I think there is a couple of players who can win the OL, if think it could be funny to add a poll can you help me Kwun. But if not just write one of the following names in your post.

Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai, Xia Xuanze, Chen Hong, Taufik, Peter Gade, Lee Hyun Il, Wong Choong Hann, Shon Seung Mo, Ronald Susilo and Park Tae Sang, i think the others dont have a chance.

Well my own vote goes to (not surprised) Peter Gade. I think if he can gain a little bit more stamina he maybe cant be beaten. Because if he plays his best then no one not even Lin Dan can beat him, maybe he was beaten by Lin Dan in both England and Japan, but he lost his stamina both times, and thats the problem. Gade with more stamina could maybe be the old Gade.

remember that only 3 singles from china will participate. I dont think Ronald and Shon can win as they never have proven that they are up to it 100% when it really counts. My bet would be Xia(WC 03 and All England), Lin Dan(number1 and mentally strong), (Peter Gade WC 01 finalist, All England, Grand Prix finals 99 and 99 and 00 semifinalist in WC and the olympics), Wong(finalist WC03), Taufik(WC 01 semifinalist, perhaps finalist if it wouldn't have been for an injury) and perhaps Lee hyuin ill. All these shuttlers have proven that they are up to there best when it really counts, but players like Taufik and Gade still have to work with there mental strengh, however Gade has regained some calmness after his comeback. Xia and Lin are mentally strong and has the offensive play to reach a very high lvl at their best. Wong has the fighting spirit and as Lin and Xia the offensive play. Taufik and Gade perhaps are the most skilled players in the world right now, but both are still struggling to get their finally comeback, Peter due to his 1year injury, taufik due to lack of training and the indonesian badminton federation. it's exciting to see the condition of the players after the Thomas Cup, I think we will get a hint in Thomas Cup and Malaysia Open of who is gonna go for the gold and get it. my bet would be Gade, Lin Dan or Wong

basing on the past history, Gade never wins when it counts... (WC,OG)
Will it change this time??? I personally think this will be very difficult for him to overcome.
He might reach the semi-final or the final playing superbly, and then collapse at the most important moment as he always does!...

errr.... as usual.... my vote goes to Lin Dan :p :D

I think it will all depend on the draw. I would guess that Lin Dan, Chen Hong, Taufik, and Peter Gade would have better chance than others to reach semifinals, I'm not sure if Xia will qualify the Olympics considering his current ranking. The winner would be determined by who meet who.

I think whoever show superb performance in the Thomas Cup, they might not play at their peak performance in the Olympics, this is just my theory. I have a feeling that the Olympic winner is not the first or second seed, there is too much pressure for the seed players in the Olympic.

I'm not sure if Xia will qualify the Olympics considering his current ranking.

Xia is already Qulaified, what is uncure is Whether his national team (CHN) decide to send him or use one of the others.


Chen Hong-IMHO will Never win major tournament

Xia-Wont win, Think Used all mental reserves in WC, will retire at end of year

Wong-Wont win, can play very well for a few matches, but think cant quite make it till the end

Lee Hyun Il- Wont win, can beat the top players on his day, but not for whole week

Taufik-Maybe, you never know, but still doubts whether hecan do it when needed

Gade-Maybe, can beat the topmen consistently day after day, but not sure whether when he gets to the finals whether he can do it.

Lin-Probably, beats lesser players easy, keeping him fresh for later stages, and doesnt seem to be affected by nerves.

(All others IMO wont win)

So it's all down to the luck of the draw like 2003 All England Men's Final.

Chen Hong I think should be remembered for his consistency, remember how he wet thru furious rounds in AE 2001 and 2003 and only lost because he was exhausted.

Nowadays I think, people can read his moves like a book and be well ahead of him in a game.

I think he still cant realise what other players said, the power of the smash doesn't matter,its more the speed. accuracy, steepness and deception to elict a weak return.

I VOTE FOR LIN AND BAO!!! THEY ARE MY HEROES!!!:p

jamesd20 "Xia-Wont win, Think Used all mental reserves in WC, will retire at end of year"
Where did you get this info from? :confused: or is it your own opinion?

jamesd20 "Xia-Wont win, Think Used all mental reserves in WC, will retire at end of year"
Where did you get this info from? :confused: or is it your own opinion?
My opinion, Chen Jin will replace him at somepoint during next season.

