Last Saturday and Sunday morning, I was at the Singapore Badminton Hall to watch the quarter- and semi- final proceedings. As usual the singles events drew more entries for the Nationals, there being no singles for the Masters.

The Nationals are restricted to Singapore Citizens only but the Masters (4 age group categories) are open to permanent residents as well. As such, participants in the Nationals come mainly from the schools, the national senior and juniors squad trainees, ex-national players and young working adults. But the gulf in standards between the professionals and the amateurs was apparent especially in singles. And the extra spark was somehow missing as many of the imported players were left out and the top singles players, Ronald Susilo and Li Li, decided not to play, although Ronald partnered Kendrick Lee in the men's doubles.

For the Nationals, the singles seedings were spot on with the number 1 and 2 seeds, Kendrick Lee meeting Gerald Ho in the men's final and Jiang Yanmei and Colleen Goh, in the women's final. Kendrick easily disposed of junior, Derek Wong in the SF, 15-2, 15-1, in the semi-finals but Gerald Ho had to stay longer in court to fend off recent Youth International U-19 runner-up, Chew Swee Hau 15-3, 15-13. I think it would be difficult for Gerald to upstage Kendrick in the final.

In the women's singles semi-finals, Jiang was clearly way ahead of the other girls and those who came her way were all given not more than one point and her semi-final opponent, 16-year old schoolgirl, Karen Yuen, received 0-11 and 1-11 in straight games. Another 16-year old schoolgirl, Colleen Goh, who will meet Jiang in the final, was simply too good for Sports School representative, Valerie Wang, who perhaps must be at least 2 years younger, and left her with no points. Colleen, last year's champion, had a scare in the quarter-final when she was stretched to three games by ex-national player, Quek Siao Yan, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7. Colleen will have to be at her best to even score 5 points from Jiang Yanmei in the final.

In the Men's Doubles, the seedings went awry and it ended up with 5/8* Chua Yong Joo (ex-national) & Desmond Tan meeting 3/4* Kendrick Lee & Ronald Susilo in the final. Chua & Desmond had a surprised easy win over 3/4* Johnathan Tang & Derek Wong 15-4, 15-3 in the SF, while Kendrick & Ronald overcame their first game 17-15 on Kevin Lim (ex-national) and Adrian Tay and win the second convincely 15-6. Unseeded Kevin and Adrian did exceedingly well to topple the no.2 seed, Chew Swee Hau & Muhd Azlin Bin Latib, 15-12, 15-13 whilst Chua & Desmond also shocked no.1 seed, Khoo Kian Eng & Koh Yan Sen 15-7, 15-6 in the QF. It will be an interesting men's doubles final, but the internationals, Kendrick and Ronald should have a decided edge over their rivals.

The Women's Doubles final, unfortunately, will not be as interesting, as the no.1 seed, Jiang Yanmei & Xiao Luxi (recently returned from China after a long absence), will be too strong for the younger and considerably less-experienced team of Kimberly Lau & Vanessa Neo, seeded 2. Jiang & Xiao had no opposition at all on their way to the final, whereas Kimberly and Vanessa met with stiff resistance during the SF against Colleen & Karen Yuen, whom they beat 15-12, 13-15, 15-11.

There were not many entries for the Mixed Doubles but the matches were more interesting. No.1 seed, Khoo Kian Teck & Quek Siao Yan justified their seeding by making the final. However, they only just made it, for they had to fight for 60 min against Tan Koon Meng & Shang Fumei, 10-15, 17-16, 15-12 in the SF. The latter pair had also to overcome a 3-gamer against Desmond Tan & Yong Jui Shan, 14-17, 15-9, 15-6 in the QF. In the QF, Khoo and Quek, too, had to fight very hard against Koh Yan Sen & Vanessa Neo, 10-15, 15-11, 17-16.

The finals will be played on Sat, 5 Feb, from 5 pm.

I thought I should round up the Cheers Badminton Nationals & Masters Championships 2005 which ended on 5 Feb.

In general, the finals were relatively disappointing, lacking in thrills and excitement with which one would come to be associated.

Many would have thought that the Men's Singles would be the highlight of the evening but, alas, it turned out to be a lame affair with Gerald Ho, the challenger, limping out while trailing in the second game 0-2 with an ankle sprain, his having lost the first 3-15 to the incumbent, Kendrick Lee.

The only sparkle came from the Men's Doubles when Kendrick and Ronald Susilo were extended to three games before winning 17-15, 6-15 and 15-9. Hopes were alive when their opponents, Chua Yong Joo and Desmond Tan, won the second game with surprising ease. But it soon occured that Ronald was actually easing off during the first two games just so that he would not injure himself. When the task demanded in the decider, he exploded with his powerful smashes to help seal victory for his teammate.

