Poul-Erik Nielsen (10 April 1931 – 14 January 2023)Tredobbelt dansk All England-vinder er død was a Danish badminton player. He was a doubles specialist winning three All England titles with partners Erland Kops, Finn Kobberø and Inge Birgit Hansen and reached five more finals. He has four National titles to his name and was capped 33 times by Denmark from 1954 to 1964. He was the elder brother of Knud Aage Nielsen another notable badminton player.
IBF Presidency and contributions After retiring from the sports, Poul-Erik worked in Danish Ministry of Taxation before returning to badminton with his administrative skills. Poul-Erik was a brilliant innovator with several breakthrough contributions towards badminton such as:
Created the Rules and Laws committee in 1976 which in turn, expanded the sports professionals' levels and enabled the players to gain more money from prizes and so on. Generated mediating ideas and factors onto the president and vice-president at that time, Stellan Mohlin and Craig Reedie during the separations of IBF and World Badminton Federation (WBF) in between 1976-1981 which eventually lead to the unification of both organizations in with the signing of the Deed of Renunciation on 26 May 1981 in Tokyo between the IBF and the World Badminton Federation. The unification promoted him as vice-president which he intensely campaigned the badminton for Olympics by hosting the 1983 IBF World Championships in Copenhagen and did it excellently to appeal the crowd and organizers. Promoted as the IBF Presidents from 1984 until 1986 where he received the Olympic flag when badminton is confirmed will be held in 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
After retiring from IBF duties, Poul-Erik back to Badminton Denmark as a chairman for Committee of Rights of Appeal, a committee to handle quarrels between the Association and clubs, or between clubs or between players and clubs until 1998.
Death On 14th January 2023, Poul-Erik died at 91 after battling short illnesses.
Achievements International tournaments (15 titles, 14 runners-up) Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result1964 Swedish Open Erland Kops 6–15, 14–17 Runner-up
Men's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result1956 All England John Nygaard Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 14–18, 5–15 Runner-up1956 Swedish Open John Nygaard Berndt Dahlberg Bertil Glans 14–17, 15–5, 11–15 Runner-up1956 Denmark Open John Nygaard Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 15–7, 8–15, 14–17 Runner-up1958 All England Erland Kops Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 15–7, 11–15, 15–8 Winner1958 Swedish Open Ole Mertz Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 12–15, 15–6, 15–13 Winner1959 German Open Jesper Sandvad Ingemar Eliasson Bertil Glans 15–13, 15–8 Winner1960 All England Finn Kobberø Lim Say Hup Teh Kew San 14–17, 15–3, 15–11 Winner1960 Swedish Open Finn Kobberø Berndt Dahlberg Bertil Glans 15–4, 15–4 Winner1961 All England Erland Kops Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 6–15, 3–15 Runner-up1962 German Open Erland Kops Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 7–15, 13–15 Runner-up1962 Nordic Championships Knud Aage Nielsen Bertil Glans Göran Wahlqvist 15–3, 14–17, 16–17 Runner-up1963 German Open Erland Kops Henning Borch Jørgen Mortensen 15–5, 15–3 Winner1963 Swedish Open Erland Kops Henning Borch Knud Aage Nielsen 11–15, 9–15 Runner-up1964 German Open Erland Kops Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 15–3, 15–6 Winner1964 All England Erland Kops Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 6–15, 3–15 Runner-up1964 Swedish Open Erland Kops Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 7–15, 14–17 Runner-up1966 German Open Per Walsøe Tony Jordan David Horton 15–4, 15–5 Winner1968 Swedish Open Per Walsøe Henning Borch Erland Kops 7–15, 11–15 Runner-up
Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result1956 Swedish Open Kirsten Thorndahl Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen Anni Hammergaard Hansen 15–4, 11–15, 10–15 Runner-up1959 German Open Agnete Friis Arne Rasmussen Aase Schiøtt Jacobsen 6–15, 15–13, 15–13 Winner1959 All England Inge Birgit Hansen Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen Kirsten Granlund 14–17, 15–7, 15–3 Winner1960 All England Inge Birgit Hansen Finn Kobberø Kirsten Granlund 7–15, 2–15 Runner-up1960 Swedish Open Bodil Sterner Berndt Dahlberg Ingrid Dahlberg 15–9, 15–12 Winner1962 All England Inge Birgit Hansen Finn Kobberø Ulla Rasmussen 1–15, 11–15 Runner-up1962 Nordic Championships Ulla Rasmussen Bertil Glans Gunilla Dahlström 15–10, 15–14 Winner1963 German Open Kirsten Granlund Ferry Sonneville Yvonne Theresia Sonneville 15–4, 17–14 Winner1963 Swedish Open Ulla Rasmussen Tony Jordan June Timperley 9–15, 15–3, 15–4 Winner1968 Nordic Championships Pernille Mølgaard Hansen Elo Hansen Karin Jørgensen 15–10, 7–15, 15–9 Winner
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