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Gerhardt Grönboldt, 79, is the oldest participant at the European Senior Championships 2018 (Photo: Badminton Europe)
Gerhardt Grönboldt: “I do not eat after 6 and sleep 11 hours every day”
Date: 9/28/2018 4:57 PM
Published by : Annika Langrock
Gerhardt Grönboldt is 79 years old and plays badminton since 62 years. The German is the oldest participant at the European Senior Championships 2018 but is still one of the best seeded. He spoke with Badminton Europe about his passion: Badminton. 

This year, Gerhardt Grönboldt won the German championship for the 18th time in his career. The player from Hamburg, Germany, started to play badminton in 1957, since then he won 133 titles. And the badminton passionate intends to achieve more of those: 

- I hope to get a bronze medal in the men’s doubles at the European Senior Championship. I really wanted to get a medal in the singles as well.

One more chance to get a medal
On Friday, the oldest participant of this year’s European Senior Championships lost his single’s match against his strong opponent from Finland, Osmo Perkinen. The match ended with 12-21 and 21-23 for the Finish. 

But Gerhardt Grönboldt still has a chance in the doubles with his partner, Hans Schumacher. Around 6.30 PM (CET), the German pair is playing against Scotish/English pair, Carl-Johan Nybergh and Kenneth Tantum. 

- We are playing the category of 70-year-old there. So, it will be more challenging but I think we can make it to the semi-finals.

Hard working, in badminton and in life
Gerhardt Grönbold is 79 years old, in about three months he will turn 80. But the senior is not thinking about retiring, neither in badminton nor in life. He is still working as an engineer for the city of Hamburg and has badminton training sessions four times a week.

- For me 79 is just a number, I do not feel like this. I love to play badminton. 

Since the last 38 years, Gerhardt Grönboldt has not been ill 
To achieving all his goals and being that fit, the German implies a certain kind of life style:

- I never eat after 6.00 PM, I sleep eleven hours every day and drink a lot of water. The doctor recommended that to me years ago. I have not been ill since 38 years.

You can watch all matches from the European Senior Championships live at Badminton Europe. Therefore, you just have to download the ‘Badminton Live’ app or follow our YouTube channel.

Download the ‘Badminton Live’ app here:



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