Monday 6 February 2012
Owen Kilburn succeeds in being selected for the England Para-badminton squad
Owen Kilburn preparing himself on the badminton court
Having played badminton for over six years, starting at the age of 15, Owen Kilburn has progressed swiftly and entered into his first Paralympic badminton competition, only a year and a half later. Owen's many one-to-one sessions with his coach, NTU Badminton Coordinator Oliver Ward, have also helped him to be successful.
It was in 2009 that Owen won his first gold medal at a four nations competition, and since then he has continued to achieve good results, having attained a treble on two occasions, winning all three titles (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles).
Owen is now looking forward to training with the Para-badminton squad, competing in the European Championships in Germany later this year and also participating in the World Championships next year.
All players named in the Team England Para-Badminton squad will benefit from a specific Team England training camp, as well as support at the 2012 European Para-Badminton Championships, hosted by Germany in June.
Owen said "I couldn't be any happier on being selected for the England Para-Badminton squad. At the age of 10 I was told I would never be able to play competitive sport after developing a condition in my left elbow where for a short time I couldn't even use my left arm at all. To defy all odds and come this far to be selected for the national team is almost indescribable."
Owen is keen to play in front of a home crowd when the four Nations Para-Badminton championships comes to Nottingham for the first time in 12 and 13 May this year. We are sure he will do NTU and himself proud.
