Angela Kelly talks to Bolton's triple Commonwealth Games badminton medallist Chris Hunt whose hopes of finishing his career going for a fourth Games medal in his home town have been dashed by injury

CHRIS Hunt will be watching the Commonwealth Games' badminton competition at the Bolton Arena this month with interest.

The fact that he is watching is a phenomenon in itself. For the former England badminton star spent 12 years of his life competing on the international scene before injury sidelined him permanently last year.

He is back in Bolton full-time now -- as opposed to living most of his life within a short drive of the National Badminton Centre at Milton Keynes.

Chris is working in the family printing business, and living in a luxury flat with his girlfriend Lisa who works for British Airways.

For the likeable six-footer who scarcely thought beyond a badminton court for years, life is good.

Just 12 months ago, his sporting career was on the line. A recurring shoulder injury had kept him out of the World Championships in Spain.

He was contemplating his future when a tour around the Bolton Arena reawakened the urge to finish his career on a high.

"Playing in the Commonwealth Games, in my home town. How could it finish better than that?" Chris asks.

"I really did want to go out in that way. But .... it wasn't meant to be."

The shoulder injury -- plus all the wear and tear on his joints over years of playing since he was a youngster -- decided it for him, although, he feels now that it was all for the best.

"I suppose I really didn't want to start all the training again, anyway," he grins, ruefully.

He is working hard alongside his father John and brother David at Prefs, off Bankfield Steet, Deane.

It is all a far cry from his privileged life as a top athlete, and certainly, his daily routine is a million miles from that of an England badminton player.

For 12 years, he not only trained and played six or seven hours a day on average, but travelled all over the world to compete.

He rubbed shoulders with prime ministers and ambassadors, was a guest of the mega-rich Sultan of Brunei -- and was chased by teenage fans through the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

In Malaysia, where badminton is the top sport, Chris could not walk down a street without being recognised and asked for his autograph, and fans would regularly write to him back in Britain.

But, in his home town, only badminton fans even knew his name.

During the '90s, though, Chris dominated the national men's doubles game, first with Andy Goode and then with Simon Archer.

They not only made the national title their own in a lengthy purple patch, but won titles all over the world. Chris was a double European and a triple Commonwealth Games' medallist.

He never forgot his roots -- that he started playing with his family (including his late mother Marian) in a Bolton church hall. Or that he has had the help for many years of personal coach Brian Roper back in his home town.

But it all started to go wrong when he went to the Sydney Olympics as a much-fancied England player, and spent most of his time on crutches. Then his shoulder became a problem, and the sports career fell apart.

Today, now 33, he is pragmatic. "I had a terrific time, a bit surreal, but it was great. I'm a very competitive person and I always wanted to win. When it got really tough, I loved it."

Now, Chris confines his competitive instincts to beating his mate, Commonwealth Games' swimmer Anthony Howard, at table football.

"I've got a table football in my flat and play all the time -- I'm definitely a champion at that!"

A naturally gifted athlete, Chris also plays tennis and squash and runs to keep fit, but is not sure whether he wants to play competitive badminton again.

He would like to coach youngsters, pass on his experience. He was an adviser on the setting up of the Commonwealth Games athletes' village, and plans to go and watch some of the matches at the Arena.

England's medal prospects lie, he believes, largely with Nottinghamshire's Nathan Robertson. "He is an excellent player, so gifted. I think he could take the men's title over the Malaysians."

As for Chris, his priorities in July, 2002, are a little different.

"We got this new machine in the works the other week," he enthuses. "It was very expensive, but it does amazing things ......"