20/08/04
A Kingston University graduate has carried off a silver medal in the Olympic badminton mixed doubles final. Gail Emms and her partner Nathan Robertson were beaten by Chinese pair Jun Zhang and Ling Gao in yesterday’s final.
Gail, who is now 27, graduated from Kingston with a sports science degree in 1998. As well as playing badminton, she represented the University at both netball and hockey. During her studies, she received University funding which helped her to compete in events around the world.
Gail and Nathan have become the first British badminton players to pick up a silver medal in the Olympic Games. They are no strangers to success having won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and last year climbing to the top of badminton’s world rankings.
University Director of Sport James Hayter said Gail was a shining example to Kingston’s other up-and-coming athletes. “To come home with a silver medal is a fantastic achievement – Gail is a credit to the British team. Her performances right through the Olympics were exceptional. It’s really satisfying to know that Kingston staff have played a part in her development from a promising young player into a world class senior player,†Mr Hayter said.
Two other Kingston graduates, men’s eight rower Phil Simmons and 100m freestyle swimmer Matt Kidd, have also been representing Great Britain in Athens. Gymnast Elizabeth Line, who arrives at Kingston next month to study history and sociology, has also been competing.
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