At the 2026 European Badminton Championships, Kirsty Gilmour, Ben Lane and Sean Vendy left their mark on an outstanding week for the United Kingdom, symbolising a return to the forefront of the continental stage. Just days after the stunning breakthrough of Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen against the French favourites in mixed doubles, the competition concluded by confirming this underlying trend. In Huelva, the British squad walked away with two gold medals, alongside a silver in mixed doubles and a promising bronze in men’s doubles, outlining the profile of a benchmark tournament. Read more Read More
In what was billed as one of the most competitive editions in recent years, the 2026 European Badminton Championships have already produced their first major shock. The English pairing of Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen delivered a statement performance to knock out top seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue in the round of 16. The French duo, European champions in 2024, were widely expected to contend for gold once again, yet fell in a gripping three-game encounter (21-17, 18-21, 22-20) that showcased the resilience and growing maturity of their British opponents. Read more Read More
British badminton rediscovered its sparkle this summer thanks to two teenage prodigies. Ishasriya Mekala and Kalyan Manoj etched their names into history at the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), each claiming gold in the singles events and delivering an unprecedented double for the United Kingdom. It was also the country’s first badminton medals at the EYOF since 1999 – a landmark moment which may well signal the beginning of a new chapter for a sport still seeking greater recognition in the very country where it was invented. Read more Read More
