Svend Pri – The All-England Champion who was Overcome with Joy
Svend Pri from Denmark started playing at the All-England in 1965, under the name of Svend Andersen. In that first year he would reach the semi-final of the men’s singles only to play the Danish legend Erland Kops who went on to win the title.
In 1968 as top seed in the singles he would again reach the semi-final only to lose to the young Rudy Hartono from Indonesia who went on to take his first men’s singles title.
Photo: – Louis Ross
From 1967 Svend had struck up a formidable mixed doubles partnership with Ulla Strand taking the mixed doubles title that year and they would repeat the win again in 1971 and 1972.
1972 All-England Mixed Doubles Final.
Far end, Svend Pri and Ulla Strand (Denmark) beating Derek Talbot and Gillian Gilks (England) 12-15, 18-14, 15-2.
Photo: – Graham Habbin
1975 All-England Championships Men’s Singles Final
Svend Pri ( Denmark) v Rudy Hartono (Indonesia)
At that time the All-England was considered the unofficial World Championships. During this men’s final a huge amount of tension had been generated from both sides of the net.
It would be Svend Pri’s 11th year of trying to win the men’s singles title, he had already lost to Hartono in two other All-England singles finals in 1970 and 1972.
Svend Pri
Photo: – Louis Ross
Rudy Hartono was under tremendous pressure from his fellow countrymen, he had won the previous 7 men’s singles titles and was attempting to break the great Dane Erland Kop’s record to win his eighth title.
For more information on Rudy Hartono – Click Here.
Rudy Hartono
Photo: – Louis Ross
Photo: – Louis Ross
In the final, Svend had won the first game 15-11. In the second game Svend accumulated a 12-8 lead, only for Rudy to race forward to 14-12 lead with a game point.
We join the film in the second game at 14-12 to Rudy.
For more information on the history of the All-England Badminton Championships – Click Here.
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