This is Surrey --
LEATHERHEAD'S Chris Langridge admits he is hell bent on making winning a habit after claiming two titles at the English National Badminton Championships.
The 27-year-old headed to Manchester's National Cycling Centre bidding for a rare double as he went up against the great and good of English badminton in both the men's and mixed doubles events – his first appearance in the latter since 2009.
But despite this four-year absence and the fact that he and partner Heather Olver only joined forces in September, Langridge collected his first mixed doubles title with a 21-14, 24-22 victory over Marcus Ellis and Alyssa Lim in Sunday's final.
However, Langridge wasn't done there, returning to court with Peter Mills to avenge last year's men's doubles final defeat to Chris Adcock and Andy Ellis with a come-from-behind three sets victory against the same opponents.
The English Nationals marks the beginning of a busy 2013 for Langridge and he is adamant he could get used to climbing the top step of the podium – with his sights set on repeating the trick on his continental rivals next up.
"I'm absolutely made-up – it was a long, long three days, but I'm so pleased that I won two titles," said Langridge, whose only previous Nationals title came in 2011 alongside Nathan Robertson.
"I'm definitely hoping to continue the winning. For me, the first one I won was two years ago and I was so happy as I'd got to so many finals and not won it, but this year, to come back and win both is unbelievable.
"My plans are that we fly out to Russia for the European mixed Team Championships next and they start on February 12.
"Fingers crossed we get to the semis as if we do, we get Denmark, which will be difficult as they are the best in Europe and one of the best in the world. "Fingers crossed we get to the semis, but if everyone plays well, we could cause some upsets.
"The winning habit is something we're going to take into the Europeans. You learn how to win – when it's tight, you get too tense, and you can't win. You have to learn and we've done things like that. We've learnt that as a partnership." Having come through against Ellis and Lim in straight sets, Langridge and Mills were made to work for it against Adcock and Ellis after losing the first set 21-13.
But after winning the final two 21-16 and 22-20 to claim the win, Langridge admitted it wasn't just his partner Mills that he had to thank.
"I'm pleased my fitness held up," he added. "Thankfully, in the mixed doubles we sneaked the second set. If it had gone to a third set, who knows what would have happened?
"I was starting to feel really tired at the end, and I'm a little older than the other lads, so fatigue hits me harder.
"I have to say thanks to the physios here as they really patched me up, and at Milton Keynes as throughout the last year, I've had some injury problems, but I've got to say thanks to them. I'm struggling now, but I made it through."
The world's best players and London 2012 Olympians will be at the upcoming Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships.
For more information visit www.allenglandbadminton.com Reported by This is 3 hours ago.
LEATHERHEAD'S Chris Langridge admits he is hell bent on making winning a habit after claiming two titles at the English National Badminton Championships.
The 27-year-old headed to Manchester's National Cycling Centre bidding for a rare double as he went up against the great and good of English badminton in both the men's and mixed doubles events – his first appearance in the latter since 2009.
But despite this four-year absence and the fact that he and partner Heather Olver only joined forces in September, Langridge collected his first mixed doubles title with a 21-14, 24-22 victory over Marcus Ellis and Alyssa Lim in Sunday's final.
However, Langridge wasn't done there, returning to court with Peter Mills to avenge last year's men's doubles final defeat to Chris Adcock and Andy Ellis with a come-from-behind three sets victory against the same opponents.
The English Nationals marks the beginning of a busy 2013 for Langridge and he is adamant he could get used to climbing the top step of the podium – with his sights set on repeating the trick on his continental rivals next up.
"I'm absolutely made-up – it was a long, long three days, but I'm so pleased that I won two titles," said Langridge, whose only previous Nationals title came in 2011 alongside Nathan Robertson.
"I'm definitely hoping to continue the winning. For me, the first one I won was two years ago and I was so happy as I'd got to so many finals and not won it, but this year, to come back and win both is unbelievable.
"My plans are that we fly out to Russia for the European mixed Team Championships next and they start on February 12.
"Fingers crossed we get to the semis as if we do, we get Denmark, which will be difficult as they are the best in Europe and one of the best in the world. "Fingers crossed we get to the semis, but if everyone plays well, we could cause some upsets.
"The winning habit is something we're going to take into the Europeans. You learn how to win – when it's tight, you get too tense, and you can't win. You have to learn and we've done things like that. We've learnt that as a partnership." Having come through against Ellis and Lim in straight sets, Langridge and Mills were made to work for it against Adcock and Ellis after losing the first set 21-13.
But after winning the final two 21-16 and 22-20 to claim the win, Langridge admitted it wasn't just his partner Mills that he had to thank.
"I'm pleased my fitness held up," he added. "Thankfully, in the mixed doubles we sneaked the second set. If it had gone to a third set, who knows what would have happened?
"I was starting to feel really tired at the end, and I'm a little older than the other lads, so fatigue hits me harder.
"I have to say thanks to the physios here as they really patched me up, and at Milton Keynes as throughout the last year, I've had some injury problems, but I've got to say thanks to them. I'm struggling now, but I made it through."
The world's best players and London 2012 Olympians will be at the upcoming Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships.
For more information visit www.allenglandbadminton.com Reported by This is 3 hours ago.