Just the way he plays to me looks like he doesnt want it as much. Look forward to seeing him prove me wrong though, when he really wants it he is a joy to watch.

Xuanze is retiring??? :eek:
NOoooooooooooooooooo............... xuanze........ http://www.j37.com/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif

xuanze jia you xuanze jia you.....
but still muz take care of the injuries n don let them recurred....
hiaz... poor xuanze got injuries here n there.... hope it doesn't affect him n he can perform well in the coming tournaments :)

As said before the Chinese shuttlers become a lot of injuries in a young age due to their training program. At age 10 they sometimes train 3 times a day and a body will sooner or later be tired and weak and i guess thats the main reason in why shuttlers like Ji xinpeng, Sun Jun and Xia peaks at early age and retires in the mid20´s. I know Xia hasnt yet but it looks like he does just like the amazing Sun Jun who in his mid20's was totally burnt out. But China has lots of young players who can replace the "old" ones..

i'd stick my head out and go for taufik to win olympics. i totally admire his natural ability and style of play, and although he has gone thru a lot of problems, i believe he has what it takes to win, the question is to get himself in the right frame of mind.

I'd go for Taufik cos hes been simply amazing after coming back from a lot of problems, i mean i saw him live from the quater finals to the finals in the ABC championships in KL and i was like..whoa, hes finally "back".

However i'd also go for Gade cos I would want him to win the olympics cos i think hes finally on the road of becoming like the "old" Gade and i think he deserves it. Hes got what it takes to bring home the medal.

On the other hand..Lin Dan really is superman cos of his consistent play, plus hes been on the roll and is probably the fave to win the olympics. Lets just see whether he'll run out of gas first though..during the olympics of course.

The other person i would really like to root for is Wong Choong Hann. I believe that he can win the olympics and bring home the gold medal. I like his style, his play and just about everything about this man. The other reason why i would like him to win is that he may retire after the Athens Olympics. And if he does...where will Malaysia be without him? :( Of course there are young rising stars like Lee Chong Wei but still...T_T

Lin Dan and Taufik are my favorites.
But don't underestimate Sony Dwi Kuncoro. ;)

this is the first time i post in this forum, i think taufik will won the olympic, the hardest opponent for taufik just peter gade and Lin dan especially peter, he has a bad history when he met peter, but the most importance he must control his emotion if he can control it nobody can't defeat him

Taufik is perhabs the biggest talent in MS, but I dont think he will never be the best. He had a lot of problems with Indonesia and stuff, and I think that affected his game. Another example of great talent, who I think never will be as good as she could have been, is Mia Audina, she was already a professional at the age of 14, but her problem has always been pshysically, when she was playing against the best players, she could might win first, and then be close to win 2 and lose it all. There is no doubt about technic it is the best I think of all the WS players. So I think these 2 never will develope their great talent.

I think if Taufik decides he really wants to win the olympics, he will be just about unstoppable!! :cool:

Peter Gade will surely be in very good shape at the olympics but I still think he will tumble at the last moment... :rolleyes:

Wong CH and Lin Dan are my two other logical favourites, though they still need to prove they can win when it really counts...

There are of course many other players who have chances of winning, including Sony Dwi Kuncoro, or any of the Chinese who will participate.

The difference between all these players will be the quality of their preparation (in order to peak at the right moment), and their mental strength.

Overall, I would say Taufik has the most chances in my mind, but wait and see... ;):D

As said before the Chinese shuttlers become a lot of injuries in a young age due to their training program. At age 10 they sometimes train 3 times a day and a body will sooner or later be tired and weak and i guess thats the main reason in why shuttlers like Ji xinpeng, Sun Jun and Xia peaks at early age and retires in the mid20´s. I know Xia hasnt yet but it looks like he does just like the amazing Sun Jun who in his mid20's was totally burnt out. But China has lots of young players who can replace the "old" ones..
I'm not sure the Chinese get injured more than others?... I think the Danes get injured a lot too! (Rasmussen, Gade, Camilla...)

And same thing with all the countries, whether european or asian doesn't change anything...