The Women's Singles match between the no.1 and no.2 seeds went according to plan. Jiang Yanmei easily disposed of last year's champ, school girl Colleen Goh, with scores of 11-4, 11-5. Colleen should not despair with the result as she was up against a full-time professional.

Again, the Women's Doubles revealed the experience of the Jiang Yanmei-Xiao Luxi partnership, although the latter has only recently returned from China after a long spell to recuperate from her injuries. Kimberly Lau and Vanessa Neo put up a gallant fight but skills and experience told in the end and they succumbed 7-15, 2-15 to their elder sisters.

Jiang continued her fine form in the Mixed Doubles when she and Chua Yong Joo overcame no.1 seed, Khoo Kian Teck and Quek Siao Yan, 15-9, 15-3.

So in the end, Jiang Yanmei was the most bemedalled player wining three golds. But I wonder whether she would be able to match Li Li in the singles. Li Li, together with 4 other teammates who are not yet citizens, competed in the Iran Fajr International 2005 to defend her singles crown successfully. And to top it off, Djohan Erwin won the Men's Singles and with teammate, Hendra Wijaya, he also captured the doubles title. However this is only a Grade A event.

The Masters, which comprised of 4 categories of men's doubles, also ended with no surprises. Again, many had come to watch the Age 35-44 final, but were hugely disappointed when a walkover was given by Wong Chin Leong and Zhang Qingwu, who were expected to win. It transpired that Zhang, ex-China singles player and former Singapore women's team coach, had to return to China for the Lunar New Year. Zhang displayed good form in his earlier rounds.

Thankfully, the Age 45-49 event provided some excitement as the veteran gladiators slogged it out in three consummate games. In the end Steven Oh and Victor Sim emerged victorious over Kamarudin Musa and Leman Sapi, 5-15, 15-9, 15-7. :)

Here are some pics for the record:

(Sorry had problems with my attachments) :mad:

Thanks Loh for the reports and pictures.

Are you able to try again to post the pictures of the National Finals ?

Hi Loh, exciting report on the cheers final. It would be better that you can try to attach the pictures that you have taken. I went to watch the final as well and the same feeling as you..not as thrilling as i thought! Now our spore team is going to head to Germany and England for their international competitions. Hope they can perform well especially ronald.:)

Hi Loh, exciting report on the cheers final. It would be better that you can try to attach the pictures that you have taken. I went to watch the final as well and the same feeling as you..not as thrilling as i thought! Now our spore team is going to head to Germany and England for their international competitions. Hope they can perform well especially ronald.:)

OK, Joyce and John, I'll try again to attach the pics.

Those pics are in the BC system as somehow when I posted the last time my post was taken over by an 'outside' party and got lost, but the pics I attached were already captured by BC. What I'll do now is to try and change the reference captions of those similar pics to try to 'bluff' the computer into thinking that they are not repeats. If I fail, I'll attach some other pics to compensate. :)

The Masters, which comprised of 4 categories of men's doubles, also ended with no surprises. Again, many had come to watch the Age 35-44 final, but were hugely disappointed when a walkover was given by Wong Chin Leong and Zhang Qingwu, who were expected to win. It transpired that Zhang, ex-China singles player and former Singapore women's team coach, had to return to China for the Lunar New Year. Zhang displayed good form in his earlier rounds.

I understand Zhang had to return to China because his mother fell ill. I was looking forward to the match. Its a pity he couldnt play. (btw dun think he was a singles player, believe he was an ex-China Thomas Cup doubles player).

hi Loh,

really thanks again for those attachments of the pictures. At least you managed to take these pics...esp those on the girls...as i too busy watching the games and don't have time to take the pic.

by the way, will like to wish our shuttlers all the best in the yonex german open coming ahead in March..ronald, yanmei and li li....JIA YOU!:)

I understand Zhang had to return to China because his mother fell ill. I was looking forward to the match. Its a pity he couldnt play. (btw dun think he was a singles player, believe he was an ex-China Thomas Cup doubles player).

Thanks Sealman for your info. I happened to take some pictures with Zhang Qingwu and his partner Wong in action during the SF and like to show them here. :)

Thanks Sealman for your info. I happened to take some pictures with Zhang Qingwu and his partner Wong in action during the SF and like to show them here. :)

*extreme* illegal serve, caught on pic. :D
(first photo)

*extreme* illegal serve, caught on pic. :D
(first photo)

Interesting observation! Could you give your reasons Mr Umpire. :D

*extreme* illegal serve, caught on pic. :D
(first photo)

i have to agree with cooler. that is way up the sternum.... no longer considered waist level.

8man

ps. cooler, what sharp eyes you have :D

I thought I read somewhere that waist level is technically defined by the third rib from the bottom, and more practically by where the elbow meets the torso, when the arm is relaxed and by the side of the body.

