The BABOLAT Bulgarian International gets underway this Wednesday, in Sofia, and will continue for the rest of the week in the Bulgarian Capital.
There are eight seeded players for both the Men’s and Women’s Singles with both top seeds playing in their home country.
Ivan Rusev is the top-seed for the Men’s Singles while Mariya Mistsova is the number one seed for the Women’s Singles.
The home nation strength – Out of the five categories, Bulgaria flies the flag for the top seed in the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles and the Men’s Doubles.
Preparation is key
Badminton Europe COE player Toni Woods has revealed that she has endured a long training block ahead of the Li-Ning Czech Open last week and the Bulgaria International this week.
The 19-year old has also had team matches in Denmark and is feeling ready to continue the progress that she has made over the past month.
- The preparation for this tournament has been going very well. I had a 5-week training block at the centre of excellence building up to the Li-Ning Czech Open last week and this tournament here in Bulgaria, Woods said.
- I have also had team matches in Denmark giving me the match practice that I need for the tournaments.
- After this build up, I feel fit and ready for the tournaments and last week I performed well at the Czech Open so I am hoping to continue this into this tournament, she added.
Maximum efforts despite a tough schedule
BEC Centre of Excellence player Niks Podosinoviks admits that he has had a busy last couple of months with a tournament in Ukraine and team matches in Denmark but insists that he won’t let it affect him.
- I haven't had any free weekends to give myself a rest since the tournament in Ukraine because I have to play a lot of team matches, but it doesn't mean that I am not ready for this tournament, Podosinoviks said.
- I am always ready to play and I will always give my max on the court! The 20-year-old added.