I think Europeans peak later (and retire later) mainly because of their different style of play (and because of social background also).

this is the first time i post in this forum, i think taufik will won the olympic, the hardest opponent for taufik just peter gade and Lin dan

I disagree, the hardest opponent for Taufik is Taufik (with a little PBSI) :P

Taufik will probably meet seed after seed in the Olympics. Sometimes, there's just one too many seed for you to face, but if he finally wins, it would be glorious for him.

I disagree, the hardest opponent for Taufik is Taufik (with a little PBSI) :P

Totally agree with you Pecheur.
Now Taufik is on his way to maturity after he rejoin his former trainer Mulyono, almost arrive but not yet.
If Taufik has arrived at maturity. He will be very hard to beat.
The question is : how close is he to maturity. Does he has enough time for OL ?

Camilla hasn't got any serious injuries before her injury in AE Seven. You can't count her on your list and Gade and Rasmussen, especially Rasmussen has made a lot of the training as they do in China/Asia and that's perhaps why he is injured all time, like Sun Jun and Xia.

certainly Taufik had his highs and lows. his previous problems with PBSI and coaches leads to his poor performance in the past couple of years. however, they seemed to have resolved, or at least put aside, their differences. now taufik is back into training and is starting to show some results. there is not arguing that in Taufik has been one of the longest in the current circuit, most of the other top players from his early times have already retired, the other remaining being Xia and Gade. add to that his natural talent, if he trains properly and seriously, he will be a formiddable foe to the other players.

Camilla hasn't got any serious injuries before her injury in AE Seven. You can't count her on your list and Gade and Rasmussen, especially Rasmussen has made a lot of the training as they do in China/Asia and that's perhaps why he is injured all time, like Sun Jun and Xia.
I'm not trying to argue on these precise examples, I was just saying that injury is part of pros life (and non-pros too) whatever their country and nationality.

I think Europeans are often jealous of asian success in badminton and try to hide themselves behind false arguments, including this one about injuries.

I once heard a french national coach who said about the asian training "they use quantity, we use quality!" (approx translation), I think this is quite ridiculous when seeing the french (and european) results! :p

But with all the medical care and supposedly "quality" training they get, the french players are very often injured, and will even be missing a potential MD olympic qualification because of injuries...

Danes do have (and have had in the past) a lot of serious injuries too, so I think this argument against China is nonsense!

btw, I am European and from european origin. :D

IMO chinese players get injured less than they maybe should, as they train from very young, which gets your body used to it. If you do little hard training until you are 16, then turn pro, then you may get injuries, as your muscle simply arent that strong.


quality vs quantity IMO china probably get better quality coaching than french squad (No offence seven, You probably agree??)

Regarding Taufik, and his "experience" I define experience as Learning from what has happened to you in the past, and using this to your advantage.

I say that although taufik has had a past, he has not learned from it as well as he may do. In my view, he is still a maverick player, and still plays like a 17 year old taufik.

quality vs quantity IMO china probably get better quality coaching than french squad (No offence seven, You probably agree??)
I think I would be very biased if I didn't agree!! :D

And being from south of France, I am very rarely biased or "nationalistic" when regarding sports, except maybe when supporting Toulouse in rugby! :p
(but objectively, they are the best aren't they? ;) )

I don`t think Toulouse would fare very well in the Southern hemisphere`s super 12 -just my opinion:D

I don`t think Toulouse would fare very well in the Southern hemisphere`s super 12 -just my opinion:D
That's not so sure, european rugby has been quite superior to southern rugby recently in fact, and anyway Toulouse is only a professional club not a whole province, so you can't really compare... :rolleyes:
(hmm, I think this is getting off topic though :p )

It remains guessing of course, but....
let's try to make an educated guess... ;)

Who have a chance of winning Olympic Gold?

-----

Men Singles: Lin Dan, Peter Gade, Xia Xuanze, Chen Hong, Taufik, Sony, Wong Choong Hann

Ladies Singles: Zhang Ning, Mia Audina, Gong Ruina, Zhou Mi.

