Dan delighted with Euro medals haul
Veteran’s joy at landing a gold, silver and bronze
Dan Travers has returned home from the European Senior Badminton Championships with three medals around his neck.
The former Commonwealth Games ace, competing in Guadalajara, Spain, secured gold in the 60+ mixed doubles alongside Christine Black.
That special win was followed up by a silver in the men’s doubles with partner Rob Ridder and a hard-fought bronze in the men’s singles.
“If someone said to me before I went away that you’ll win the mixed, I would have taken that,” beamed 62-year-old Travers.
“But to get a silver in the doubles and a bronze in the singles was great.
“I was dreading the singles a little because I’ve not been able to play and you need to be fit when you get there.
“The singles takes it out of you more than anything else, but I prefer the singles.
“I lost 21-19 in the third set in the singles.
“I had five games on the Saturday, that was pretty tough. I could hardly walk in the morning.”
Claiming gold in the mixed doubles – a 21-18, 22-20 win over English top seeds Ian Purton and Christine Crossley – was particularly special.
“I was very happy to win the mixed because we had to withdraw against that pair at the World Championships in India,” Travers said.
“I’d pulled ligaments so had to pull out.
“My foot hadn’t been much better and I hadn’t practiced before I went away, so I was absolutely delighted with what I did there.
“It’s always close with Ian and Christine. They are good friends and we have played them a lot. The games are always pretty tight.”
Travers praised partner Black, adding: “Christine is very good and, for her age, is very quick. She reads the game well.
“I actually felt amazingly good. There was a Swedish chiropractor at the event, who helped me in India, and I had to go to him for help again.
“My leg flared up and, because I hadn’t been practicing, my muscles were sore.
“He was very good and patched me up at the end of every day.
“You certainly don’t want to lose, that can be the difference.
“Sometimes you have a bit more knowledge than some of the players.
“But they are certainly fitter because they have all trained for the competition.”
The Scottish Nationals take place at the beginning of next month in Glasgow and Travers is looking to maintain his form.
He said: “There’s the Scottish Nationals coming up early in November so that will be the next thing.
“You just need to keep your hand in and hopefully that stands you in good
Travers with his gold, silver and bronze medals from the Europeans stead. I’m hoping to get a wee bit of training done. I’ve been busy coaching all over – universities, individuals and locally in Perth.”