England's Langridge and Olver win Czech International badminton titles

By David Gold

September 30 - Chris Langridge and Heather Olver have both won two titles at the Thwack Czech International in Brno, avenging a defeat to Belgium earlier this month by fellow English pair Marcus Ellis and Gabby White.

Langridge (pictured above, right) and Olver (pictured above, left) had won the first game 22-20, but were 7-6 behind when Ellis had to retire with injury, thus ceding the title.

"It was obviously not the best way to win a title but we will take it for sure," commented Olver.

Both had the chance to win another title later in the day though, Olver returning to court to take on Scots Jillie Cooper and Kirsty Gilmour alongside Kate Robertshaw.

Gilmour, who won the singles title against France's Sashina Vignes Waran, was unable to repeat her triumph earlier in the day, as Olver and Robertshaw cruised to a 21-16, 21-15 victory.

Chris Langridge (right) and Heather Olver in action at at the Czech International

Langridge also completed his double alongside Peter Mills, as they beat team-mates Peter Briggs and Harley Towler 21-14, 21-16.

"This is great for me personally as I have been in finals and lost and never managed to get over the line," Mills told Badminton Europe afterwards.

"So it is great to finally win one with Chris and I will enjoy the feeling and hopefully there will be more."

The men's singles title was clinched by Denmark's Joachim Persson, who defeated compatriot Kim Bruun 21-11, 21-10.

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