Flemming Delfs

Flemming Delfs (born 7 September 1951) is a 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 winning men's singles at the first IBF World Championships held in Malmö, Sweden in 1977. He dominated that same 1976/1977 season by winning nearly all other noteworthy tournaments, including the All-England Championships. Delfs won three consecutive European men's singles titles in 1976, 1978, and 1980. He played on all four Danish Thomas Cup (men's international) teams between 1972 and 1982, two of which (1973, 1979) reached the championship round before losing to Indonesia. Tall, with an elegant style and powerful backhand, Delfs was a highly impressive player at his best, but typically had difficulty in the hot, humid conditions he encountered in the Far East.

Later life After ending his active career, Delfs became CEO and co-owner of Patrick Skandinavia A/S the Danish distributor for Patrick.

Achievements

World Championships Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1977 Malmö Isstadion, Malmö, Sweden Svend Pri 15–5, 15–6 Gold Gold

Men's doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1980 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Steen Skovgaard Rudy Heryanto Kartono 7–15, 7–15 Bronze Bronze

World Cup Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1979 Tokyo, Japan Iie Sumirat 7–15, 7–15 Bronze Bronze 1980 Kyoto, Japan Masao Tsuchida 10–15, 13–15 Bronze Bronze

Men's doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1979 Tokyo, Japan Steen Skovgaard Masao Tsuchida Yoshitaka Iino 13–15, 10–15 Bronze Bronze 1980 Kyoto, Japan Steen Skovgaard Ade Chandra Christian Hadinata 6–15, 3–15 Silver Silver

European Championships Men's singles

Men's doubles

European Junior Championships Boys' singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1969 Sporthal de Vliegermolen, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Netherlands Preben Boesen 15–0, 15–1 Gold Gold

Boys' doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1969 Sporthal de Vliegermolen, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Netherlands Hans Røpke Keith Arthur Ray Stevens 15–9, 10–15, 10–15 Bronze Bronze

International tournaments (30 titles, 34 runners-up) Men's singles

Men's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1970 Nordic Championships Jørgen Mortensen Svend Pri Per Walsøe 8–15, 8–15 Runner-up 1973 Nordic Championships Elo Hansen Svend Pri Poul Petersen 16–18, 17–16, 15–10 Winner 1974 Portugal International Elo Hansen David Hunt William Kidd 12–15, 15–8, 10–15 Runner-up 1974 Nordic Championships Elo Hansen Svend Pri Poul Petersen 10–15, 6–15 Runner-up 1975 Jamaica International Elo Hansen Mike Tredgett Ray Stevens 15–13, 4–15, 11–15 Runner-up 1975 Mexico International Elo Hansen Sture Johnsson Thomas Kihlström 11–15, 15–13, 15–5 Winner 1975 Nordic Championships Elo Hansen Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 9–15, 2–15 Runner-up 1975 Norwegian International Elo Hansen Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 5–15, 15–5, 18–17 Winner 1976 Swedish Open Elo Hansen Jesper Helledie Jørgen Mortensen 15–0, 15–2 Winner 1976 Dutch Open Elo Hansen Klaus Kaagaard Steen Skovgaard 15–6, 15–12 Winner 1976 Denmark Open Elo Hansen David Eddy Eddy Sutton 13–15, 11–15 Runner-up 1976 Norwegian International Elo Hansen Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 6–15, 12–15 Runner-up 1977 Japan Open Steen Skovgaard Nobutaka Ikeda Shoichi Toganoo 15–9, 15–2 Winner 1977 Denmark Open Steen Skovgaard Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 6–15, 8–15 Runner-up 1977 Nordic Championships Steen Skovgaard Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 15–4, 12–15, 12–15 Runner-up 1978 Denmark Open Steen Skovgaard Ade Chandra Christian Hadinata 15–6, 15–11 Winner 1978 Canadian Open Steen Skovgaard Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 15–9, 10–15, retired Runner-up 1978 Swedish Open Steen Skovgaard Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 15–18, 15–9, 15–8 Winner 1978 Nordic Championships Steen Skovgaard Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 15–5, 15–9 Winner 1979 Canadian Open Morten Frost Ade Chandra Christian Hadinata 5–15, 1–15 Runner-up 1979 Swedish Open Steen Skovgaard Steen Fladberg Morten Frost 15–12, 12–15, 15–10 Winner 1979 Nordic Championships Steen Skovgaard Bengt Fröman Thomas Kihlström 15–13, 11–15, 14–17 Runner-up 1980 Copenhagen Cup Steen Skovgaard Steen Fladberg Morten Frost 15–8, 15–6 Winner 1980 Denmark Open Steen Skovgaard Ade Chandra Christian Hadinata 15–10, 10–15, 15–10 Winner 1980 Chinese Taipei Open Steen Skovgaard Bobby Ertanto Hadibowo 13–18, 5–15 Runner-up 1980 Victor Cup Steen Skovgaard Thomas Kihlström Claes Nordin 5–15, 17–18 Runner-up 1981 Japan Open Prakash Padukone Christian Hadinata Lius Pongoh 4–15, 5–15 Runner-up 1981 Nordic Championships Steen Skovgaard Steen Fladberg Morten Frost 9–15, 5–15 Runner-up

Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1972 Canadian Open Pernille Kaagaard Elliot Stuart Eva Twedberg 15–11, 18–17 Winner 1972 U.S. Open Pernille Kaagaard Elliot Stuart Eva Twedberg 15–5, 15–1 Winner 1973 Mexico International Carlene Starkey G. Harris Madalene Steinbroner 15–12, 15–1 Winner