Badminton Europe is delighted to announce that the former European Champion, Mike Tredgett MBE, is the new member of the BEC Hall of Fame.
The Englishman played in both Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles – and is one of Europe’s most successful players ever at the European Championships.
Tredgett represented England in the Men’s Doubles with Ray Stevens and Martin Dew. He also competed in the Mixed Doubles with Nora Perry, who is also a member of the BEC Hall of Fame.
Three All England titles
The Englishman, who celebrated his 70th birthday at the beginning of April, managed to win the All England three times with his Mixed Doubles partner and BEC Hall of Fame member, Nora Perry.
As well as that, Tredgett reached the All England final in Men’s Doubles four times, twice with Ray Stevens (1972, 1980) and once Martin Dew (1983, 1984).
The former three-time Champion has reveals to Badminton Europe that it was always a dream of him to win the All England.
- Growing up as a boy, all of the other Championships were irrelevant. But the All England was like Wimbledon in tennis, it was definitely the one to win, Tredgett said.
- When I won it the first time, I was just ecstatic, over the moon. And then, you come back and do it again and again, it was just fantastic. You don’t think of that as a boy growing up, he added.
European Championships
Tredgett is also the five-time European Champion, he won the title three-times in the Men’s Doubles and twice in the Mixed Doubles. He also won Silver twice and has won five Bronze medals at the European Championships.
The former Commonwealth Games Gold medallist also spoke about the team events at the European Championships, and the goals that he had.
- I was quite young, when I played my first European Championships. I played Men’s Doubles with Ray Stevens and we won it. I was really pleased with that, Tredgett said.
A big part of the European Championships was the team event, and in my day, there was always a battle to win Gold, against Denmark, he added.
- It is great to see all the new countries coming into the Championships and competing. In my day, it was just around four or five countries fighting for the medals, he said.
An exclusive club
Tredgett will join the Hall of Fame which is full of talents from European Badminton over the past years and becomes the second MBE to join the prestigious group.
The most recent member, Peter Gade was given a place last year and Tredgett joins the Dane along with Nora Perry (ENG), Gillian Gilks (ENG), Erland Kops (DEN), Lene Køppen (DEN), and Morten Frost (DEN).
- My first thought when I heard the news was: “Why me?” In Europe I can think a few players that are probably equal to receiving the award. Some from my era, Tredgett says.
- I am really proud. Receiving this award was unexpected. I follow some very famous badminton players and I am really really pleased.
Notable achievements
- Silver medal at the World Championships - (1980 - Nora Perry), (1983 – Martin Dew)
- Gold medal at the European Championships – (1976 Men’s Doubles, 1978 (Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles,1980 Mixed Doubles, 1984, Men’s Doubles)
- Silver medal at the European Championships - (1982 - both Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles)
- All England titles - (1978, 1980, 1981 - Nora Perry)