Previous Danish Medallists at World Championships on Danish soil

Denmark has successfully staged the World Championships four times. We spoke to Danish medalists from each edition of the World Championships held in Denmark, and a current player with a big dream to medal at the Royal Arena.

By Ronni Burkal Elkjær

1983, Brøndby Steen Fladberg: Gold MD and silver XD

Q: What was it like playing the World Championship for the first time in Denmark?

A: So special. There was only one TV channel in Denmark back then, and they gave the World Championships a lot of attention, so it was huge in Denmark, because you couldn’t see anything else on TV. Morten Frost and Lene Køppen had achieved a lot at the All England, so the expectations on them were high. Both suffered early losses and suddenly we received a lot more attention than we were used to, and the pressure was on us to secure medals for Denmark. Fortunately, we played some of our best badminton in the semifinals, and every good player participated, so that makes me even more proud, that we won the championship.

Q: How did you manage the extra attention from the spectators?

A: When you are standing in the middle of a totally packed Brøndby Hallen, you get a little nervous and excited. If you get through that first round coping with the pressure, you can use them as support. Everybody clapped when we won a rally. It was the best. We got a lot out of it, attention wise, this time people could watch us play instead of staying awake in the middle of the night to watch us play in Asian tournaments. So, this was something else, and for me personally working full time and studying along with playing badminton, it gave me sponsors and money I could use in my career.

Q: Did you feel any pressure as a world champion going forward?

A: For me it didn’t add another layer of pressure. It was quite calming to me because now I had tried it and knew I could do it. You can’t take that feeling and the gold medal away.

1991, Brøndby Jon Holst-Christensen: Silver MD and bronze XD

Q: What do you remember most about the 1991 World Championships?

A: It was the first World Championships I ever participated in my career, and it was in Denmark, so it was very special.

Q: What was it like playing in front of a home crowd?

A: It was crazy. I consider myself a joy for the spectators because of my body language, the way I played, and I enjoyed the interaction with them. I think the worst match to play was the first round. You don’t know where you stand physically and mentally. But after that win, you get a few extra percentages from the spectators. Often the expectations are high to players playing at home, but I thrive under those circumstances. It’s the best feeling going into the final, and there is only one court, so you know everybody is looking at you. And you have 98 percent of the spectators rooting for you. If you can use the spectators as support, that’s a massive upside.

Q: What do you remember of your men’s doubles final?

A: I’m still getting goosebumps thinking of the night before the final when Thomas Lund and I drove to downtown Copenhagen to get dinner after we had defeated the world No. 1 pair and knowing we would play in the finals of the World Championships the next day. It literally tickles down my spine just talking about it. But when I lost the final, it was with mixed emotions. The Crown Prince of Denmark handed me the medal, so that was a nice experience, but when you aren’t winning you stand with a lot of thoughts trying to figure out, where you could have found the last percentages. Overall, it was a giant experience, and it was at that time, when the sport really started being more professional with better training and a long preparation for the World Championships.

1999, Brøndby Camilla Martin: Gold WS

Q: How do you remember your World Championships final?

A : The week before the World Championships we played Sudirman Cup on home court as well. We reached the final where I lost to a Chinese player after blowing a massive lead. A week later there I was in the World Championships final facing the same Chinese player and I almost blew a massive lead again. But somehow, I managed to pull out the win even though I was in so much trouble. And I was even close losing in the first round. There were so many difficulties during those two weeks. I came close to losing in the first round. I injured my back, and I was dealing with blisters. I remember driving to Brøndby before the semifinal and not even wanting to play, because I was completely drained mentally and physically after playing more than 10 matches in two weeks. I had to deal with a lot of pressure. It took me a long time to watch the final again without getting nervous. Even though I know what the outcome was.

Q: How was it standing on top of the podium in front of the Danish spectators?

A: I actually remember very little of it. I remember walking up and hearing the national anthem playing in the arena. Otherwise, I remember hugging Mette Sørensen, who won bronze, and there were tears. But it was an out of the body experience because I was so drained. Now when I look back, seeing what I achieved, I am very proud of making history.

Q: Besides winning gold at the Olympics is a gold medal at a World Championship on home court the biggest thing you can win?

A: No doubt. If I had won the Olympics, of course that would have been the cherry on the cake. But winning the World Championships and on home turf, it does not get any bigger for me.

2014, Ballerup Christinna Pedersen: Bronze XD

Q: Competing at a home World Championships, how was that experience for you?

A: I remember it very clearly. I was very much looking forward to playing a World Championship on home soil. I was used to competing at the Denmark Open every year, and I knew that playing at home comes with extra attention from not only yourself but also from the media, spectators etc. Many people wanted to speak with me when I arrived or left the arena and that could add some extra pressure. But I saw it as something positive.

Q: How did it differ from playing Denmark Open?

A : It was 100 per cent different because it was a World Championship event. To win a medal at a World Championships is something every player dreams of. An Olympic or World Championships medal is something else. My advice for the players at this year’s World Championships is to pay attention to the pressure on your shoulders. Know that it is okay if you don’t win, but you must do your bests to prepare for these kind of thoughts in regards to pressure.

Q: You have won five individual World Championships medals, but was it special winning one in Denmark?

A: I’m getting goosebumps when you mention my success at home. Regardless if it’s at the Denmark Open or the World Championships, it is a nice feeling to win the first or second round. That experience is something else and maybe we owe 5 per cent of our medal in appreciation of spectator support.

Kim Astrup: Bronze MD in 2021

Q: How much do you look forward to competing at the World Championships on home turf?

A: It’s one of the biggest moments in my career. I feel lucky competed at home in 2014, because now I know what’s waiting for me and I have an idea of what it’s going to be like. Anders and me, of course have higher expectations than when we competed in 2014. I hope we can use our experience from playing an World Championships at home turf one time before.

Q: Aside from playing at the World Championships in 2014, you have played the Denmark Open in front of a home crowd. How is your 2023 experience going to be different?

A: All the good things of playing Denmark Open in a crowded arena, when it’s going well, it will be even nicer. On the other hand, it could be tough, if it’s not going the way, you hope, and it can be a negative spiral playing in front a home crowd when it’s not going well. So, I must prepare myself for both cases.

Q: You won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2021. How do you think you will feel standing on the podium in the Royal Arena receiving a medal?

A: Just the question gives me goosebumps. It would mean a lot. That is what you fight for each day. We are fortunate and lucky to have won one medal. I’m hoping to double that number. It would be one of the greatest achievements in my career. And that’s my target.