Rajiv Ouseph aims for stint at the top after record sixth title

Rajiv Ouseph is convinced he can be England’s top-ranked player for years to come after claiming a record sixth straight English National Badminton Championships title in Manchester.

Ouseph beat former England number one Carl Baxter in straight sets at the National Cycling Centre, winning 21-13, 21-15 in 30 minutes.

Baxter has now been beaten by Ouseph, who competed for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, in each of the last five years.

It proved another straight forward run to the title for Ouseph, who didn’t drop a set throughout.

Now the world no.34 wants to take his home form onto the international circuit as he begins his cycle towards competing at Rio 2016.

“I was just happy to win and win convincingly, said the Hounslow-born 26-year-old. “That is what I came to do and to just show the guys that is my level and they need to play very well to beat me.

“It is always good to win a tournament, wins are something you can’t really put a price on and if I can take this form into the Europeans and then the All-England Open I will be happy with that.

“Since the start of 2013 I have played quite well in the international tournaments and also here this week so if I can take this form going forward I will be very happy.

“I’m still young enough to play the next Olympics and playing in London has given me a bit of a taster to go for the next one.

“I’d like to think that in there years time I will be there or thereabouts for qualifying and hopefully do a little bit better.”

Next up, come & experience the world’s best players and London 2012 Olympians at the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships. For more information, visit www.allenglandbadminton.com

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