Men Doubles: Limpele/Hian and all other Indonesian pairs, Fu/Cai, Kim/Ha, Paaske/Rasmussen

Mixed: Kim/Ra Zhang/Gao

Ladies Doubles: Yang/Zhang Gao/Huang Ra/Lee

-----

Anyone you wish to remove/add to these lists?

Injury is a part of pros live, isn't it ?
The way we train can stimulate the injure.
If we train from young age, our body can 'accept' all the training, because our body has already got usual of it. i.e. from 8-10 year old.


The training system between Asia and Europe is not the same. Or I can say : "different". I mean in the big badminton countries

My club in Indo, we do physic training not in the gym, we do jogging on the beach, we do cross country, we do hiking, we swim.
To train our hand muscles, we do it in the swimming pool with a selfmade wooden racket, no string but plank, and do hit movements in the water.

For a beter and quick movement, we bind our ankles with 0.5 kg sandpack each. We wear a ballast jacket. We do training with squash racket.
All the training, we do it in the nature way/manner.

European use more modern tools, do the physic training mostly in the gym.
In my club here in Belgium, we wear no ballast jacket, sandpack. We don't train in the swimming pool or do hiking.

I think with these nature manner, player will get less injure.


FYI : I am Indonesian and live now in Belgium for more than 5 years.

It remains guessing of course, but....
let's try to make an educated guess... ;)
Who have a chance of winning Olympic Gold?

-----
Men Singles: Lin Dan, Peter Gade, Xia Xuanze, Chen Hong, Taufik, Sony, Wong Choong Hann
Ladies Singles: Zhang Ning, Mia Audina, Gong Ruina, Zhou Mi.
Men Doubles: Limpele/Hian and all other Indonesian pairs, Fu/Cai, Kim/Ha, Paaske/Rasmussen
Mixed: Kim/Ra Zhang/Gao
Ladies Doubles: Yang/Zhang Gao/Huang Ra/Lee
-----

Anyone you wish to remove/add to these lists?

MS : Top favorites : Taufik, Lin Dan and Peter.
Black horses : Xia, Sony and Wong CH
LS : Top favorites : Gong RN and Mia
Black horses : Zhang N, Zhou M and Camilla
MD : Top favorites : Indo's pairs and Kim/Ha
Black horses : Fu/Cai and Paaske/Rasmussen
LD : Top favorites : Gao/Huang and Ra/Lee
Black horse : Yang/Zhang
XD : Top favorite : Kim/Ra
Black horses : Zhang/Gao and Nova W/Vita M

For a beter and quick movement, we bind our ankles with 0.5 kg sandpack each. We wear a ballast jacket.

I understand how that can make your movement quicker, but how does it make it better (better=quicker??)

Anyone you wish to remove/add to these lists?
I would remove Xia from MS, remove Mia from WS, add Kim/Lee to XD

I would remove Xia from MS, remove Mia from WS, add Kim/Lee to XD

I wouldnt remove Mia, she is a big tournament player, and plays under pressure well. She has been improving her performances throughout the year, witness AE where she played well, but ran out of energy, then witness JO and EC, where she beat several top players in three sets.

I would put Kim/lee in for a medal in XD, but not for the gold.

agree with you on Xia though. he could do alright though. (QF/SF)

MS/MD/WD : agree with what has been said

WS : definately keep Mia in, she's the favourite IMO

XD : Widianto/Marissa can create an upset, and maybe Prapakamol/Thungthongkam too (I haven't seen their match at ABC)

Ah seems everyone pretty much agrees to the list of favorites.

I think everyone will recognize Mia is definately a title candidate. She's getting quite fit now, and is one of the favorites after winning the Japanese Open and getting two gold medals last week at the European Championships (the last match was her 26th match played within 3 weeks, and despite being tired she wiped the floor with Pi).

In the mixed doubles I don't believe anyone will create an upset when Kim and Ra are focused on their goal, unless something strange occurs (e.g. injury).

But..... you never know.... these are the olympics...

Chen Hong should definately be on the list too, not too long ago he was nearly invincible.

Does anyone remember what happened at the last olympics??

I dont think Hendrawan was really favored to win at all, maybe medal at best, but then ended up winning did he not?

