International end

Austria’s best female badminton player retires

Katharina Hochmeir is retiring from the international tournament scene.(Bild: GEPA)

It was only in April that Katharina Hochmeir from WAT Simmering won the doubles title at the Slovak Open with her partner Serena Au Yeong from Vorarlberg. Austria's best badminton player is now ending her international career and will only compete in the domestic league. "It's the right time for me," she reveals in an interview with the "Krone".

"I still enjoy it, that's definitely not the reason," Kathi Hochmeir tries to describe her emotional state. At just 25, the doubles specialist is ending her international badminton career.

Hochmeir continues to play in the domestic league for WAT Simmering.(Bild: WAT Simmering)

The reigning national champion reached 68th position in the world rankings with her Vorarlberg doubles partner Serena Au Yeong. The fact that she now only wants to compete for WAT Simmering in the domestic league led to a brief state of shock at the association. In the meantime, Au Yeong has found a new partner in Anna Hagspiel.

Kathi won the Slovak Open with Serena Au Yeong (left) in April.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The end of Kathi's mixed partner Philip Birker's career last fall accelerated a process that had already begun: "I thought about how I could go on. Reaching the Olympics is extremely difficult, especially in doubles." Which is why Hochmeir, who has competed at several World Championships, reached a European Championship round of 16 and won the Slovak Open in April, describes last year's European Games as one of her career highlights: "You really feel like you've achieved something special."

Kathi's mixed partner Philip Birker (right) ended his career in the fall.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"Overall," says the ever level-headed woman, who turns 26 in June, "it's the right time". She now wants to complete her event management studies and gain a foothold in the industry. As an athlete, she has gained enough experience at major events all over the world.