of progressive, national structure that can accommodate many more teams at all levels.

“The National Team League will provide that progression by embracing not just existing local league teams and increasing their opportunities to compete, but also to reach out to new teams who may not play local league badminton currently but who will feel inspired to be part of this fantastic new competition.

“I would like to firstly say a huge thank you to those members and league, tournament, club and county volunteers who have played their part in the consultation process to date. Their energy and enthusiasm for the draft proposals has been instrumental in shaping the proposal to date.”

Mark Downie, Head of Competition at Badminton England said: “The plans for the National Team League are ambitious but we want to excite, and energise, more players to play badminton, more often.

“We have listened carefully to the thoughts of clubs and local leagues across England and there is overwhelming support for a structure that can only enhance and extend the competitive club and league offer that is out there.

“If you love playing badminton, as over 100,000 adults do each week, it is hard not to be excited about what the National Team League can do to transform the sport.”

Badminton England will now begin a final phase of consultation with County Badminton Associations, existing leagues, clubs and players to fine tune the detail before announcing the final structure of the National Team League later in the year.

Courtesy of Badminton England

The pair, who both made their Olympic debuts for Team GB in Rio, have only been playing as a partnership since September 2017 but have fast established themselves on badminton’s World Tour, reaching six finals and winning four titles in the past 12 months whilst also netting European bronze and Commonwealth Games silver.

That run has seen titles won in Canada, Germany, Holland and most latterly, Glasgow.

The latest of their title wins together – that being at last weekend’s Scottish Open mixed doubles – came with extra significant and reward for the pair: a shot at winning a share of the $1.5 million prize pot on offer at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals

It is an outstanding achievement that was not on the radar at the start of the year but one that is true reflection of a run of form that has seen them emerge as one of the eight most consistently performing pairs in world badminton during 2018.

Determined by ranking points earned, the showpiece end of season shootout sees the world’s top 8 performing players and pairs in each discipline compete in group and knockout competition format to end the season on a high.

It will be the first time Ellis and Smith have individually qualified for the extravaganza.

England have a rich recent history at the World Tour finals having seen the Adcocks top the podium in 2015 and end as silver medallists in 2016.
Ellis and Smith are Europe’s sole representatives in the highly contested mixed doubles draw.

 Before heading out to rejoin the World Tour in China, Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith are set to compete alongside their England team mates when the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes plays host to England fixtures against Italy, Belgium and Hungary in  Euro Mixed Team Qualifier action, 7-9 December. 

It is anticipated that Smith and Ellis will play some part against Italy on Friday 7 December (6.30pm) before departing for China. 

Limited Tickets are now on sale via Badminton England

Courtesy of Badminton England

The Santander Sporting Scholar, who started a Sports Performance course in September, will partner Freya Redfearn in the girls’ doubles competition taking place from November 5-18 in Markham near Toronto.

They will go into the tournament with confidence high after winning gold earlier this month at the TEM Slovenia Junior International, with Chapman also teaming up with Will Jones to claim her first mixed doubles title.

“I’ve been playing doubles with Freya for the past three years but Slovenia was the first time I’d played in the mixed with Will, so it wasn’t a bad start,” said Chapman, who also competed at the European Junior Championships in Estonia in September.

“I used to play singles but I was getting better results in the doubles so I thought I would focus my attention on that and it has definitely helped. Last year I won titles in Belgium and the Czech Republic, and I’ve had some more good results this year.

“The World Juniors will be my last competition before I move up to senior level next year, so it will be a good way to finish my junior career.”

Chapman, from Milton Keynes, used to play tennis but switched racket sports six years ago after spotting a flyer for badminton trials. She quickly displayed a natural ability for the sport and it was while competing on the national junior circuit that she met Peter Bush, Head of Badminton at the University of Bath.

“I saw Pete at several tournaments and he would tell me about the badminton set-up here in Bath and the support I could get with my sport and studies,” she said.

“It really interested me so I came here for an open day and really liked the campus, how everything – accommodation, lectures and training – is within walking distance. I also liked the city as well.

“It’s been a hectic few weeks with starting university and competing internationally but I think I am managing OK so far. There are a lot of people on my course who are in a similar situation, so the lecturers are used to that and support you.

“I’ve also been fortunate enough to receive a Santander Sports Scholarship. I was so happy when I got it, it has already been a massive help with training and competing.”

Badminton is one of the strongest student sport clubs at the University of Bath, with the men’s and women’s teams regularly topping their BUCS [British Universities & Colleges Sport] league tables in recent years.

“I’ve played three BUCS matches and they have been really exciting,” said Chapman. “Being part of the team has been great and everyone has made me feel so welcome. Bath has built a great reputation for badminton and it’s good to be a part of that.”

For more information about the badminton programme at the University of Bath, visit www.teambath.com/badminton.

Courtesy of Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd