Badminton News: There is no age limit if you really love badminton and like to compete. So thinks Svetlana Zilberman, 65, from Israel, who does not plan to retire in the near future.
Svetlana Zilberman has been training a mixed doubles partner with her son Misha Zilberman since 2006 after failing to find him a partner.
During their 17-year partnership, they were consistently knocked out in the early rounds of World Tour tournaments and never won a title together.
Svetlana/Misha finally won their first World Tour match after beating world number 507 Canadian Daniel Zhou/Jackie Dent in the first round of the US Open last month.
Despite being eliminated in the first rounds and her age, Svetlana is not about to give up because Misha’s career has supported her.
“I love playing with my son,” Svetlana told the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“When we’re on the pitch, we fight to win but we also try to have fun.”
“My son’s career drives me forward. When he plays professionally, I have to help him warm up and practice. It also keeps me in shape. As long as Misha is active on the circuit, so will I be,” he added.
At last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, Svetlana became the oldest player to win the match when she and Misha defeated world number 65 Adham Hatem-Doha Hany in the first round.
Svetlana Zilberman believes that age will not be an obstacle to her active participation in sports.
“When people see me as a role model, I’m flattered, but it shows there’s no age limit if you really love badminton and competition,” says Svetlana.
Both men lasted one round before losing 11-21, 13-21 to world number 7 Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin in the second round at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark on Tuesday.
Article Tags: Svetlana Zilberma, Misha Zilberman, Israel, BWF
“Social media fanatic. Problem solver. Bacon ninja. Communicator. Alcohol evangelist.”
