And that’s the first time a player has won the men’s singles three years running since 10-times champion Darren Hall in 1991.
But pride of place went to Nottinghamshire’s Anthony Clark, who made it nine men’s doubles titles in a row – a record for consecutive wins.
Middlesex man Ouseph defeated Carl Baxter (Avon) 21-15 13-21 21-7 in a repeat of last year’s final and then said: “I’m really happy. Carl played really well in the middle of the match so I was pleased to come through it. Now I’ve got the Thomas Cup, the All England and the Europeans to look forward to.”
Baxter had to be disappointed after playing so well to deny second seed Andrew Smith (Hants) a place in the final last night but he admitted: “Raj played much quicker in the third and I didn’t cope with it.”
Jersey’s Elizabeth Cann scooped her fourth title after saving three game points against Helen Davies (Cheshire) on the way to a 23-21 21-15 triumph. “That made up for losing in last year’s final,” said the top seed who didn’t return to training till September after a car accident sidelined her for five months with back trouble.
Yorkshire’s Jenny Wallwork collected two titles in the doubles events. She and Nathan Robertson won their first National title together in beating three-times champion Anthony Clark and his new partner Heather Olver 21-15 21-11. It gave Robertson his fifth mixed title.
And Wallwork added to Olver’s disappointment when she and Gabby White defeated her and Avon’s Mariana Agathangelou, the Leeds pair winning 21-19 21-23 21-11 after a 62-minute battle.
But pride of place on finals day went to Clark, who won the men’s doubles title for the ninth time in a row, a record for consecutive wins. He and Robertson, winning his sixth title with Clark and his eighth overall, defeated Robert Blair and Chris Adcock 21-14 21-19 in a repeat of last year’s final.
Clark said: “When I was a young player of 16 I used to watch players like Simon Archer and Chris Hunt and dream about winning this title just once. I can’t believe I have had this success. I’ve had some great partners over the years.
“I always look upon the Nationals as the stepping stone to get the season started and now we have the All England in Birmingham next month and the Europeans here in Manchester in April to look forward to. I hope we can push on from here.”
FINAL RESULTS
Men's singles: (1) Rajiv Ouseph (Middx) bt (3) Carl Baxter (Avon) 21-15 13-21 21-7
Women's singles: (1) Elizabeth Cann (Jersey) bt (2) Helen Davies (Cheshire) 23-21 21-15
Men’s doubles: (1) Nathan Robertson & Anthony Clark (both Notts) bt (2) Robert Blair (Leics) & Chris Adcock (Notts) 21-14 21-19
Women’s doubles: (1) Jenny Wallwork & Gabby White (Yorks) bt (2) Mariana Agathangelou (Avon) & Heather Olver (Sussex) 21-19 21-23 21-11
Mixed doubles: (1) Nathan Robertson (Notts) & Jenny Wallwork (Yorks) bt (2) Anthony Clark (Notts) & Heather Olver (Sussex) 21-15 21-11
The English National Championships were staged in Manchester for the seventh year in a row and were made possible by the special partnership between BADMINTON England, Manchester City Council, racket and equipment company Carlton, Internet retailers www.sportdiscount.com and Imperial Consultants, with support from the Manchester Evening News.
The National Championships marked the first of two major badminton events taking place in Manchester in the next three months. From April 14-18 the M. E. N. Arena will host the Yonex European Badminton Championships.
Issued by BADMINTON England