Most of you have never seen their website before, but JustBad is badminton blog that is based in France (I think). They have posted an amazing badminton video on their website featuring Mihail Popov playing badminton with a little kid. While the badminton itself isn’t anything crazy, the video looks really cool. It looks like they had the camera on some sort of crane or something, and you might notice at the end how the camera goes over the net, and then under the net. Still can’t quite figure out how they did that. Anyway check out the video on JustBad.
The Thailand Open 2007 will begin starting next week with 3 of China’s top men’s players ready to dominate. Last year’s winner Chen Yu is back again at the tournament where he upset then world number 1 Lee Chong Wei en route to taking the title. He will have to watch out for Chen Jin and Chen Hong. So it looks like a battle of the Chen’s this year. Also not to be forgotten is hometown favourite, and fourth seed Boonsak Ponsana who recently won the Singapore Open Super Series event(where he beat Chen Yu actually). As usual we’re not too concerned (or interested) in the other events, especially since this isn’t a worlds or Super Series event. The men’s doubles is missing most of the top pairs, with Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah as the top ranked pair at this tournament. Here is a clip from the Singapore Open final where Boonsak Ponsana played Chen Yu. Enjoy!
I was sent a link to a really interesting story on thestar.com about something called “Blackminton” where they play Speedminton in black lights. Now, personally I find Speedminton to be an insult to the real badminton. It’s like they’ve re-packaged the whole “backyard badminton” thing in a new way. However, I found a video for Blackminton online that looks pretty cool. I’d like to see a match between Peter Gade and Lin Dan in a black lit badminton hall, THAT would be awesome. Perhaps the guys over at Badmintonsite.com can arrange something?? If anyone knows of a video of people playing real badminton in such a way let me know for sure. There was another video on YouTube about Blackminton as well that you might want to check out. Here is the video for your enjoyment! (The black light stuff is a couple minutes into the video)
Apparently Badminton World Federation Emperor, I mean Deputy President Datuk Punch Gunalan is in some more hot water over the release of a three year old letter where he was allegedly trying to convince the BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) President that Malaysia should bid on getting the BWF head office, and that Gunalan’s knowledge of the other bids would allow them to do so. Here is an excerpt from a story by Sportcal on the issue
“The allegations surfaced at a dramatic BWF annual general meeting held in Glasgow last weekend, when the organisation’s president, Kang Young Joong was handed a three-year-old letter apparently implicating Punch in using his position at the international federation to pass on to the Badminton Association of Malaysia confidential information relating to rival bids to attract the international federation’s headquarters.
In a surprise move, the letter, written by Punch and addressed to the BAM’s president, was read out publicly at the AGM by Joong. It included the allegedly incriminating statement: ‘Since I am able to get all the necessary information regarding the other bids, it is important that our bid is better than any of the others.’”
This definitely looks fishy to me. I have to say that I do agree with the majority of the changes that have been made to badminton in the past couple years, from the scoring system to the Super Series structure. However, the way that Gunalan has gone about it has allows wreaked of sneaky tactics. We’ll see what comes out of this, but I don’t think Gunalan is going to come out unscathed. I wonder if the suspension of the BWF Chief Operating Officer is connected to this in any way? I wonder what impact a potential inquiry will have on the Badminton World Federation’s leadership? Anyway, here is an interview with the man Gunalan himself from the World Badminton Championships in Madrid this past September.
Here is a clip of the final mens doubles match at the Sudirman Cup between Indonesia and China. China’s Cai and Fu beat Indonesia’s Wijaya and Kido in this match quite easily. Too bad for Indonesia that Tony Gunawan plays for the USA now. They sure could have used him this time around. It’s also too bad for Indonesia that they can’t compete on the womens side, although nobody can compete with China in the womens events.
For anyone that is interested here is a link to any Sudirman Cup videos on YouTube. So far there aren’t any videos up from the final, but there is a video up featuring Lee Chong Wei against Lin Dan where Lee Chong Wei upsets Lin Dan, but it’s a very short video. Also, stay tuned for coverage of the upcoming World Championships in Malaysia, we’ll do our best to keep you informed.
China defended their Sudirman Cup title by defeating Indonesia 3-0 in the finals. As predicted the Chinese women were far too strong for the Indonesians, and the mens doubles and mixed doubles were unable to come through for Indonesia. The tie started off with the mixed doubles, which was by far the closest of the three matches. Gao Ling and Zheng Bo defeated Flandy Limpele and Vita Marissa 19-21, 21-17, 21-19 in the match that all but eliminated Indonesia’s hopes. Next in the mens doubles Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng defeated Candra Wijaya and Markis Kido 21-11, 21-13. Finally Zhang Ning sealed the victory by defeating Firdasari Adriyanti 21-16, 21-9.
Full Sudirman Cup 2007 Results
China defeated Korea 3-0 today to earn their place in the Sudirman Cup Final. China has only lost one match this entire tournament when Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei defeated Lin Dan. Today Lin defeated Korea’s Shon Seung Mo, while Zhang Ning defeated Hwang Hye Youn, and Gao Ling and Zheng Bo defeated Han Sang Hoon and Lee Hyo Jung. In the final China will face Indonesia who narrowly defeated surprise semi-finalists England 3-2. For Indonesia to have any chance of winning tomorrow Taufik Hidayat must defeat Lin Dan, and whichever mens doubles pair they field must defeat Cai and Fu. Then it will come down to the mixed doubles which Indonesia could conceivably win, but there is almost no hope of Indonesia taking either of the womens events as China is just too strong.
Full Results
The Badminton Players’ Federation has posted some more instructional videos, this time featuring Niels Christian Kaldau. Niels demonstrates how to return a short serve in singles by adding a little bit of variety to your shots. Enjoy!
Group B of the Sudirman Cup proved to be incredibly close, but unfortunately for Europe’s strongest badminton nation, they will not move onto the Sudirman Cup finals after matches won are used to break the three way tie. Korea, Indonesia and Denmark each won two of their ties, but Denmark came third as Indonesia won 9 matches, Korea won 8 and Denmark only won 7. Had Denmark won all 5 of their matches against Hong Kong (as they probably should have) they would have gone on to the finals. Instead it will be Indonesia and Korea facing off against England and China respectively. China only lose one match in the preliminary rounds when Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei defeated Lin Dan 21-17, 21-17. A good sign for Lee Chong Wei with the World Championships coming up soon in Malaysia, but still not good enough for Malaysia.
Full Sudirman Cup 2007 Results
Peter Gade’s loss to Taufik Hidayat will provide incentive for a better World Championships
