Anyone who feels inspired by the fast rallies at the YONEX German Open and wants to pick up a racket themselves can do so in the Westenergie Sports Hall. On the right-hand side of the concourse as seen from the entrance, the title sponsor has set up half a court between the YONEX clothing store and the KGM SUV. At the times announced by hall announcers Hartwig “Haddi” Thöne and Bernhard Schatz, the “YONEX Rapid Fire Challenge” will take place, in which the aim is to hit the ball back and forth as many times as possible in 30 seconds.
The playing partners are members of the German national badminton team, for example Franziska Volkmann and Malik Bourakkadi on Thursday. It is important that no mistakes are made. Whether it is better to hit harder and stand further apart or to take a more relaxed approach and keep the distance to your partner short is something everyone has to decide for themselves.
The player who scores the most hits in half a minute wins a YONEX backpack. In the first round on Thursday, the winner managed 35 ball contacts.