Svend Pri (earlier Svend Andersen; March 18, 1945 – June 8, 1983) was a Danish

badminton Badminton is a racquet sport played using racket (sports equipment), racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net (device), net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are "singles" (with one player per s ...

player who won numerous major titles from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s.

Career

His play was marked by great power, tenacity, and tactical astuteness. Pri competed in

badminton at the 1972 Summer Olympics Badminton was one of two demonstration sports at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. It was the first time that the sport was part of the Olympic program, and it would become an official Olympic sport 20 years later at the 1992 Summer Olympics. ...

, where badminton was played as a

demonstration sport A demonstration sport, or exhibition sport, is a sport which is played to promote it, rather than as part of standard medal competition. This occurs commonly during the Olympic Games, but may also occur at other sporting events. Demonstration spor ...

. In men's singles he was defeated in the final by Rudy Hartono 15-6, 15-1. In mixed doubles he played together with Ulla Strand and they were beaten in the final by

Derek Talbot Derek Talbot (born 23 March 1947) is a former English badminton player. One of Britain's most successful "all-rounders," he won eleven English National Championships four singles, three doubles, and four mixed doubles. He also won four Commonw ...

and Gillian Gilks 15-6, 18-16. An excellent three event (singles, doubles, mixed doubles) player, the high points of his career were probably two dramatic singles victories over the iconic Rudy Hartono, one in the Challenge Round of

Thomas Cup The Thomas Cup, sometimes called the World Men's Team Championships, is an international badminton competition among teams representing member nations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the sport's global governing body. The championships h ...

(Denmark v. Indonesia) in

1973 Events January * January 1 - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 15 – Vietnam War: ...

, the other in the final of the All-Englands in 1975. He won a silver medal in the

1977 IBF World Championships The 1977 IBF World Championships were held in Malmö, Sweden in 1977. Medalists Medal table Events References External links Straits Times {{World badminton champs BWF World Championships IBF World Championships Badminton Badminton ...

in men's singles, losing against

Flemming Delfs Flemming Delfs (born September 7, 1951) is a former Danish badminton player who was world no. 1 in 1977. He won the All England Championship, the European and the World Championship in the 1970s. Career Delfs is especially noteworthy for winn ...

in the final 15-5, 15-6.

Death

Experiencing personal difficulty in coping with family and financial problems in the wake of his badminton career, Pri took his own life in June 1983 at the age of 38.

Achievements

Olympic Games (demonstration)

''Men's singles''

World Championships

''Men's singles''

European Championships

''Men's singles''

International tournaments

''Men's singles'' ''Men's doubles'' ''Mixed doubles''

References

External links

Svend Pri's Profile - Badminton.dk
1945 births 1983 deaths Danish male badminton players Badminton players at the 1972 Summer Olympics 1983 suicides Suicides in Denmark Sportspeople from Copenhagen {{Denmark-badminton-bio-stub