Paul Whetnall

Paul E. Whetnall (19 February 1947 – 1 May 2014) was an English badminton player who won national and international titles between 1968 and 1980.

Career Whetnall was noted for his shot-making accuracy and tactical astuteness. In his most successful season, 1975–1976, Whetnall won the open men's singles crowns of South Africa, Scotland, Germany, and the USA, as well as his third and last English National singles title. In 1970 Whetnall was a men's singles runner-up in the quadrennial British Commonwealth Games, losing a close final to Canada's Jamie Paulson. Shortly after this, his tournament career suffered a -year hiatus due to a badminton pro-tour venture which folded in 1973. Whetnall represented England in Thomas Cup (men's international team) competition in the 1969–1970 and 1975–1976 campaigns.

Whetnall represented the England team at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. He competed in the badminton events, winning a silver medal in the singles.

Four years later he won a second silver medal (in the mixed doubles) at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Personal life In 1968 he married Susan Pound who was an outstanding player of the same era. After he retired in 1980 he mainly coached in Kent for many years and also in charge of coaching for England national badminton team in several high profile tournaments such as Commonwealth Games and World Badminton Championships.

On 1st of May 2024, Paul died at 67. He left behind his wife Susan and a son and a daughter, Andrew and Claire.

Achievements Commonwealth Games Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1970 Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland Jamie Paulson 15–10, 13–15, 10–15 Silver Silver

Mixed doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1974 Cowles Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand Nora Gardner Derek Talbot Gillian Gilks walkover Silver Silver

European Championships Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1970 Afan Lido, Port Talbot, Wales Elo Hansen 9–15, 2–15 Bronze Bronze 1976 Fitzwilliam Club, Dublin, Ireland Flemming Delfs 9–15, 7–15 Bronze Bronze

International tournaments (16 titles, 5 runners-up) Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result 1970 Scottish Open Derek Talbot 13–15, 15–9, 15–10 Winner 1974 Scottish Open David Eddy 15–1, 15–6 Winner 1974 Mexico International Roy Díaz González 15–7, 5–15, 15–9 Winner 1975 South African Championships Ray Stevens 15–12, 15–11 Winner 1975 German Open Flemming Delfs 10–15, 12–15 Runner-up 1976 Scottish Open Ray Stevens 15–5, 5–15, 15–11 Winner 1976 German Open Flemming Delfs 17–14, 15–10 Winner 1976 U.S. Open Thomas Kihlström 17–14, 15–10 Winner 1980 Scottish Open Steve Baddeley 15–6, 15–1 Winner

Men's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1969 Scottish Open Ray Sharp Robert McCoig Mac Henderson 18–16, 13–15, 18–14 Winner 1974 Mexico International Victor Jaramillo Roy Díaz González Jorge Palazuelos 11–15, 11–15 Runner-up 1975 South African Championships Ray Stevens Kenneth Parsons William Kerr 15–9, 15–7 Winner

Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1966 Dutch Open Julie Rickard David Horton Jenny Horton 3–15, 4–15 Runner-up 1968 Dutch Open Angela Bairstow David Eddy Margaret Boxall 15–13, 15–11 Winner 1970 Belgian International Margaret Boxall Alan Parsons Lore Hawig 15–4, 15–5 Winner 1970 Scottish Open Margaret Boxall Roger Mills Gillian Gilks 2–15, 15–11, 8–15 Runner-up 1970 Canadian Open Margaret Boxall Ippei Kojima Susan Whetnall 15–12, 5–15, 13–15 Runner-up 1970 U.S. Open Margaret Boxall Ippei Kojima Machiko Aizawa 15–8, 15–2 Winner 1974 Scottish Open Nora Perry Mike Tredgett Margaret Boxall 15–4, 18–14 Winner 1974 Mexico International Carlene Starkey Yves Paré Maryanne Breckell 11–15, 15–9, 15–4 Winner 1975 South African Championships Susan Whetnall Ray Stevens Barbara Sutton 6–15, 15–10, 15–3 Winner