With the Denmark Open 2020 starting on Tuesday next week we take a look at one of the players who will play the tournament in not only one category, but two, the men’s doubles and men’s singles.
In this article, we get to know Toma Junior Popov, world number 62 in men’s singles and 80 in men’s doubles with his little brother, Christo Popov, a little better. He answers questions about how he started playing badminton, what he likes to do in his free time at tournaments and what he would be doing if he wasn’t playing badminton for a living.
As a professional badminton player, you use a lot of time in either the badminton or at the gym to improve all the time. Talking about what Popov likes to do when he has some time off, he says.
- When I am not in the badminton hall or at the gym I like to go out, take a walk, watch mangas, series, play videos games and spend time with close people.
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Living on the French Riviera
As badminton fans know, Toma Junior Popov plays the men’s doubles with his younger brother Christo Popov, 18. Together they have won the Bulgarian Open Championships 2018 and got a silver medal at the Italian International 2019. But would the big brother still choose to play with his little brother if he could choose any player as his new doubles partner?
- If I had no brother it would be Kevin Sukamuljo, but I prefer playing with my brother.
Toma Junior Popov is 22 at the moment, still having many years left on the badminton court. Talking about the future and where he hopes to be in 10 years, when he is 32, he says.
- Definitely in a badminton hall, living on the French Riviera and take time with my family after my long career.
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The triple gold
Most badminton players have a memory that stands out from the rest. Asking what Popov’s best badminton memory is so far, he states.
- My best memory is the triple gold medals at the European Junior Championships
In 2017, the European Junior Championships took place in Mulhouse, France, on the home court for the French players, with Popov managing to claim gold medals in men’s singles, men’s doubles and the team event.