who will win Mixed doubles Gold ?

[kwun]

who will win Mixed doubles Gold ?

[timeless]

Kim Dong Moon & Ra Kyung Min... OF COURSE!!! ;) :D

Do any other pairs even come close?

[kwun]

imho, Kim/Lee have the potential, but i think they are holding back against the senior Kim/Ra.

KimYH isn't as powerful and penetrating at KimDM, but as fast, as good control and tricky as KimDM.

Lee just a tad bit below Ra at the net, but much more devasting rear and mid-court.

imho, this pair will go far.

[jamesd20]

imho, Kim/Lee have the potential, but i think they are holding back against the senior Kim/Ra.

KimYH isn't as powerful and penetrating at KimDM, but as fast, as good control and tricky as KimDM.

Lee just a tad bit below Ra at the net, but much more devasting rear and mid-court.

imho, this pair will go far.

Yep. I think they will be out of their shell, and dominating after the olympics. It will be difficult for lee to be as effective at the net as ra, as she is much bigger, but I think she is definitley one to watch for the future, as is Kim. he is very consistent, and thinks, like all good players.

[wilfredlgf]

My vote goes to their form as well as a fitting goodbye after their retirement. I'd say they deserve to win this one. Should it be a KOR vs KOR finals, I'd say perhaps the ParkJB would do a Li Yongbo. ;)

[New_Guy04]

did anyone see a pattern in the korean doubles stars??


first it was park joo bong

and kim dong moon appereared near park's retirement near the olympics

and now kim yong hyun appeared near kim's retirement near this year's olympics

And every time a star appears, he seems to be slightly weaker then the one b4.

Park was slightly more dominant than kdm, and kyh (currently) is slightly weaker than kdm.





also..... park.... lost the gold to kdm when park was the favorite to win the olympics.... according to the patterns....NO, IT CAN'T BE!!!

[*izzyC*]

also..... park.... lost the gold to kdm when park was the favorite to win the olympics.... according to the patterns....NO, IT CAN'T BE!!!

NO!!!! :( :( Don't scare me... That would not happen...That would not happen...That would not happen...That would not happen...

[Neil Nicholls]

If they're fit, Kim/Ra.

[ants]

Most likely 90% Kim/Ra will win it. If they don't it will be a disaster for them. 1st of all they lost their winning streak and it come at the WRONG TIME. Kim/Ra go for Gold!

[dlp]

Kim/Ra

Nathan /Gail are due to have a good run at a big event. They were poor at the worlds after Nathans injury. They should have won the commonwelath but blew it. Nathan has had great results in mens as well. Physically they are not up with the asian pairs but tactically they are very good.

[Loh]

I'm completely disappointed that you never gave the Indonesian pair of Widianto Nova and Marissa Vita a chance! :(

[kwun]

I'm completely disappointed that you never gave the Indonesian pair of Widianto Nova and Marissa Vita a chance! :(
your wish is my command...

[HoNgHoNg]

didn't watch much of XD.... but my vote goes to Gao ling / Zhang Jun....

[economet]

I've heard that if they meet Kim DM and Ra KM there will be a real fight, not like the finals match at the All England Championships.

Since the Olympic medal decides all in Korea (nothing else counts more) and they needn't take any consideration for each other we will see a match of a completely new quality. An Olympic gold would guarantee a lifelong pension and make famous whoever wins it.

Anyhow it will be interesting.

[silvia]

KIm and Ra most prob will win it................

[jaclyn]

who else...............
of course kim-ra :D

[Woven]

Most probably Kim/Ra, however id expect tough fight from Zhang/Gao or even Widianto/Marissa. Personally I'd like to see Widianto/Marissa win for a change

[abedeng]

Most probably Kim/Ra, however id expect tough fight from Zhang/Gao or even Widianto/Marissa. Personally I'd like to see Widianto/Marissa win for a change
Impossible, the Indons are not of the same std. Zhang/Gao could pose a serious challenge, though. But my heart's still on Kim/Ra.

[*izzyC*]

Impossible, the Indons are not of the same std. Zhang/Gao could pose a serious challenge, though. But my heart's still on Kim/Ra.
I agree the indons are still far behind but they did give kim/ra a hard time during the ABC...Can't say impossible...It's always Zhang/Gao vs Kim/Ra at the finals if they don't meet in the earlier rounds...However, i think the Thai pair, Sudket/(can't remember his partner's name) has shown great improvements lately and may be one of the strong contenders...

[New_Guy04]

kim/ra 99%. three reasons.

1. World's number 1

2. Hasn't been touched for a whole year.

3.) Most experienced top xd pairs.- this is their 3rd time playing in the olympics, plus they are both very calm players. No one will be able to match them this time.

[wilfredlgf]

Kim, the power monger from the back, hitting back the shots with strength and venom, titan of badminton doubles. Ra, the calm architect in front, rising up to catch the enemy unwary with her delightful control, her arms controlling her net domain jealously, goddess of the doubles game.

