Former World champion Peter Rasmussen claimed another World crown, winning the Men’s Singles +40 title at the BWF World Senior Championships that concluded on Saturday in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Denmark’s Rasmussen (below), World champion in 1997, beat Austria’s Jurgen Koch 21-17 21-11 in the final.

Women’s Singles +70 World champion Renate Gabriel successfully defended her title. The German overcame the loss of the first game to England’s Barbara Gibson and pulled through comfortably in the end, 19-21 21-14 21-8. Gabriel had beaten compatriot Elvira Richter in the semi-finals, 21-8 21-9, while Gibson had fought off a strong challenge from Japan’s Satoko Nakamura, 25-23 21-18.

Germany also clinched the Men’s Singles +70 title, with Joachim Schimpke outplaying compatriot Gerd Pigola 24-22 21-12.

England and Malaysia won the other titles in the +70 age group category. Beryl Goodall/Kathleen Jenner (Women’s Doubles), Kenneth Tantum/Joanna Elson (Mixed Doubles) and Malaysia’s Ching Kon Kong/Loo Ah Hooi (Men’s Doubles) emerged triumphant.

Several former stars had a successful campaign. Apart from Rasmussen, two-time Men’s Doubles World champion Tony Gunawan (USA) claimed the +35 Men’s Doubles title with former Indonesian international Flandy Limpele.

Russia’s Stanislav Pukhov (featured image) beat Germany’s Thorsten Hukriede for the Men’s Singles +35 title, while the Women’s Singles in the same age category was won by England’s Rebecca Pantaney over Japan’s Mayumi Bando.

Former Indonesian international Hastomo Arbi emerged champion in the Men’s Singles +55 category, with a 21-11 21-13 result over Canada’s Jack Keith Priestman. Arbi’s compatriots Harijanto Arbi, Men’s Singles World champion in 1995, combined with Tri Kusharjanto to beat Peter Rasmussen/Thomas Stavngaard 21-19 21-17 for the Men’s Doubles +40 title.

The Netherlands had a successful final day, with Georgy Van Soerland-Trouerbach claiming the Women’s Singles +40 title over Denmark’s Pernille Strom, 21-10 21-10, and Rob Ridder/Marjan Ridder taking the Mixed Doubles +60 title over England’s Graham Holt/Ann Hurst, 21-13 21-10. Marjan Ridder also won the Women’s Doubles +60 title with Scotland’s Christine Black, beating England’s Marguerite Butt/Ann Hurst 21-16 21-8.

BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer praised the conduct of the tournament and the enthusiasm of the participants.

“This year more than a thousand athletes have competed here. Also, we allow persons of different nationalities to partner in doubles. Sometimes we can even see former rivals playing together! More than anything though, it’s the overwhelming atmosphere of camaraderie and fun – both on and off the courts – which makes this a superb tournament and I hope it will maintain this spirit as it continues to flourish as an important event on our calendar,” Høyer said.