Thomas Kihlström

Thomas Kihlström
Personal information
CountrySweden
Born (1948-12-11) 11 December 1948 (age 75)
HandednessRight
Medal record
Men's badminton
Representing  Sweden
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1983 Copenhagen Mixed doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1977 Malmö Men's Singles
Bronze medal – third place 1977 Malmö Men's doubles
World Games
Gold medal – first place 1981 Santa Clara Mixed doubles
Silver medal – second place 1981 Santa Clara Men's doubles
World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1984 Jakarta Mixed doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1983 Kuala Lumpur Mixed doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Bandung-Jakarta Mixed doubles
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1982 Böblingen Men's doubles
Silver medal – second place 1974 Vienna Men's singles
Silver medal – second place 1978 Preston Men's singles
Silver medal – second place 1978 Preston Men's doubles
Silver medal – second place 1980 Groningen Men's doubles
Silver medal – second place 1984 Preston Mixed doubles
Silver medal – second place 1986 Uppsala Men's doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1976 Dublin Men's doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Uppsala Mixed doubles
European Mixed Team Championships
Silver medal – second place 1982 Böblingen Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 1974 Vienna Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 1976 Dublin Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 1978 Preston Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 1980 Groningen Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 1984 Preston Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Uppsala Mixed team

Thomas Kihlström (born 11 December 1948) is a former badminton player from Sweden known for his agility, tactical astuteness, and coolness under pressure. Though an impressive singles player early in his career, his greatest successes came in doubles. Kihlström is a fine doubles player with a superb technique and lovely touch. Partnering Stefan Karlsson, they have been one of the consistent pairs and making them as one of the great doubles pairs in the world in their era.[1]

Career

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Kihlström won the 1983 IBF World Championships in mixed doubles with Nora Perry.[2] He also won 16 medals at the European Championships, two of them in men's singles, two in mixed doubles, five in men's doubles and 7 in team competition. He shared two All-England men's doubles titles, one with Bengt Fröman in 1976 and the other with Stefan Karlsson in 1983. He also shared the All-England mixed doubles title with Nora Perry in 1983.[3] From 1973 to 1988 Kihlström captured a total of twenty-four events at the Swedish National Championships. Kihlström competed during an era in which world class badminton became increasingly event-specialized. His skill as an "all-arounder" is demonstrated by the facts that he is the only player to have won medals in all three events, men's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles at the BWF World Championships, and is the only man to have won each of these three events at the Japan Open.

Achievements

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World Championships

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Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result
1977 Malmö Isstadion, Malmö, Sweden Denmark Svend Pri 6–15, 6–15 Bronze Bronze

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1977 Malmö Isstadion, Malmö, Sweden Sweden Bengt Fröman Indonesia Tjun Tjun
Indonesia Johan Wahjudi
7–15, 11–15 Bronze Bronze

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1983 Brøndbyhallen, Copenhagen, Denmark England Nora Perry Denmark Steen Fladberg
Denmark Pia Nielsen
15–1, 15–11 Gold Gold

World Cup

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Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1983 Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia England Karen Chapman Indonesia Christian Hadinata
Indonesia Ivana Lie
15–12, 10–15, 4–15 Bronze Bronze
1984 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia England Nora Perry Indonesia Christian Hadinata
Indonesia Ivana Lie
15–18, 15–13, 15–8 Gold Gold
1986 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Sweden Christine Magnusson Denmark Steen Fladberg
England Gillian Clark
4–15, 15–8, 7–15 Bronze Bronze

World Games

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Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1981 San Jose Civic Auditorium, California, United States Sweden Stefan Karlsson China Sun Zhian
China Yao Ximing
15–12, 4–15, 6–15 Silver Silver

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1981 San Jose Civic Auditorium, California, United States England Gillian Gilks England Mike Tredgett
England Nora Perry
15–6, 18–14 Gold Gold

European Championships

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Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result
1974 Vienna, Austria Sweden Sture Johnsson 7–15, 8–15 Silver Silver
1978 Preston, England Denmark Flemming Delfs 15–10, 6–15, 12–15 Silver Silver

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1976 Dublin, Ireland Sweden Bengt Fröman Bronze Bronze
1978 Preston, England Sweden Bengt Fröman England Ray Stevens
England Mike Tredgett
6–15, 5–15 Silver Silver
1980 Groningen, Netherlands Sweden Bengt Fröman Sweden Claes Nordin
Sweden Stefan Karlsson
16–18, 15–9, 13–15 Silver Silver
1982 Böblingen, West Germany Sweden Stefan Karlsson England Mike Tredgett
England Martin Dew
15–9, 15–3 Gold Gold
1986 Uppsala, Sweden Sweden Stefan Karlsson Denmark Steen Fladberg
Denmark Jesper Helledie
12–15, 17–18 Silver Silver

