The defending European champion in men's singles will not defend his title at the European Championships in Horsens as Anders Antonsen has withdrawn due to stomach problems, says Badminton Denmark in a press release.
"Anders has been feeling really bad for the last three days. He has been examined by both Team Denmark's doctor and at Skejby Hospital, who fortunately have not been able to find anything serious, but who have also established that Anders is in pain and suffering from nausea."
"It is of course really unfortunate - primarily for Anders, but of course also for Denmark's chances of winning a medal", says Badminton Denmark's sports director, Jens Meibom.
Antonsen was the top seed at the European Championships and Denmark's best chance of winning a medal after Viktor Axelsen withdrew with back problems.
"I had been looking forward to playing on home soil in front of the Danish crowd. I know that Badminton Denmark and the organizers have put a lot of energy into making it the best possible event for players and spectators, and that is why this cancellation hurts even more", says a disappointed Antonsen.
After Antonsen's widthdrawal, Rasmus Gemke is now Denmark's highest-ranked men's singles player. He is seeded sixth behind three Frenchmen.