Happy who, like Martin Bellot, will have two matches to win to be able to challenge the world No. 7, Saturday February 7, at the French badminton championships in Caen. Last year, Briochin, 22nd French badista and first drafted, would not have been invited to try his luck.
“An acceptable compromise”
In Chambly (Oise), only the first twelve in the national ranking could compete for the title in the five tables. An “elitist” formula, supposed to protect the four seeded players, often international players with busy schedules, but which was decried by the vast majority of other bad players, deprived of “France”.
“In the last two editions, you were 14th French and you couldn’t make the “France”, I found it hard”, says Erwin Kehlhoffner, four times titled in the men’s doubles as seniors and who remembers also having experienced “the qualifications several weeks before the final phase”.
Erwin Kehlhoffner coaches Yaëlle Hoyaux at “France” 2023, in Cesson-Sévigné. (Photo archives Olivier Louarn)
“The format ‘qualifying on Thursday and everyone is affected from Friday’ is my preference but the system proposed in Caen could be an acceptable compromise. Even if I think that when you are in the top 10 in the world, you are not going to be tired or worried when you enter the quarterfinals,” continues the Alsaco-Breton from Flume Ille Badminton (35).
Why not change the date?
“Going from 24 players to twelve, it was too limiting. It was no longer a showcase for our discipline. This suited neither the players nor the organizers, recognizes Laurent Schwizgebel, vice-president in charge of events at the French Federation (FFBaD). When we took the reins with the new team, at the end of 2024, we worked on an in-between. We have 20 players involved, with all the leaders, which gives credibility to the titles awarded. »
The results of Caen will be decisive for the future, without neglecting the possibility of changing the date. “We are not closed to moving the event, especially since the International Federation is working to change the calendar,” says Schwizgebel.
“The “France” do not issue selections, so what would be the problem in making them in June? », says Kehlhoffner, obliged to leave Caen on Friday evening to join the Brittany youth championships, Saturday and Sunday, and coach the next generation.
James Whitfield is Archysport's racket sports and golf specialist, bringing a global perspective to tennis, badminton, and golf coverage. Based between London and Singapore, James has covered Grand Slam tournaments, BWF World Tour events, and major golf championships on five continents. His reporting combines on-the-ground access with deep knowledge of the technical and strategic elements that separate elite athletes from the rest of the field. James is fluent in English, French, and Mandarin, giving him unique access to athletes across the global tennis and badminton circuits.
