Continental champion, lawyer-to-be and coach… all in a day’s work!

A glance at Robert Summers’ daily calendar reveals a chock-a-block schedule for the South African badminton star. Studying, training, competing and coaching leaves very little free time. Yet there’s still more planned for the future.

Introduced to badminton by his mother at the age of four, Robert Summers was already a member of his local club as a seven-year-old, before shooting up the ranks as his obvious talent shone through. Fast forward 15 years, and Summers conquered the continent, standing tall atop the podium at the 2023 African Badminton Championships held in his own country, South Africa, winning the men’s doubles alongside partner Jarred Elliott and claiming bronze in the single’s competition.

His first FISU World University Games Summer in Chengdu

Summers was added to the South African student squad that participated at the FISU World Student Games in Chengdu last year, and although results did not go his way, the 22-year-old had only positives to take out from his experience in China.

“It was truly an honour and privilege to be able to represent my country at such a prestigious event that is deemed the second-biggest multi sporting event after the Olympics,” he says. “It was great to be competing against and alongside other athletes who were also studying. Our competition was actually really high with some players ranked in the world’s Top 50, so it was great to play against such high-level players and learn as much as I could from them, which also forced me to raise my game.”

A successful dual career

In his final year studying towards a law degree, balancing high-level badminton with such a challenging academic course is no easy feat for Robert. “Obviously it is extremely challenging because at a stage last year I was away for three months,” he says about his successful dual career. “But for me personally it always comes down to one thing: if you want to do something, you’ll find the time to do it.”

And time-management is crucial for the selfless star, who also gives up his precious hours to give back to his local community by coaching badminton at an academy he established alongside his mother. “To coach the youngsters really humbles me,” he admits. “I am a firm believer of ‘never forget where you come from or who helped you’. As a young boy growing up in isolated Kimberley and not having a qualified coach to train me, I only had my mom who helped me. So this makes it so much more important for me to help where I can and give these kids the opportunity I never had.”

Next year’s African Championships and the 2026 Commonwealth Games are upcoming targets for Summers – but that only fills up a small percentage of the future calendar.

“I plan on opening my own law firm one day and also studying another degree in sports science in the next year or two as sport is truly a passion of mine,” he says. “I would love to have the opportunity to play a part in other athletes’ careers in order for them to achieve their dreams.”

And continuing his student career comes with an added benefit.

“By studying another degree next year, I will then have the chance to compete at the next FISU World University Games in Germany!” he says.

See you next summer in Rhine-Ruhr, Robert!

Written by Fabio De Dominicis, pictures courtesy of Robert Summers