Badminton: Brave Butler earns chance to make point
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.STEVE BUTLER has a point to prove today. England's most popular player, who lost his Olympic place after some controversial jockeying in the last week before the qualifying date, plays the Olympic champion, Allan Budi Kusuma, in the fourth round of the 7-Up world championships at the National Indoor Arena here, writes James Leigh from Birmingham.
This is his reward for an 11-7, 11-4 victory over South Korea's Lee Yong-sun, an excellent effort given that Butler only played here because his home county is hosting the biggest badminton tournament ever.
The Coventry man, who overcame a back complaint and fatigue to win, said: 'I suppose I do have a point to prove. Going to the Olympics should have been the highlight of my career. Instead, I was left gutted. If I beat the Olympic champion, it would make some people sit up and take notice.'
Two seeds, Lee Kwang-jin, of South Korea, and Pernille Nedergaard, the European champion from Denmark, were beaten.
'When is the next plane home?' Nedergaard said as she left the court after an 11-6, 11-8 defeat to Malaysia's Lee Wai- Leng. 'I'm leaving now to forget this. I played bullshit.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments