Petra Schrott was considered one of Italy’s best badminton players.

South Tyrolean sport mourns the loss of an exceptional athlete

South Tyrolean sports mourns the loss of Petra Schrott from Merano, who died at the age of 53.

June 20, 2025

From: sportsnews

Sad news reaches South Tyrolean sports: Petra Schrott died on Tuesday – just six days before her 54th birthday. The Merano native succumbed to a short, serious illness. This news has hit the local badminton scene particularly hard, as Schrott was Italy's best player for years.

Between 1989 and 2004, Schrott won no fewer than 18 Italian badminton championship titles. In women's singles (6 titles) and mixed doubles (8 titles), she remains the most successful athlete in Italy's history. In 1992, Schrott also became Italy's first female badminton player to qualify for the Olympic Games in Barcelona, ​​but was subsequently excluded from the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) due to austerity measures.

So good that she played with the men

Schrott's playing skills were so strong that she faced little competition in the women's national division and, by decision of the Italian Badminton Federation, was allowed to compete in men's ranking tournaments. The SC Meran athlete also participated in several World and European Championships.

This week, Petra Schrott lost her battle with a serious illness. She leaves behind her partner. The Italian Badminton Federation has declared a minute's silence for the South Tyrolean at all tournaments and matches this weekend.