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1984 Preston Guild Hall, Preston, England Sweden Maria Bengtsson England Martin Dew
England Gillian Gilks
5–15, 15–17 Silver Silver
1986 Uppsala, Sweden Sweden Maria Bengtsson England
England
Bronze Bronze

IBF World Grand Prix

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The World Badminton Grand Prix was sanctioned by the International Badminton Federation from 1983 to 2006.

Men's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
1983 Swedish Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson Denmark Steen Fladberg
Denmark Jesper Helledie
15–4, 13–15, 10–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1983 All England Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson England Martin Dew
England Mike Tredgett
15–10, 15–13 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1984 Chinese Taipei Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson Denmark Steen Fladberg
Denmark Jesper Helledie
15–3, 15–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1984 Japan Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson England Martin Dew
England Steve Baddeley
15–6, 15–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1984 Swedish Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson South Korea Kim Moon-soo
South Korea Park Joo-bong
8–15, 15–10, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1985 Swedish Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson China Di Qiqing
China Li Yongbo
12–15, 18–14, 15–18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
1983 Swedish Open England Nora Perry England Dipak Tailor
England Barbara Sutton
15–7, 15–1 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1983 All England Open England Nora Perry Denmark Steen Skovgaard
Denmark Anne Skovgaard
18–16, 11–15, 15–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1985 Swedish Open Sweden Maria Bengtsson South Korea Lee Deuk-choon
South Korea Chung Myung-hee
15–5, 11–15, 15–7 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1985 All England Open England Gillian Clark Scotland Billy Gilliland
England Nora Perry
10–15, 12–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1986 World Grand Prix Finals Sweden Christine Magnusson England Nigel Tier
England Gillian Gowers
15–8, 4–15, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up

International tournaments

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Men's singles

Year Tournament Opponent Score Result
1972 Norwegian International Norway Petter Thoresen 15–7, 15–4 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1973 USSR International Germany Wolfgang Bochow 10–15, 15–4, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1973 Norwegian International Denmark Elo Hansen 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1976 U.S. Open England Paul Whetnall 14–17, 10–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1977 Canada Open Denmark Flemming Delfs 15–12, 7–15, 10–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1977 Japan Open Denmark Flemming Delfs 9–15, 15–13, 15–10 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1978 Denmark Open Indonesia Liem Swie King 15–8, 9–15, 7–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1978 Canada Open Denmark Flemming Delfs 17–14, 11–15, 16–18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1980 Norwegian International Denmark Kenneth Larsen 15–0, 15–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1980 Victor Cup Denmark Flemming Delfs 15–7, 15–10 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1980 Nordic Championships Denmark Morten Frost 4–15, 7–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1981 Canada Open England Nick Yates 16–17, 12–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up

Men's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
1971 Norwegian International Sweden Kurt Johnsson Sweden Bengt Fröman
Sweden Sture Johnsson
15–12, 15–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1972 Norwegian International Sweden Bengt Fröman Denmark Klaus Kaagaard
Denmark Per Walsøe
14–18, 13–18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1973 USSR International Sweden Bengt Fröman Germany Wolfgang Bochow
Germany Roland Maywald
15–13, 15–10 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1973 Norwegian International Sweden Bengt Fröman Scotland Fraser Gow
Scotland Robert McCoig
1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1975 German Open Sweden Bengt Fröman England David Eddy
England Eddy Sutton
15–13, 15–5 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1975 Norwegian International Sweden Bengt Fröman Denmark Flemming Delfs
Denmark Elo Hansen
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1976 German Open Sweden Bengt Fröman England Ray Stevens
England Mike Tredgett
1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1976 All England Open Sweden Bengt Fröman Denmark Svend Pri
Denmark Steen Skovgaard
15–12, 17–15 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1976 U.S. Open Sweden Bengt Fröman Germany Willi Braun
Germany Roland Maywald
15–18, 12–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1977 German Open Sweden Bengt Fröman Denmark Gert Hansen
Denmark Steen Skovgaard
1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1977 Denmark Open Sweden Bengt Fröman Denmark Flemming Delfs
Denmark Steen Skovgaard
15–6, 15–8 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1977 Canada Open Sweden Bengt Fröman England Eddy Sutton
England Derek Talbot
16–17, 15–11, 15–10 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1978 Swedish Open Sweden Bengt Fröman Denmark Flemming Delfs
Denmark Steen Skovgaard
18–15, 9–15, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1978 Nordic Championships Sweden Bengt Fröman Denmark Flemming Delfs
Denmark Steen Skovgaard
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1978 Canada Open Sweden Bengt Fröman Denmark Flemming Delfs
Denmark Steen Skovgaard
9–15, 15–10 retired 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1979 English Masters Sweden Bengt Fröman England Ray Stevens
England Mike Tredgett
18–16, 15–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1979 Polish International Sweden Tor Sundberg Czech Republic Michal Malý
Czech Republic Juraj Lenart
15–3, 15–13 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1980 Swedish Open Sweden Bengt Fröman Indonesia Ade Chandra
Indonesia Christian Hadinata
5–15, 15–12, 9–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1980 English Masters Sweden Stefan Karlsson Indonesia Ade Chandra
Indonesia Christian Hadinata
12–15, 12–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1980 Norwegian International Sweden Lars Wengberg Denmark Peter Holm
Denmark Hans Olaf Birkholm
15–7, 15–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1980 Victor Cup Sweden Claes Nordin Denmark Flemming Delfs
Denmark Steen Skovgaard
15–5, 18–17 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1981 Copenhagen Cup Sweden Stefan Karlsson Indonesia Rudy Heryanto
Indonesia Kartono
15–10, 12–15, 17–15 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1981 Swedish Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson Indonesia Bobby Ertanto
Indonesia Hadibowo
15–6, 15–4 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1981 English Masters Sweden Stefan Karlsson England Martin Dew
England Mike Tredgett
9–15, 15–2, 10–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1981 Canada Open England Ray Stevens England Steve Baddeley
England Martin Dew
15–8, 15–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1981 India Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson Indonesia Rudy Heryanto
Indonesia Kartono
6–15, 15–8, 17–15 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1982 Swedish Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson Indonesia Christian Hadinata
Indonesia Lius Pongoh
11–15, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1982 Scandinavian Cup Sweden Stefan Karlsson Denmark Steen Fladberg
Denmark Steen Skovgaard
15–13, 13–15, 15–10 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1983 Chinese Taipei Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson Indonesia Bobby Ertanto
Indonesia Hadibowo
9–15, 11–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1983 Japan Open Sweden Stefan Karlsson Indonesia Rudy Heryanto
Malaysia Razif Sidek
18–14, 6–15, 15–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1983 English Masters Sweden Stefan Karlsson Indonesia Rudy Heryanto
Indonesia Kartono
12–15, 15–8, 15–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1984 Nordic Championships Sweden Stefan Karlsson Denmark Mark Christiansen
Denmark Michael Kjeldsen
15–11, 14–18, 18–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
1976 U.S. Open United States Pam Brady England David Eddy
England Susan Whetnall
6–15, 15–10, 12–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1981 Dutch Open England Gillian Gilks England Mike Tredgett
England Nora Perry
15–12, 15–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1981 Canada Open England Gillian Gilks England Ray Stevens
England Nora Perry
12–15, 15–6, 15–0 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1982 Denmark Open England Nora Perry England Martin Dew
England Gillian Gilks
15–11, 15–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1982 Victor Cup England Nora Perry England Martin Dew
England Gillian Gilks
9–15, 15–9, 15–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1982 Scandinavian Cup England Nora Perry Denmark Steen Fladberg
Denmark Pia Nielsen
18–15, 15–12 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1982 Nordic Championships Sweden Maria Bengtsson Denmark Steen Skovgaard
Denmark Hanne Adsbøl
6–15, 10–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1983 Japan Open England Nora Perry England Martin Dew
England Gillian Gilks
15–5, 15–2 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1985 Malaysia Master Sweden Christine Magnusson Denmark Steen Fladberg
England Nora Perry
9–15, 5–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
England Martin Dew
England Gillian Gilks
17–15, 15–12
Sweden Stefan Karlsson
Sweden Maria Bengtsson
15–10, 9–15, 10–15
1985 Nordic Championships Sweden Christine Magnusson Sweden Stefan Karlsson
Sweden Maria Bengtsson
9–15, 7–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up

References

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  1. ^ "Preview of World Championships: 10th-16th June 1985" (PDF). World Badminton. June 1985. p. 3. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  2. ^ Pat Davis, The Guinness Book of Badminton (Enfield, Middlesex, England: Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 1983) 111.
  3. ^ Davis, 107, 108.