Please, win, Kim/Ra. For our sakes.:D

[flymordecai]

You put it so eloquently, wilfredlgf. :D

I think these are the favorites in this order:

1. Kim/Ra (The favorites, barring any injuries. They SHOULD win. Kim controls the back court. Ra owns the front. They're a deadly combination.)
GAP
2.Zhang/Gao (Second only to Kim/Ra. They've beaten Kim/Ra in their better days. Zhang is now old and slower, it seems. Gao is still her great ol' self. Hopefully she's recovered from her injury.)
3. Robertson/Emms (Robertson, controls the back well. Emms has improved a lot. Not so much of a liability, but more of a weapon.)
4. Widianto/Marissa (Widianto, I like this guy. Very powerful from the back. Marissa is great at the net.)
5. Sudket/Thungthangkom (Sudket, powerful player. Plays the front a lot, but that's a good strategy as they both look alike. Same hairstyle, height, and everything! Saralee is a great player.)
6. Chen/Zhao (:( Zhao is awesome, but poor results this year so far. Chen just needs to retire. :D Come on, Cai, play with Zhao!)
7. Kim/Lee (Haven't seen them play yet, but a poor man's Kim/Ra? Also, I put them at seven because I forgot about them. And I was too lazy to bump everyone after Zhang/Gao down a spot, which is funny because that would have been easier than explaining my reason for putting them at #7. Ok, I'm gonna shut up now.)

[Adel]

I'm relishing the possibility of Kim/Lee pulling off a stunner against Kim/Ra (don't hate me!).

For sentimental reasons, I hope Kim/Ra will win - Ra Kyung Min was a player I literally grew up with. When she started out on the international circuit at age 18, I was a stupid 12-year old struggling to get into middle school. Now that she's 28 and on the brink of retirement, I'm a (still stupid) 22-year old struggling to get out of school. And of course, there's the usual (and perfectly logical) argument that they're the best pair in the world now.

As for Kim/Lee, I think it's always nice to see the underdog pull off something big. And if they manage to defeat their seniors - which doesn't look 100 per cent likely - it will be HUGE.

Once again, DON'T hate me!

[Adel]

did anyone see a pattern in the korean doubles stars??


first it was park joo bong

and kim dong moon appereared near park's retirement near the olympics

and now kim yong hyun appeared near kim's retirement near this year's olympics

And every time a star appears, he seems to be slightly weaker then the one b4.

Park was slightly more dominant than kdm, and kyh (currently) is slightly weaker than kdm.





also..... park.... lost the gold to kdm when park was the favorite to win the olympics.... according to the patterns....NO, IT CAN'T BE!!!

Excellent observation, New Guy!

[nauknip]

I'm relishing the possibility of Kim/Lee pulling off a stunner against Kim/Ra (don't hate me!).

Once again, DON'T hate me!

:mad: I HATE YOU!!!!!!!!!!! *bish bish bish bish bish* Better not speak so soon and later find yourself drowning in smoke and beer. Tsk. :rolleyes: Kim/Ra will be very determined to win and possibly at all costs. To quote, "Candra/Tony won because they really wanted it" and I hope Kim/Ra will be blessed with the same luck. Yes, luck, because they have all the skill, which contributes 99%, and all they need is that 1% to prevent a repeat of the Sydney tragedy.

Anyway, their victories and defeats are not within our control and it doesn't make much sense to hate an uninvolved person. Just hoping that majority of us (I'm assuming, judging from the posts) will get our wish and will not have to wallow in depression again then. Since it all depends on the draw too, they might or might not even meet, though I hope they will when it matters. If there is any upset I wanna see, then I hope Kim/Lee will pull one off against Zhang/Gao. Not as big a shocker as defeating the almighty Kim/Ra and the possibility is actually there, but Zhang/Gao are hot favs behind Kim/Ra after all.

My turn to tell all Zhang/Gao fans not to hate me. :p

*keeps fingers crossed*

[iso300]

You put it so eloquently, wilfredlgf. :D
I think these are the favorites in this order:

1. Kim/Ra (The favorites, barring any injuries. They SHOULD win. Kim controls the back court. Ra owns the front. They're a deadly combination.)
GAP
2.Zhang/Gao (Second only to Kim/Ra. They've beaten Kim/Ra in their better days. Zhang is now old and slower, it seems. Gao is still her great ol' self. Hopefully she's recovered from her injury.)


It should be the usual final duel between Kim/Ra and Zhang/Gao.
While the Koreans are the favourites, I think the Chinese will win in 3 games.

Kim should be a bit tired by then if he progresses far enough with Ha in doubles. The Chinese pair seems to respond better to pressure.

That's my prediction...

It would certainly be nice to see Kim/Ra win the Gold.

[videoguy]

KIM/RA definately will win the GOLD MEDAL, and perhaps they will sacrifice the MD and WD to guarantee this GOLD. As to Zhang/Gao, they even will not be in the final at their present standards. Zhang/Gao must work very hard to make miracles happen again.

[jeicegreen]

KIM/RA definately will win the GOLD MEDAL, and perhaps they will sacrifice the MD and WD to guarantee this GOLD. As to Zhang/Gao, they even will not be in the final at their present standards. Zhang/Gao must work very hard to make miracles happen again.


Why do you think that Kim and Ra will sacrifice in MD and WD? :D :D
No.. If they must sacrifice MD and WD, they will decide not to play MD and WD in Olympics. And a number of games in Olympics is fewer. Gao ring must also play both WD and XD. Kim/Ra are very experienced players. Anyway they will not give up MD and WD absolutely. :)

[fishmilk]

Honestly, I think the koreans have got it in the bag this time around...next olympics things will be pretty different IMO but this time...koreans seem to still be going strong

[henrileconte]

Well, I have seen all the koreans and the british pairs play at this years Dutch Open. Everyone came out after a period of preparation and Kim/Ra only lost points when they more or less fell asleep. They won the final with 2 and 4 against the other Koreans. So if lightning doesn't strike them down on court, they will win it without any shade of a doubt. Or maybe in Athens it would be better to say, if the roof doesn't come down because of bad construction...

[~Tracy**]

Kim and Ra rock..!! i'm positive tat they'll win...all the best...