Dane Preben Dabelsteen 91 – Passes Away

Announcement

Dane Preben Dabelsteen 91 – Passes Away

Two Times All England Champion, Preban Dabelsteen (DEN), passed away on 23 January 2017, at the age of 91.

Badminton’s rich history is made up of great personalities in the sport, and Preben Dabelsteen was one of those Danish players who excelled in the sport in an era where being the All England Champion was the main prize.

He also played at a time when Danes dominated the All England Championships in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. At the 1948 Championships, Danes – including Preban Dabelsteen – stood proudly on the podium as All England Champions in each of the five discipline – a clean sweep for Danish players.

In 1947, Preben Dabelsteen and his doubles partner Jørn Skaarup reached the finals but were defeated by compatriots Poul Holm and Tage Madsen.

In 1948 Preben Dabelsteen won the doubles title with Børge Frederiksen. It was a golden year for Danish badminton at the All England Championships with Danes taking out the titles – Jorn Skaarup won the men’s singles, Kirsten Thorndahl was women’s singles champion, Tonny Ahm and Kirsten Thorndahl women’s doubles champions, Jørn Skaarup and Kirsten Thordahl won the mixed doubles title.

Preben Dabelsteen backed up this championship win in 1948 with a different doubles partner, Jørn Skaarup, in 1950 – a doubles partner with whom he would win most of his career titles including numerous national titles.

All England Men’s Doubles Results

  • 1947 Tage Madsen/Poul Holm (Denmark)
  • 1948 Preben Dabelsteen/Børge Frederiksen (Denmark)
  • 1949 Ooi Teik Hock/Teoh Seng Khoon (Malaysia)
  • 1950 Jørn Skaarup/Preben Dabelsteen (Denmark)
  • 1951 David Ewe Choong/Eddy B. Choong (Malaysia)

 

Preben Dabelsteen was five-times men’s doubles Danish champion partnering with Jørn Skaarup, and played for the Danish national men’s team for the Thomas Cup. He played on the Danish national team until the mid-50’s but continued his passion, interest and love of the sport long after he finished his on-court appearances.

BWF wishes to acknowledge the passing of Preben Dabelsteen and to express its condolences to his family and to his friends in the Danish badminton community.