The 21-year-old Emil Holst won his first International Challenge title by beating Ukrainian Vitay Konov 21-17, 21-8 on Sunday. We spoke to the European Junior Champion of 2009 about the tournament in Kharkov.
BADMINTON EUROPE: Emil, how does it feel to win your first ever Challenge title?
Emil Holst: I am so happy! I have been working very hard to get this title. So to win the tournament in Ukraine was a really nice experince.
BADMINTON EUROPE: You beat the current European Vice-Champion in the semis. What was your tactic against Henri Hurskainen?
Holst: I just played my own game. It is the second time I was able to beat him so I had a good felling before the game. And during the match, I felt I had a good control of the overall game.
BADMINTON EUROPE: You have been away for some time after you became European Junior Champion. Can you tell us what happened?
Holst: I have been practising, then I finished my school. During the last couple of years, I became much more seriously and I guess its starts to pay off now! Last season, I had many times bad luck in my matches and additionally many injuries. That made it very difficult for me. But now its much better and I'm looking forward to the upcoming tournaments.
BADMINTON EUROPE: When Peter Gade is retiring, there is a new structure of the Danish men's singles. Where do you see yourself?
Holst: I see myself as one of the talents, who shall fight to be the new first Danish men’s singles player.
BADMINTON EUROPE: Any goal you have set yourself in this 2012/13 season?
Holst: I want to win more Challenge tournaments and beat players who are in the top 30 in the world rankings.
Thanks for the interview!
BIO Emil Holst:
- born 09 January 1991
- Denmark
- World rank no. 80
- European Junior Champion 2009
- 5th World Junior Championships 2008 (MD)
- Winner of Iceland International 2011 (MD)
- Runner-up Norwegian International 2011 (MS)
- Runner-up Kharkov International 2012
- plays for Solrød Strand in Denmark's top division
- Click here for the BWF profile of Emil Holst