From the photo, it seems that the point where the shuttle is struck is still below the waist.

i have to agree with cooler. that is way up the sternum.... no longer considered waist level.

8man

ps. cooler, what sharp eyes you have :D

Well, if Wong moves his racket to hit the shuttle at that level, then the service is questionable. What if it is the other way round - Wong brings the shuttle down to his racket level before hitting?

As Taneepak and others have stressed in the post on "Doubles Serve", you need to stand close to the short service line, take advantage of your height or stance to shorten the distance between you and your opponent when serving low.

And this includes placing the shuttle as high as is permissible under the laws. And most of us agree that the highest waist level is at your lowest rib. It seems that Wong was holding his shuttle far too high, but if you try to feel where your lowest rib is, you'll be surprised that it is actually not low, but quite high, higher than one's navel!

So the picture did not tell everything. To be conclusive, we should see at which height Wong hits the shuttle. Wong was merely holding the shuttle in the pic. ;)

I thought I read somewhere that waist level is technically defined by the third rib from the bottom, and more practically by where the elbow meets the torso, when the arm is relaxed and by the side of the body.

From the photo, it seems that the point where the shuttle is struck is still below the waist.

lets ask Cheung to give us all his profesional opinion about anatomy, and whether the sternum is located higher than the third rib from the bottom.

but according to the picture in this link.........
http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/anatomy/HumanAnatomy/2Section/Top.html
my guess that the sternum is higher than the third bottom rib ------------> effectively making that serve look very illegal :rolleyes:

8man

I thought I read somewhere that waist level is technically defined by the third rib from the bottom, and more practically by where the elbow meets the torso, when the arm is relaxed and by the side of the body.

From the photo, it seems that the point where the shuttle is struck is still below the waist.

Hi Cheongsa

When are you returning? Have you completed your dissertation/thesis? Do you need to do a practical attachment for another few months thereafter? We're waiting for you although now we have had a little problem trying to retain the NUS SRC for our Sunday sessions. Recently, we've been playing at the Bt Gombak Sports Hall (just outside the MRT Station).

In the NUSS new building plans, a multipurpose hall was indicated but it will be built during the second phase, probably 3 to 4 years later. If we have our own courts, we need not have to bother with bookings.

Loh

your suggestion does hold water. and what you say is true -----> that the pic shows nothing conclusive as it is not at the point of impact.

HOWEVER, if this was the stock market, i would be pressing on the SELL button immediately. :D :D :D

conclusiveness can often be a luxury many can not afford (eh cooler ;) )

8man

Well, if Wong moves his racket to hit the shuttle at that level, then the service is questionable. What if it is the other way round - Wong brings the shuttle down to his racket level before hitting?

As Taneepak and others have stressed in the post on "Doubles Serve", you need to stand close to the short service line, take advantage of your height or stance to shorten the distance between you and your opponent when serving low.

And this includes placing the shuttle as high as is permissible under the laws. And most of us agree that the highest waist level is at your lowest rib. It seems that Wong was holding his shuttle far too high, but if you try to feel where your lowest rib is, you'll be surprised that it is actually not low, but quite high, higher than one's navel!

So the picture did not tell everything. To be conclusive, we should see at which height Wong hits the shuttle. Wong was merely holding the shuttle in the pic. ;)

Hi Cheongsa

When are you returning? Have you completed your dissertation/thesis? Do you need to do a practical attachment for another few months thereafter? We're waiting for you although now we have had a little problem trying to retain the NUS SRC for our Sunday sessions. Recently, we've been playing at the Bt Gombak Sports Hall (just outside the MRT Station).

In the NUSS new building plans, a multipurpose hall was indicated but it will be built during the second phase, probably 3 to 4 years later. If we have our own courts, we need not have to bother with bookings.

Hi Loh,

I am in the process of writing my thesis and applying for a postdoctoral position. It will probably be another two years before I am back in Singapore for good. I will be back this May to July though.

Where is the NUSS building going to be at? Is it still on the Kent Ride campus, or is it elsewhere?

Hi Loh,

I am in the process of writing my thesis and applying for a postdoctoral position. It will probably be another two years before I am back in Singapore for good. I will be back this May to July though.

Where is the NUSS building going to be at? Is it still on the Kent Ride campus, or is it elsewhere?

Please PM me when you return in May so that you can join us in our Sunday sessions.

Actually the NUS (Alumni) and the NUSS are doing the project together. There was a competition for the designs and the winning entries have been posted at NUSS Kent Ridge. I will take some pics for you to see. The NUS Alumni will also have their new clubhouse built adjacent to the NUSS at Kent Ridge. I think the Business School will also be located nearby to take advantage of the facilities.

