This time, Kim Bruun is going for the gold in today’s final at the Belgian International, while other European players will be winning four of the bronze medals after not making it through the semifinals.
Kim Bruun, Denmark, first won a medal in the Belgian International in 2019, beating the Popov brothers on his way to the top and falling to Lakshya Sen in the semifinal. He won a bronze once again last year losing to yet another Indian player in the semifinal, Ajay Jayaram.
Sometimes, the third time’s a charm. Today, Bruun has won the semifinal and will be the only European playing in the finals. The way to the top is not so easy as there is some tough competition in the tournament. “It is very tough. There have been some very long matches”, explains Bruun.
His first match was only Thursday, playing one hour and seventeen minutes against Lu Chia Hung, Chinese Taipei, the Denmark Masters reigning champion. Bruun then won against number three seed Pablo Abian, Spain, later on the same day.
In the quarterfinal yesterday, he secured a win in straight games against his opponent Ade Resky Dwicahyo, Azerbaijan. The Dane only needed one win to get past the bronze medal and play for the gold in Belgium for the first time. Second seeded Arnaud Merkle, France, would not make it easy for Bruun to book a spot in the final.
After losing the first game 8-21, Bruun bounced back and gave a good fight in what was a match with thrilling points and long rallies. The Dane then went on to win the remaining two games, 23-21 21-16. “It was very hard, especially mentally. I just fought and kept believing in myself”, said Bruun.
Tomorrow, Bruun will be the sole European representative playing for the title. “I am very happy and proud of my performance today. This will be my first time in the final in the Belgian International, so I am very much looking forward to it”, Bruun said after his win in the semifinal.
Four bronze medals for Europe
In mixed doubles, English pair Gregory Mairs/ Jenny Moore and Denmark’s Jesper Toft/ Clara Graversen lost their respective matches and will be winning bronze medals. Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba and France’s Arnaud Merkle have also secured the third/fourth spot on the podium. Chinese Taipei will be playing four out of the five finals.