Official Results
Dubbel gemengd (met Paula Eder uit Oostenrijk)
1e ronde: BEL / AUT vs Asya Toprak Vurgun & Yusuf Ocak (TUR) : 6-0 en 6-0.
1/2 finale : BEL / AUT vs Matteo Aniello & Giorgia Caroni (ITA) : 6-1 en 6-1
Finale : BEL / AUT vs Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar & Zeynepsu Yunlu : 6-2 en 7-5 (GOLD MEDAL)
Dubbel Heren (met Alan Bury uit Polen)
1e ronde: BEL / POL vs Lucas Darioli (SUI) & Niklas Engler (GER) : 6-2 en 6-2.
1/2 finale : BEL / POL vs Matteo Aniello & Remi Gagliardi (ITA) : 6-0 en 6-0
Finale : BEL / POL vs Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar & Yusuf Ocak : 7-5 en 6-2 (GOLD MEDAL)
Enkel
1e ronde: BEL vs Bye
2e ronde : BEL vs Jakub Doucha (CZE) : 6-1 en 6-3.
1/2 finale : BEL vs Matteo Aniello (ITA) : 6-0 en 6-0
Finale : BEL / AUT vs Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar : 2-6, 6-3 en 10-5 (GOLD MEDAL)
1e ronde: BEL / AUT vs Asya Toprak Vurgun & Yusuf Ocak (TUR) : 6-0 en 6-0.
1/2 finale : BEL / AUT vs Matteo Aniello & Giorgia Caroni (ITA) : 6-1 en 6-1
Finale : BEL / AUT vs Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar & Zeynepsu Yunlu : 6-2 en 7-5 (GOLD MEDAL)
Dubbel Heren (met Alan Bury uit Polen)
1e ronde: BEL / POL vs Lucas Darioli (SUI) & Niklas Engler (GER) : 6-2 en 6-2.
1/2 finale : BEL / POL vs Matteo Aniello & Remi Gagliardi (ITA) : 6-0 en 6-0
Finale : BEL / POL vs Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar & Yusuf Ocak : 7-5 en 6-2 (GOLD MEDAL)
Enkel
1e ronde: BEL vs Bye
2e ronde : BEL vs Jakub Doucha (CZE) : 6-1 en 6-3.
1/2 finale : BEL vs Matteo Aniello (ITA) : 6-0 en 6-0
Finale : BEL / AUT vs Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar : 2-6, 6-3 en 10-5 (GOLD MEDAL)
Report
The first *European Deaf Youth Games (EDYG)* in Hanover were an unforgettable experience for Emiel. From 18 to 23 August, around 500 young deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes from 24 European countries came together. For Emiel, tennis was the main focus, but the EDYG ultimately turned out to be much more than just competitions.
Emiel came to Hanover determined to perform as well as possible. In the end, he finished the competition with *three gold medals*: in the singles, the mixed doubles and the men’s doubles....
Emiel came to Hanover determined to perform as well as possible. In the end, he finished the competition with *three gold medals*: in the singles, the mixed doubles and the men’s doubles....
Men's Singles – gold medal 🥇
In the singles, Emiel progressed step by step through the tournament. In the quarter-final, he beat Jakub Doucha from the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-3. This was followed by a crucial semi-final against Matteo Aniello from Italy, which he won 6-0, 6-0. This secured his place in the final.
The final against Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar from Turkey was a completely different story. He lost the first set 2-6, but never lost faith in his chances. In the end, Emiel completely turned the match around and won the second set comfortably 6-3. In the decisive match tie-break, he ultimately made the difference and won 10-5.
That’s how I won my first gold medal in the singles after a thrilling and, above all, mentally gruelling final.
The final against Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar from Turkey was a completely different story. He lost the first set 2-6, but never lost faith in his chances. In the end, Emiel completely turned the match around and won the second set comfortably 6-3. In the decisive match tie-break, he ultimately made the difference and won 10-5.
That’s how I won my first gold medal in the singles after a thrilling and, above all, mentally gruelling final.
Men's Doubles – gold 🥇
In the men’s doubles, Emiel partnered Alan Bury from Poland. This turned out to be another strong tournament.
In the final match of his day’s finals, they faced Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar and Yusuf Ocak from Turkey. Despite the fatigue from the long day, he was able to give it his all one last time. They won the final 7-5, 6-2, securing their third gold medal.
In the final match of his day’s finals, they faced Muhammet Erkam Bayraktar and Yusuf Ocak from Turkey. Despite the fatigue from the long day, he was able to give it his all one last time. They won the final 7-5, 6-2, securing their third gold medal.
Three finals in a single day. Three golds.
UNFORGETTABLE...
That was a huge challenge, both physically and mentally, but also a moment of which Emiel is immensely proud.
Mixed doubles – gold 🥇
In the mixed doubles, he partnered Paula Eder from Austria. They formed an international pair and grew increasingly in sync throughout the tournament.
On the day of the finals, they were the first to take to the court for the mixed doubles final. They played a strong match and won 6-2, 7-5.
This secured the first gold medal of the final day. But there were still two more finals awaiting Emiel.
On the day of the finals, they were the first to take to the court for the mixed doubles final. They played a strong match and won 6-2, 7-5.
This secured the first gold medal of the final day. But there were still two more finals awaiting Emiel.
An exceptional finals day...
The day of the finals was both incredibly gruelling and incredibly rewarding. He had to play no fewer than three finals on the very same day.
First up was the mixed doubles final. This was followed by the singles final and, last but not least, the men’s doubles final.
After his victory in the mixed doubles, Emiel had to fully recharge his batteries for the singles final. As described above, this turned out to be a gruelling battle, which Emiel eventually won 2-6, 6-3 and 10-5 in the match tie-break.
Coach, staff and support
You can never achieve a performance like this on your own. My coach, Luc Clauwers, and my team leader – who is also my father – Roel Schippers, together with the entire Belgian support staff, have given me tremendous support throughout this week. During such an intensive competition, it’s not just the preparation for the matches that’s important, but also recovery, planning, mental support and maintaining focus. That guidance was particularly important on a day with three finals...
That is why Emiel would like to express his heartfelt thanks to his coach, the coaching staff, his family, the supporters and everyone who has supported him during this EDYG.
That is why Emiel would like to express his heartfelt thanks to his coach, the coaching staff, his family, the supporters and everyone who has supported him during this EDYG.
A week to remember
As we all look back on Hanover, pride and gratitude are the overriding feelings.
Winning three gold medals in three different disciplines, and on top of that winning three finals in a single day, is an achievement that Emiel will cherish forever. At the same time, he takes away a wealth of experience from this week that can only make him a stronger tennis player.
This EDYG gives Emiel extra motivation to keep working hard, to continue training and to pursue new goals.
Winning three gold medals in three different disciplines, and on top of that winning three finals in a single day, is an achievement that Emiel will cherish forever. At the same time, he takes away a wealth of experience from this week that can only make him a stronger tennis player.
This EDYG gives Emiel extra motivation to keep working hard, to continue training and to pursue new goals.
Veni, vidi, vici. 🇧🇪🥇🥇🥇*
A huge thank you to my coach, the staff, my family, my supporters and everyone who backed me.
*Hanover, thank you for this unforgettable experience.*
He is now looking ahead to his next goal: the World Championships in Frankfurt!
*Vamos! 🎾💪🇧🇪*
