The BWF TOTAL World Championships is now less than one month away and the very best talents across the world will be fighting for that all-important title in Basel, Switzerland.
Another factor to this year’s World Championships is the Olympic Qualifying points, which are available in their numbers should players perform well in Switzerland.
Which European stars can you expect?
At this moment in time, the majority of Europe’s best players will travel to Basel to fight to be World Champions.
In Men’s Singles, despite Viktor Axelsen being the favourite to impress, Anders Antonsen will go into this tournament with a lot of belief, especially if Axelsen does not compete due to the recent setbacks that the Dane has had.
Looking at the Women’s Singles, a lot will depend on whether Carolina Marin will make a return this soon or not, otherwise, the top Europeans are split, between Mia Blichfeldt from Denmark and Kirsty Gilmour from Scotland, based on recent performances on court. Also, the medallists from the European Games, Russia’s Evgenia Kosetskaya and Denmark’s Line Kjaersfeldt, will be ready to perform in Basel.
The Men’s Doubles category is very strong. The obvious top pair on the ranking is Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Denmark) but close behind is Marcus Ellis/Chris Langridge (England), while the German pair Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Seidel are also on the up.
In the Women’s Doubles category, this is where it could be tough for Europe, depending on the draws. The pair to watch here is Selena Piek/Cheryl Seinen, after winning the European Games, they will definitely want to prove a point.
The Mixed Doubles category is one of the strongest categories for Europe. Top of that list is the two English pairs Marcus Ellis/Lauren Smith and Chris/ Gabrielle Adcock, but others that could surprise a few people are Sam/Chloe Magee as well as Robin Tabeling/Selena Piek. Germans Isabel Herttrich and Mark Lamsfuss are not to be underestimated. One of a number of European pairs wanting to make an upset in Basel.
All you need to know
The World Championships will begin on 19 August and continue until 25 August, giving the fanatics enough for their badminton fix.
The event this year is being held in Basel, which is a city on the Rhine River in the North West of Switzerland.
The Venue of the World Championships is going to be St. Jakobs Halle, the same place as where the Swiss Open 2018 took place.
The tickets for the World Championships can be found via the official tournament website or if you click here.
Also taking place at the same time is the Para-Badminton World Championships, which take place at the same time.