Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Badminton Community Searches for Missing German Star Julianne Schenk
Julianne Schenk was a very successful badminton player from Germany.
She became famous for hitting the shuttlecock with great power.
Many players in Europe looked up to her.
Around 2013, she stopped appearing at badminton events after a disagreement with Germany’s badminton federation.
She later disappeared from contact with people in the sport.
Her old badminton bag and racquets are still at a training center in Germany.
Younger players such as Miranda Wilson and Kirsty Gilmour still say Schenk inspired them.
People in badminton hope to find her and honor her, but nobody quoted in the article knows where she is.
Julianne Schenk, once ranked world No. 2, disappeared from badminton around 2013 after a dispute with Germany’s federation.
German media reported in 2015 that Schenk had retired and planned to become a trainer, study at university, and write a book.
Former colleagues say Schenk left her kitbag and racquets at the Mülheim training academy and cut off contact with the sport.
Players including Miranda Wilson and Kirsty Gilmour continue to cite Schenk’s powerful, fearless style as an inspiration.
German badminton officials want to recognize Schenk in their Hall of Fame but say they cannot reach her.
- Who
- Julianne Schenk, former German world No. 2 badminton player; Miranda Wilson and other players who cite her as an inspiration.
- What
- Schenk disappeared from badminton and public contact after leaving the sport, while former colleagues and players continue trying to locate and honor her.
- When
- Schenk reportedly disappeared around 2013; German media reported her retirement in 2015.
- Where
- She was last associated with the German national training base in Mülheim; the search and renewed discussion occurred around the World Championships in Delhi.
- Why
- Reports and colleagues link her departure to a dispute with the German federation over coaching arrangements and event requirements, although her precise reasons for cutting contact remain unclear.
Schenk’s supporters and former colleagues
Federation-related account reported in the article
Coaching dispute
Schenk’s supporters and former colleagues
Bernd-Volker Brahms says Schenk wanted her own coaching staff and that the German federation refused, contributing to her departure.
Federation-related account reported in the article
The article provides no direct response from the German federation; it reports only that top players faced mandatory event participation and heavy fines for nonattendance.
Reason for leaving
Schenk’s supporters and former colleagues
Supporters describe Schenk as a pioneering player who was driven away from badminton after conflict with officialdom.
Federation-related account reported in the article
Earlier reports said Schenk could not continue and intended to become a trainer, study at university, and write a book; the article does not establish one definitive reason for her later disappearance.
- Former ranking
- Schenk reached world No. 2.
- Disappearance
- She reportedly cut off contact with badminton around 2013.
- Reported retirement
- German media reported in 2015 that she had retired.
- Last known sporting base
- Her kitbag and racquets reportedly remain at the academy in Mülheim.
- Inspiration
- Miranda Wilson and Kirsty Gilmour have credited Schenk as an influence.
- Recognition
- The Club der Deutschen Meister wants to consider Schenk for its Hall of Fame but cannot contact her.
- World Championships history
- The article describes a 2009 Hyderabad near-miss and also refers to Schenk’s bronze at the 2011 London World Championships.