Athlete in Focus: Angus Pederson

Written and photographed by Matthew Endacott

A young badminton player and chemical engineering student from Bath University in the United Kingdom was informed of an opportunity to play in the Universiade games earlier this year. He considered it and ultimately agreed. Never having heard of these games, he researched and learned how big the Universiade really is.

His excitement began to mount for the upcoming event. He imagined all the best university athletes from around the world coming together to compete in Gwangju, South Korea. He met his fellow U.K. badminton teammates, and their talk of the games brought even more anticipation to this young man from London. The team received their gear and boarded their flight to South Korea. His name is Angus Pederson and he arrived in Korea ready to play.

Badminton competitions and conditions were fiercer than Pederson envisioned. Playing inside does not prevent the environment from affecting play. He said the draft from the air conditioners in these big arenas plays a huge role in a badminton match.

“The air-conditioner changes the direction of the birdie dramatically. In one section of the court, the wind will take it one way and then immediately the current will direct it another. It’s really difficult to anticipate because badminton is so fast that we don’t have time to do anything but react.”

Pederson then described the level of competition his team had to face. “It’s like playing tennis against Roger Federer. We can’t be mad, just happy to have the opportunity to play against the best.” He additionally said as difficult as it was to lose in such a big way, it was a great experience playing a globally-ranked top team.

He had nothing but praise for his participation in the Universiade: “It’s overwhelming. Unbelievable, [how] 11,000 athletes from around the world are packed into gigantic apartments together,” he said. “It’s astounding to have us all come together and be a part of it. When we were at the opening ceremonies with the stadium full of 45,000 to 50,000 spectators, it all hit me at once how big a deal these games are. It’s the biggest thing I’ve been a part of and probably ever will, and I am thankful to [have been] a part of it.”