From a rough review of the plans, again badminton will have to take a backseat to tennis, which will enjoy many courts in the open, on roof tops? We will be lucky to have badminton courts in the Multipurpose Hall, hopefully with a ceiling high enough for at least a good double game.

By the time you are permanently back, you'll be able to enjoy all the first phase facilities, I think. :)

I thought I read somewhere that waist level is technically defined by the third rib from the bottom, and more practically by where the elbow meets the torso, when the arm is relaxed and by the side of the body.

From the photo, it seems that the point where the shuttle is struck is still below the waist. isn't it normally considered as the highest point of your pelvis?
which is a bit lower than even the last rib i think

I would say where the guys racket is would be borderline, however, when he swings to hit the shuttle the racket his position may change. You couldnt say just from the still picture.


BTW I would say a definition is in between the bottom rib and the pelvis, as felt on the side of your body, however I think the waist is such a vague term it is open to interpretation.

isn't it normally considered as the highest point of your pelvis?
which is a bit lower than even the last rib i think

If that's the case then most of the club players here are serving faults all the time, and I am serving faults most of the time :o

If that's the case then most of the club players here are serving faults all the time, and I am serving faults most of the time :o
i think we just need to go watch a grand prix tournament, or look at some pics to be certain. i mean, your waist is where your trousers/skirt etc go around right?

i think we just need to go watch a grand prix tournament, or look at some pics to be certain. i mean, your waist is where your trousers/skirt etc go around right?

In the past, that was what I believe to be the case but not now. Most professionals will strike the shuttle higher than 'your' definition of waist level to maximize their advantage until they are 'faulted'.

The important thing to note on the serve is the point of contact of shuttle with the racket. The racket (the tip) may sometimes be held higher or lower than your version of the waist level, but it is where on the stringbed (normally at or near the sweet spot) the shuttle is struck that counts.

The important thing to note on the serve is the point of contact of shuttle with the racket. The racket (the tip) may sometimes be held higher or lower than your version of the waist level, but it is where on the stringbed (normally at or near the sweet spot) the shuttle is struck that counts.
yup i mean the point of contact, not where the highest/lowest bit of racquet is. mmmmm...it would be good if ibf did come up with a proper diagram showing where exactly is the maximum bit of the "waist"

Hi Loh,

Where is the NUSS building going to be at? Is it still on the Kent Ride campus, or is it elsewhere?

Our NUSS badminton group is still trying hard to secure some badminton courts at the new KRGH complex. Just last Saturday, during a NUSS-NUS games buffet, a few of us had a chance to sell the idea to the MC, which is now undecided yet whether to have a Multipurpose Hall (MPH).

The following are the 3 winning designs, 2 with the inclusion of a MPH:

Hi Loh,

Is this building going to sit where the old Kent Ridge hostel is? Or are they just using the name?

Why do they need so many tennis courts within the complex, when there are already a lot of tennis courts besides the SRC?

Hi Loh,

Is this building going to sit where the old Kent Ridge hostel is? Or are they just using the name?

Why do they need so many tennis courts within the complex, when there are already a lot of tennis courts besides the SRC?

The entire complex will be built around our present NUSS KRGH (National University of S'pore Society, Kent Ridge Guild House). The brand new Alumni House (which is a club for all graduates of NUS and affiliated institutions like its former name, University of S'pore) will be connected to our KRGH, which will also be expanded and upgraded. The NUSS MC (Management Committee) managed to obtain more space and extended its present lease for another 30 years from the NUS, on whose grounds it is currently sitting.

I think the whole idea of this integrated development is to enable NUS graduates to interact with NUSS members, many of whom are themselves NUS graduates. For info, NUSS accepts membership of graduates from other universities, both local and foreign.

Yes, we have also made the observation that there are many tennis courts but in only 2 of the 3 designs, the multi-purpose hall (MPH) was included which could hold 3 courts (You may not be able to see this in the attached pics). Our badminton team is making representation to the MC to ensure that we have at least 3 badminton courts in the MPH.

I have offered to arrange a visit by the NUSS Building Project Sub-Committee to visit a club that has badminton facilities to convince them of the necessity of having our own courts instead of booking outside courts as we are now doing.

I understand Zhang had to return to China because his mother fell ill. I was looking forward to the match. Its a pity he couldnt play. (btw dun think he was a singles player, believe he was an ex-China Thomas Cup doubles player).
He was a singles player, even winning GP Finals once.

He was a singles player, even winning GP Finals once.

Yes you're right! :)

I found out that Zhang Qingwu won the World Grand Prix Finals MS in Hong Kong in 1988 and Han Aiping won the WS. The Sidek brothers, Jalani and Razif won the MD.

A year earlier, also in HK, Xiong Guobao won the MS and Li Lingwei, the WS. Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi won the MD.