| Paul Whetnall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 19 February 1947 Birmingham,West Midlands, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 1 May 2014(2014-05-01) (aged 67) Dartford,Kent, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 1969-1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event | Men's singles & Mixed doubles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Paul E Whetnall (19 February 1947 – 1 May 2014)[1] was an Englishbadminton player who won national and international titles between 1968 and 1980.
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 ofSouth Africa,Scotland,Germany, and theUSA,[2] as well as his third and lastEnglish National singles title.[3] In 1970 Whetnall was a men's singles runner-up in the quadrennialBritish Commonwealth Games, losing a close final to Canada'sJamie Paulson.[4] Shortly after this, his tournament career suffered a2+1⁄2-year hiatus due to a badminton pro-tour venture which folded in 1973. Whetnall represented England inThomas Cup (men's international team) competition in the1969–1970 and1975–1976 campaigns.
He representedEngland and won asilver medal in the singles, at the1970 British Commonwealth Games inEdinburgh,Scotland.[5][6] Four years later he won a second silver medal (in the mixed doubles) at the1974 British Commonwealth Games,Christchurch, New Zealand.[7]
In 1968 he marriedSusan Pound Whetnall 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 forEngland national badminton team in several high profile tournaments such asCommonwealth Games andWorld Badminton Championships.[1] Paul is also an author where he co-wrote a book calledBadminton (Competitive Sports Spirit) with Trevor Leahy.[8]
On 1st of May 2024, Paul died at 67. He left behind his wife Susan and a son and a daughter, Andrew and Claire.[1]
Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Meadowbank Stadium,Edinburgh, Scotland | 15–10, 13–15, 10–15 | Silver |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Cowles Stadium,Christchurch, New Zealand | walkover | Silver |
Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Afan Lido,Port Talbot, Wales | 9–15, 2–15 | Bronze | |
| 1976 | Fitzwilliam Club,Dublin, Ireland | 9–15, 7–15 | Bronze |
Men's singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Scottish Open | 13–15, 15–9, 15–10 | ||
| 1974 | Scottish Open | 15–1, 15–6 | ||
| 1974 | Mexico International | 15–7, 5–15, 15–9 | ||
| 1975 | South African Championships | 15–12, 15–11 | ||
| 1975 | German Open | 10–15, 12–15 | ||
| 1976 | Scottish Open | 15–5, 5–15, 15–11 | ||
| 1976 | German Open | 17–14, 15–10 | ||
| 1976 | U.S. Open | 17–14, 15–10 | ||
| 1980 | Scottish Open | 15–6, 15–1 |
Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Scottish Open | 18–16, 13–15, 18–14 | |||
| 1974 | Mexico International | 11–15, 11–15 | |||
| 1975 | South African Championships | 15–9, 15–7 |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Dutch Open | 3–15, 4–15 | |||
| 1968 | Dutch Open | 15–13, 15–11 | |||
| 1970 | Belgian International | 15–4, 15–5 | |||
| 1970 | Scottish Open | 2–15, 15–11, 8–15 | |||
| 1970 | Canadian Open | 15–12, 5–15, 13–15 | |||
| 1970 | U.S. Open | 15–8, 15–2 | |||
| 1974 | Scottish Open | 15–4, 18–14 | |||
| 1974 | Mexico International | 11–15, 15–9, 15–4 | |||
| 1975 | South African Championships | 6–15, 15–10, 15–3 |