Ksenia Polikarpova (Israel) -  the winner of women’s singles in Estonian International 2018, is currently training in Badminton Europe’s Centre of Excellence and getting ready for her upcoming tournaments together with the other members of the Centre.

She is world no. 58 this week on women’s singles world ranking list. In her words, it is a good start after a break and she is aiming to reach the second page of the list, that is – top 50 until May.

-There is a good structure for trainings in the Centre of Excellence – on court sessions, gym, recovery sessions. Here you can have a regime and concentrate just on trainings, cutting everything that can ‘’interrupt’’ you. All of this can help athletes to achieve their goals, Polikarpova tells Badminton Europe.

Talking about her long-term goals, Polikarpova mentions: a medal from European Games and European Championship and qualification for the Olympic Games.  

Read: Official: Luxembourg to host first BEC Championship 

Skodstrup’s fast improvement

After successful two weeks of tournaments, reaching finals in both of them, Denmark’s Michelle Skodstrup occupies position no. 227 on women’s singles world ranking list.

The young Dane was no. 833 with 550 points based on the ranking of December 14. She played her two senior tournaments until the new year and finished the year as no. 528.

With the second place in Estonian International and first place in Swedish Open, Skodstrup now has 6100 points.

Read also: Warner: A challenge to keeping the level consistent

Men’s singles after Malaysia and Estonia

Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus (Denmark) is two spots up this week on men’s singles world ranking list. The Malaysia Masters 2018 semi-finalist occupies position no. 17 this week.

France’s Lucas Claerbout- the winner of men’s singles in Estonian International 2018 is world no. 71 this week. Jacob Nilsson, the runner-up of the same tournament is currently on his career-best ranking position – no. 151.

Another player who achieved a career-best result is Finland’s Henri Aarnio. A semi-finalist in Estonia, Henri occupies position no. 118 on men’s singles world ranking list.