Nico Meerholz

Nico Meerholz (born 23 October 1959) is a South African badminton player. He competed in both men's singles and men's doubles at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He is one of the first South African players to win gold in men's doubles at the African Badminton Championships.

Career In 1992, Meerholz competed in the 1992 African Badminton Championships in all three disciplines. In men's singles, he defeated Mohamed Juma of Tanzania and entered the semi-finals. He won bronze after losing to Anton Kriel. In men's doubles, Meerholz partnered with Kriel and won gold in the event after defeating Gilles Allet and Eddy Clarisse of Mauritius in the final. In mixed doubles, Meerholz partnered with Tracey Thompson. The duo lost in the semi-finals against their compatriots.

Later that year, Meerholz competed in the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He competed in the men's singles event but lost in the first round to Chan Kin Ngai of Hong Kong. Meerholz also competed with Anton Kriel in men's doubles. Their momentum was stopped in the first round after they lost to Shuji Matsuno and Shinji Matsuura of Japan.

In 1996, Meerholz and Kriel lost the South Africa International men's doubles final to Johan Kleingeld and Gavin Polmans. A year later, the duo won the title after defeating the same opponents they faced in the previous final.

Achievements African Championships Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1992 Rose Hill, Mauritius Anton Kriel 13–15, 8–15 Bronze Bronze Men's doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1992 Rose Hill, Mauritius Anton Kriel Gilles Allet Eddy Clarisse 15–7, 15–1 Gold Gold 1994 University of Port Elizabeth,Port Elizabeth, South Africa Alan Phillips Stephan Beeharry Eddy Clarisse Gold Gold Mixed doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1992 Rose Hill, Mauritius Tracey Thompson Anton Kriel Lina Fourie 7–15, 7–15 Bronze Bronze

IBF International (2 titles, 3 runner-up) Men's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1996 South Africa International Anton Kriel Johan Kleingeld Gavin Polmans 15–17, 11–15 Runner-up 1997 South Africa International Anton Kriel Johan Kleingeld Gavin Polmans 15–7, 15–10 Winner 2000 South Africa International Anton Kriel Johan Kleingeld Gavin Polmans 14–17, 15–12, 15–9 Winner

Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1995 Botswana International Tracey Thompson Johan Kleingeld Lina Fourie 3–15, 3–15 Runner-up 1997 South Africa International Tracey Thompson Johan Kleingeld Lina Fourie 15–10, 9–15, 4–15 Runner-up