Just goes to show, anything can happen :D

-Kelvin
PS: I'm cheering for Xia, because he's my current favorite player... based on style & flair LOL, if it came to skills, I'd cheer for Gade, Taufik, or Lin Dan... but you know what? so long as it's all tremendous badminton, and the pro's show the world especially viewers in north america what real badminton is, it wont matter to me who wins. :p

I agree with Kelvin on this one. It could be anybody's game. But like i said before i think it also depends if ur on form or if peak during that moment in time.

I'm going for the underdog Wong Choong Hann this time round though. :D But i wont be disappointed if he doesnt win it. Frankly, I hope the winner is an unexpected player who will surprise us with an upset in the finals of the olympics. :D

Does anyone remember what happened at the last olympics??

I dont think Hendrawan was really favored to win at all, maybe medal at best, but then ended up winning did he not?


Kelvin, here is the results of the last Olympics :

MS
Semi : Ji Xinpeng (CHN) beat Peter Gade (DEN) 15/9, 1/15, 15/9
Hendrawan (INA) beat Xia Xuanze (CHN) 15/12, 15/4
Final : Ji Xinpeng (CHN) beat Hendrawan (INA) 15/4, 15/13
Gold : Ji Xinpeng (CHN)
Silver : Hendrawan (INA)
Bronze : Xia Xuanze (CHN)

LS
Semi : Gong Zhichao (CHN) beat Ye Zhaoying (CHN) 11/8, 11/8
Camilla Martin (DEN) beat Dai Yun (CHN) 11/5, 11/0
Final : Gong Zhichao (CHN) beat Camilla Martin (DEN)
Gold : Gong Zhichao (CHN)
Silver : Camilla Martin (DEN)
Bronze : Ye Zhaoying (CHN)

MD
Semi : Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA) beat Ha Tae Kwon/Kim Dong
Moon (KOR) 15/13, 15/10
Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung (KOR) beat Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan
Wah (MAS) 15/12, 7/15, 15/4
Final : Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA) beat Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong
Sung (KOR) 15/10, 9/15, 15/7
Gold : Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA
Silver : Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung (KOR)
Bronze : Ha Tae Kwon/Kim Dong Moon (KOR)

WD
Semi : Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Qin Yiyuan/Gao Ling (CHN) 15/7, 15/12
Huang Nanyan/Yang Wei (CHN) beat Ra Kyung Min/Chung Jae Hee
(KOR) 15/6, 15/11
Final : Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN) beat Huang Nanyan/Yang Wei (CHN) 15/5, 15/5
Gold : Ge Fei/Gu Jun (CHN)
Silver : Huang Nanyan/Yang Wei (CHN)
Bronze : Qin Yiyuan/Gao Ling (CHN)

XD
Semi : Tri Kusharyanto/Minarti Timur (INA) beat Simon Archer/Joanne Goode
(GBR) 2/15, 17/15, 15/11
Zhang Jun/Gao Ling (CHN) beat Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (DEN)
10/15, 15/6, 17/16
Final : Zhang Jun/Gao Ling (CHN) beat Tri Kusharyanto/Minarti Timur (INA)
1/15, 15/13, 15/11
Gold : Zhang Jun/Gao Ling (CHN)
Silver : Tri Kusharyanto/Minarti Timur (INA)
Bronze : Simon Archer/Joanne Goode (GBR)

MS : Top favorites : Taufik, Lin Dan and Peter.
Black horses : Xia, Sony and Wong CH
LS : Top favorites : Gong RN and Mia
Black horses : Zhang N, Zhou M and Camilla
MD : Top favorites : Indo's pairs and Kim/Ha
Black horses : Fu/Cai and Paaske/Rasmussen
LD : Top favorites : Gao/Huang and Ra/Lee
Black horse : Yang/Zhang
XD : Top favorite : Kim/Ra
Black horses : Zhang/Gao and Nova W/Vita M

I'm more inclined to agree with jusmanto's prediction, but I would exchange Peter's place with Sony's and replace Wong's with Chen Hong for the MS.

For LS, Zhang Ning should be elevated to top favourites and Korea's recent ABC champ, Jun Jae Youn should replace Camilla as a dark horse.

Yang/Zhang should share the top favourite LD position.

I'm glad the top Indonesian XD pair, Widianto and Marissa had been included. They will be a force to reckon with when Kim and Ra retire.

