angus pederson

ALEXANDRA Park School pupil Angus Pedersen represented England at badminton’s Under-15 Eight Nations tournament at the weekend – and returned with two silver medals.

The 14-year-old, of Rhodes Avenue, Wood Green, competed over four gruelling days at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes, and celebrated second place with the England team and then in the individual plate event.

Host team England were drawn in a tough group against the Netherlands, France and Germany, with each match consisting of nine rubbers – one mixed doubles match, two boys’ singles, two girls’ singles and four level doubles.

England got off to a convincing start on Day One, beating the Netherlands 9-0 and then defeating France 6-3 before finally emerging victorious over Germany 7-2.

That put them into a final with Denmark the following day, and the match was decided by just a couple of points as Denmark won 5-4, taking the gold and leaving England with the silver.

Later that day Angus began his campaign in the mixed doubles, and the Haringey teenager started well, winning his first two matches with partner Lynnlette Aung to reach the last 16.

However, that pitted them against Denmark’s Tobias Suder and Anne Katrine Hansen, the second seeds, who emerged victorious and went on to contest the final.

In the singles, Angus was eliminated 16-21, 20-22 by France’s Alexandre Hammer, but went into a consolation singles event on Day Three – and beat a Belgian and then two French players to reach the plate final on Day Four.

There he met his fellow England team-mate Jed Arksey, and lost 21-18, 21-12 to pick up another silver medal.

Angus’ training is partially funded by a Haringey Sports Scholarship, and also by a SportsAid Grant. Alexandra Park School is also very supportive, allowing him training time in the sports hall and fitness suite.