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Carsten Mogensen, one half of the successful Mogensen-Boe pair that won the silver medal at the London Olympics and World Championships apart from several other tournaments, opens up about his thoughts on the world game and his unique fitness regimen in a conversation with Dev S Sukumar, Sportskeeda:
Q: A runner-up position at the World Championships following the silver at the London Olympics, have you overcome the disappointment at not having won gold?
A: We were aiming for the gold, and we lost at the Olympics, but the conditions at the (Guangzhou) stadium were not to our advantage. Normally, we’re good while lifting and playing the whole court, so we had to play like (winners) Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan always do. They were good, but in a couple of weeks’ time we’ll be satisfied with the silver.
Q: What do you make of Ahsan and Hendra? They’ve been in great form this season.
A: They were good, but at all the three Superseries they won, there was a lot of drift in the stadium, so it’s a question of serve-return and very short rallies, so it will be interesting to play them at the All England or Denmark Open. Let’s see how it goes.
Q: And Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng? Do you think they’re finally on their way out?
A: I don’t know. We’ve said that many times now, but at big tournaments they’re always reaching the semi-finals. Many people talk about their quitting. I don’t know.
Q: Do you think their No.2 pair Liu Xiaolong/Qiu Zihan can replace them?
A: They’re okay at the moment, but to reach Cai/Fu’s level you have to be very good. All our players will have to get used to them, they’re playing a new style of badminton, and they’ll find it difficult, but they’re very good and we have respect for them.
Q: Talking of doubles, how difficult is it for Europeans in general? You see Asians dominating doubles, is it about tradition, or is there any fundamental issue with the way you play doubles?
A: Yeah, it’s difficult to say. In Denmark, we always have had good doubles players for many years. Me and Mathias are definitely one of the best pairs in the world. We’ve done very well. Of course, there’s a long way from us for the rest in Europe and in Denmark. But at the Indonesia Open, the Russian pair (Ivanov/Sozonov) was okay but they have to improve their level to win these tournaments. So it’s a long way for Europeans and Danish pairs, but luckily we have me and Mathias to perform well for Europe and Denmark.
Q: Tell us about your journey.
A: I started at five years of age. In Denmark, you know, the club structure is very good, so when you start, you get a teacher and get used to playing a lot of tournaments. I’m from Sealand, 20 minutes from Copenhagen. From when I was young, I won all tournaments I played in, and from 11, won the Danish championships every year, so my career was very good.
Q: Are you happy with the recognition in Denmark?
A: The recognition is okay. I’m not playing for that. Badminton is good to play, and I play it as my hobby. I don’t play it to get famous or anything. I want people to see badminton as a good sport. I don’t have to be recognised. When you do what we do, win all those medals and tournaments, of course you’re a big name in Denmark, so that’s part of playing badminton.
When I’m in Denmark, we can go out and eat dinner without everybody taking our signature. Of course, a lot of people in Denmark know us, but they’re relaxed about that, unless you’re a big big star. But they will leave all the normal stars alone, and we can have our own life.
Q: Your thoughts on the IBL?
A: IBL is very good actually, it’s a new kind of tournament, and this is what the sport needs. The sport needs more tournaments like this, where the prize money is good. Maybe it will get better and better each year. The way we’re playing and travelling is very good, and over a short period, and it’s better than if it was over six months.
This is good and from the beginning when they approached us, we supported this tournament. We enjoy playing team events as we’re used to that in Denmark. In Denmark, the tie is for six matches over six months, while here it is five matches.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: I enjoy sailing during the summer in Denmark. After hard practice, I go out into the sea, and relax and have fun. I enjoy that a lot.
Q: Science has become an inherent part of sport, do you work with anybody in particular to keep you abreast of the latest developments?
A: We practice together in the national team. We’re not staying at the centre like in China. So of course we have some good coaches. I have a good fitness trainer, Mats Mejdevic, he’s different. It’s like gymnastics. It works well for the body. I’m the only badminton player using him. Peter Gade was also using him.
In normal fitness, you use a lot of weights. But in this, you use only your body weight. There are all kinds of gymnastics exercises. You can see that normal gymnasts are very strong, so I think it’s good for us. We don’t use weights at all, only our own body weight. And of course we take care of the body so we don’t get injured. I don’t do running. We do fitness training on court, so that’s okay.
Q: Do you think China’s dominance in badminton is because of their expertise in certain areas? Is it about knowledge?
A: I don’t think so. They’re also human, they don’t have any other advantage. They just practice a lot. They have a career of four-five years. In Denmark we have long careers. I’ve had a career of 12 years, hopefully, it will go on for three-four more years.
Q: How has the game changed over the years?
A: It’s getting more physical, rallies are getting longer. It’s tougher to play badminton right now. Even five years ago, doubles players were also playing mixed doubles. Nobody does that any more.
