Danish badminton ace Finn Kobbero dies

Copenhagen, Jan 23: Finn Kobbero, one of badminton`s most successful players in the 1950s and 1960s,

has died, his family said today. He was 73. The Danish player died Wednesday. The cause of death was not announced. He won 15 titles at the All England Open Badminton Championships between 1955 and 1966. The quick and technical agile Dane won the championship six times in the men`s double with Joergen Hammergaard Hansen and once with Poul-Erik Nielsen. He grabbed the mixed double title eight times -- four wins each with Kirsten Thorndal and Ulla Strand. Kobbero reached three All England men`s singles finals, losing twice to fellow Dane Erland Kops and once to Eddy Chong of Malaysia. At home, he won the Danish championship 22 times, including four singles titles, nine in the men`s double and nine in the mixed doubles. In 1986, Kobbero was given the Badminton World Federation`s Distinguished Service Award, and was included in the Badminton`s Hall of Fame in 1987. His funeral was planned for tomorrow. Bureau Report