Kuala Lumpur: Seeking to escape the harsh winter months and benefit from top-notch training facilities, Danish world No. 11 badminton player Anders Antonsen has chosen to base himself in Malaysia for his preparation for the upcoming BWF World Tour Finals. The 26-year-old had initially planned to travel to Melbourne, Australia, following the China Masters in Shenzhen. However, the allure of Malaysia’s warm weather and the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM)’s excellent training facilities proved irresistible.
Antonsen, who has trained at ABM several times in the past, is particularly drawn to the warm and sunny climate of Kuala Lumpur, a stark contrast to the frigid conditions back home in Denmark. “I want to avoid winter in Denmark,” he remarked. “It’s very challenging – cold, gray, and windy. The facilities here at ABM are great, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to train here for a few weeks.”
To accommodate the ABM’s early morning training sessions, Antonsen has had to adjust his routine slightly. “Most of the players here start training at 6:45 AM, so I’ve had to get into the habit of waking up early,” he admitted.
With his place secure in the World Tour Finals, Antonsen is now focused on preparing for the lucrative event, which offers a total prize pool of USD $2.5 million, the highest prize of all badminton tournaments worldwide. After the Finals, he will travel to Melbourne to continue his training ahead of the Malaysian Open, scheduled for January 9-14, 2024.
Despite his intense training schedule, Antonsen harbors a desire to explore Kuala Lumpur and rekindle his friendship with Malaysia’s world No. 10, Lee Zii Jia. “I’ve been to Kuala Lumpur several times, and I know some good cafés and coffee places that I’d like to revisit,” he shared. “Of course, training will take priority, but I’m excited to have a bit of downtime and explore the city.”
With his passion for badminton and his appreciation for Malaysia’s warm hospitality, Antonsen’s stay in Kuala Lumpur is sure to be an enriching and memorable experience.
