Toby ready to take on training partner Chris in National Badminton Championships

Former World number 45 Toby Honey is to play fellow training partner Chris Hotchen in the first round of the National Badminton Championships in the Manchester Velodrome.

The tournament, which begins tomorrow, will see some of the UK's finest badminton prospects battle it out for the title.

Honey, 25 from Filton, believes his prospects are good, and hopes to progress to at least the quater-final stage.

"I always get drawn against my fellow training partners and have yet to lose to any, but I know Chris well and he'll give me a good game."

After the disappointment of missing out on the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Honey decided to go into semi-retirement and dedicate his thoughts on his architecture degree in UWE, Bristol.

He said: "I felt I didn't get the support I needed from the Olympic Committee in qualifying for Beijing, and needed at least £20,000 just to get seeded."

He added: "But I've had great support from all at UWE who have helped me rediscover my form and love for the sport, I couldn't thank them enough."

Honey is now two years away from qualifying as an architect and spends his free hours training other gifted badminton hopefuls at the Frenchay campus.

"I enjoy passing on my skills, but hope to put use them to my own advantage, starting this week," he said.