Europeans versus Asians on Injuries

Have you noticed that the European players' retirement age is relatively older than the Asians'? What could be the reason for this, if Asia's training is purportedly of a higher quality? Then Asian players should last longer and have less injuries! Or is it that fierce competition in the more populous Asian countries like China and Indonesia forces the national players to retire earlier? Or is it that the European players generally start turning professional much later?

I once read in the papers that Taufik have BAD tournament records outside of Asia where he had won nothing, is it? So I guess he could be counted out.

.....
For LS, Zhang Ning should be elevated to top favourites and Korea's recent ABC champ, Jun Jae Youn should replace Camilla as a dark horse.

I agree to put Jun Jae Youn to top favotite, but I will not put Camilla a way from the dark horse. She always plays consistently in a big tournament.
And she is very motivated, because maybe this is her last chance to win OL.


.....
Yang/Zhang should share the top favourite LD position.

Sorry Loh.... I choose Ra/Lee rather than Yang Zhang.


.....
I'm glad the top Indonesian XD pair, Widianto and Marissa had been included. They will be a force to reckon with when Kim and Ra retire.

I will very happy if Noca/Vita can get through to Final.
Get through to semi is already greate for them. They are the future of Kim/Ra.


.....
Europeans versus Asians on Injuries

Have you noticed that the European players' retirement age is relatively older than the Asians'? What could be the reason for this, if Asia's training is purportedly of a higher quality? Then Asian players should last longer and have less injuries! Or is it that fierce competition in the more populous Asian countries like China and Indonesia forces the national players to retire earlier? Or is it that the European players generally start turning professional much later?

The European players' retirement age is relatively older than the China, but not Asians'.
Some of Asian player can play as long as european player.
i.e : Lee WW/Choong TH, Hendrawan, Marleve, Yong/Lee, etc..

European turn to pros in the same age as their compatriots from Asia.
But they are slow to the top. Asia players are quicker to the top.
i.e. : Rudy H, Yang Yang, Zhao Jian Hua, Lin Dan, Taufik, etc.
But there are also late starter : Han Jian, Joko, Wong CH, Hendrawan, etc.

"Fierce competition in the more populous Asian countries" is one of the reasons. But you must think also about the medical treatment in Europe and Asia countries as Indo and China.

To be the top badminton player, the competition between the young players are very tie. Especially in China and Indo. Because they have so many young players. In europe, there are not many badminton players as China and Indo.
So, the competition is not as tie as China and Indo.

If there come no young stars, the seniors play longer. It is logic, isn't it ? :D

I understand how that can make your movement quicker, but how does it make it better (better=quicker??)

Ofcouse it makes better.
When you can run with the speed of 60 km/hour with sandpacks round your ankles. Theorytically, you can run 70-80 km/hour without sandpack, right ?
But in the real world, it is not always happen.

I used this sandpack for foot-work training.
When we train with the sandpacks round my ankles, It feel very hard to step/run, because our feet are very heavy.
If you train with this sandpack for months or years, you become usual with this "heavy step".
When you put off the sandpacks, your steps are lighter than usual. It means that you can step, run and move faster on court.

Personally, I feel lighter after the training. :)
But now I am too old to train with this sandpack. ;)

I assumed you meant quicker=better (I agree), I was just asking in case it made the technique better in any way.

Have you noticed that the European players' retirement age is relatively older than the Asians'? What could be the reason for this, if Asia's training is purportedly of a higher quality? Then Asian players should last longer and have less injuries! Or is it that fierce competition in the more populous Asian countries like China and Indonesia forces the national players to retire earlier? Or is it that the European players generally start turning professional much later?
Europeans usually turn pro a lot later than most Asians, so I think globally their career is as long or maybe shorter... except for China, where competition is so high that there are always young players replacing the older ones, so their careers are shorter.

Many Asians have also retired for other reasons than injuries (often for studies, and also because they have already acheived what they could dream of) : Bang Soo Hyun or Tony Gunawan are amongst the most famous ones...

Europeans usually turn pro a lot later than most Asians, so I think globally their career is as long or maybe shorter... except for China, where competition is so high that there are always young players replacing the older ones, so their careers are shorter.

