Badminton World Championships: Adcock and Bankier progress
Last updated on .From the section Badminton
Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Badminton World Championships by claiming their second major scalp.
The British mixed-doubles pair beat 15th seeds Shintaro Ikeda and Reiko Shiota of Japan 17-21 21-15 21-16.
Their victory follows their impressive defeat of eighth seeds Songphon Anugritayawon and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul from Thailand.
"We performed very well today - we're delighted," Bankier told BBC Sport.
The pair found themselves behind early in the opening set and although they fought back from a 17-11 deficit, they could not overturn the Japanese pair's advantage.
The second and third sets were different stories though with Adcock, in particular, producing an energetic display to dispel fears he would be tired after competing in both men's and mixed doubles matches on Wednesday.
"We had nothing to lose and I think our reactions show how much we are enjoying it," said Adcock, who sank to his knees after victory.
"That this is what we live for, what we have dreamed of, so hopefully we can keep that momentum going."
The victory comes after what have been a difficult few months for British badminton.
The sport's governing body had their UK Sport funding cut at the end of 2010 and earlier this week 2004 Olympic silver medallist Nathan Robertson voiced his frustrations after his surprise first-round elimination with Jenny Wallwork.
"Everyone's going to be frustrated when they lose," Bankier told BBC Sport.
"We haven't let it detract from our own focus and I think it's really good for the sport as a whole that we've done well because despite some negative press we've got great support and a great set-up, so I'm not seeing any negatives at all."
Badminton England chief executive Adrian Christy added: "This is one of the youngest squads we have ever sent to a World Championships, our target was to reach the quarter-finals and today was about realising that ambition."
Adcock and Bankier will next face fourth seeds Tao Jiaming and Qing Tian from China after they defeated Polish duo Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Zieba.