Many Asians have also retired for other reasons than injuries (often for studies, and also because they have already acheived what they could dream of) : Bang Soo Hyun or Tony Gunawan are amongst the most famous ones...

I have a different opinion with you Seven.
Not all the europeans turn to pro "a lot" later. But if you compare to Chinese players. Yes.
Chineses turn to pro "a lot" earlier.
But there are so many european players turn to pro as early as Asian players, but their performance run very slow, so they take more times to get to the top.
If I am not mistake, players like : Flamming Delft, Morten, Poul-Erik, Camilla, .... They turn to pro in the young age +/- 18-20 years.
But they need 5-6 years to get to the top. And they can play until their 30.
Meanwhile the young palyers behind them not yet ripe or can't get to the top to replace them.

well, by turning pro I meant mainly turning to full time training.

I think 18-20 is relatively late to turn to full time training, but in Europe I don't think any player will turn to full time training earlier than that (and often quite a bit later), because of the pressure of studies...

I agree with you they also take much longer to reach the top (and don't reach it often! :p)

I once read in the papers that Taufik have BAD tournament records outside of Asia where he had won nothing, is it? So I guess he could be counted out.
i think not that bad he has good record in All England beside that tournament that being held outside Asia above 3 star maybe only in england, denmark, and swiss so i think taufik still in the list

well, by turning pro I meant mainly turning to full time training.

I think 18-20 is relatively late to turn to full time training, but in Europe I don't think any player will turn to full time training earlier than that (and often quite a bit later), because of the pressure of studies...

I agree with you they also take much longer to reach the top (and don't reach it often! :p)

Seven, I think actually we have a same opinion.
The different is only the matter of "Later and Earlier".
According to you, 18-20 is "Late", but to me is "Early".

Agree with you. European players have to study and few of them full time in Badminton.
Almost all the Asian players give their time fully in Badminton. It means no study any more after finished high school. Later after their carrier, they will continue thier study. Look what happen to Ardy BW, Tony G, Wong CH.

Somebody told me that Ardy Wiranata still start his day training with a weighted vest while doing footwork exercise. He's over 30. Now that's dedication:)!

Ofcouse it makes better.
When you can run with the speed of 60 km/hour with sandpacks round your ankles. Theorytically, you can run 70-80 km/hour without sandpack, right ?
But in the real world, it is not always happen.

I used this sandpack for foot-work training.
When we train with the sandpacks round my ankles, It feel very hard to step/run, because our feet are very heavy.
If you train with this sandpack for months or years, you become usual with this "heavy step".
When you put off the sandpacks, your steps are lighter than usual. It means that you can step, run and move faster on court.

Personally, I feel lighter after the training. :)
But now I am too old to train with this sandpack. ;)

I understand how that can make your movement quicker, but how does it make it better (better=quicker??)

CMIIW, i think it because if you train to move fast using weight, when the weight comes off (i.e in a game), you'll automatically move faster than when you train. it will give you the advantage of speed. which mean you'll be playing a better game.

MS : Top favorites : Taufik, Lin Dan and Peter.
Black horses : Xia, Sony and Wong CH


i'd add bao chunlai in the list....

he's proven himself recently during the TC finals....and he is the only person to have beaten Lin dan in the past few months...

That doesn't count, Chunlai knows all Lin Dan's strength. Even Wong Choon Han loses to Hafiz & ex-Malaysian player Yong Hock Kin.

That doesn't count, Chunlai knows all Lin Dan's strength. Even Wong Choon Han loses to Hafiz & ex-Malaysian player Yong Hock Kin.

thats true...but what about the TC finals??? he lost the 1st set...won the second set quite narrowly ... and was trailing like 10-3 in the third set, but still won the game... that just shows how much he has improved....if this was the case a few months ago, bao would've just collapsed and would've probably lost in straight sets..

I do love watching Bao's play, but i think Lin has the biggest chance of winning, but.. we can never know what will happen...

i think now Lindan has the highest chance of winning.....

My gues is Lin Dan, (Dan is my nick name lol :D), Peter Gade, Chen, or Taufik...

In the order Lin Dan has the most chance and Taufik the less.

Hi... My first vote is LIN DAN. He's my favourite player. :)