S'pore Open -M'sia's next generation players

[block306]

Just watched the 1st round match in the S'pore open. had a couple of observations of M'sia's so-called next generation of players under Rashid under Project whatever.

If these are what M'sia is banking on for glory in the next era, then she should be very, very worry. I am not sure if the coach or the players are the problem, but I must agree with the observation of Li Mao on the group- they definitely lack speed and power. And I must add attitude and determination. I could not readily see talents among them (unlike LCW & Taufik (OK-he is NOT M'sian) who are oozing with talents even when they first burst into the scene).
The only standout, if at all, is one guy- Beryno Wong. He reminds me a little of LCW when he came inot the scene.

[abedeng]

I concur, the so-called Malaysian Project players are not picking up steam quickly enough. At this point the Chinese would already be winning honours in World Juniors and some will break to the top team, like Chen Jin.

The girls are a bit better, though I fail to understand why not many of the girls are participating in SG Open.

[jasonmarc]

I concur, the so-called Malaysian Project players are not picking up steam quickly enough. At this point the Chinese would already be winning honours in World Juniors and some will break to the top team, like Chen Jin.

The girls are a bit better, though I fail to understand why not many of the girls are participating in SG Open.

Agree, the youngster are very slow approaching the international arena, players like Yeoh Kay Bin are still at old....stage, no impact from them....
wonder what went wrong........:confused: :o

[taufik-ist]

rexy is not coaching rashid's players ?

[**KZ**]

yeoh kay bin was once world junior championship runner-up rite?

[xijiayu]

Yes, i am very worry too. Non of them won the matches against non Msian players. Msia will have deep trouble in future if they don't improved. LCW and MHH can only play for another 4-5 years. KBH is still struggling to beat Vietnamese or Indian players.

[jug8man]

Dear Block306,

Thank you for mentioning my buddy. He still has to catch up with the rest of the world but as Yap Kim Hock has said, our players should peak a little later than the rest (China / Indonesia) as they can only focus on badminton after high school.

Lets hope this focus is not lost.

Cheers!

The Borneon BaddyNut

[hcyong]

Traditionally, Malaysia don't have strength in depth (talking about singles only). The emergence of a rare talent like Lee Chong Wei took a long time coming. If another LCW comes to replace every LCW that fades away, then it would be a blessing.

Out of so many players under Rashid, how many will graduate to the senior? Not many, as Malaysia does not have a big team. What I hope for is only for one or two of those youngsters to reach the level of Wong CH or Hafiz. That's all. Beyond that, we have to rely again on players who are coming up next.

So of course, if you take a general look at all the junior players, the impression would be that they are mediocre.

[X Ball]

Traditionally, Malaysia don't have strength in depth (talking about singles only). The emergence of a rare talent like Lee Chong Wei took a long time coming. If another LCW comes to replace every LCW that fades away, then it would be a blessing.

Out of so many players under Rashid, how many will graduate to the senior? Not many, as Malaysia does not have a big team. What I hope for is only for one or two of those youngsters to reach the level of Wong CH or Hafiz. That's all. Beyond that, we have to rely again on players who are coming up next.

So of course, if you take a general look at all the junior players, the impression would be that they are mediocre.

I like to think different --- coz I noticed over the years, Malaysians do mature to become good players : there were Ong Beng Teong, Rashid, Misbun, Foo Kok Keong, Punch Gunalan, Hafiz, Roslin, Lee Tsuen Seng, LCW,and many others.

The next batch will be KBH (hey, he is still learning ok) and even tho the Rashid 2010 project team of youngsters are not ready, they will shine one day. LCW and Hafiz will still be around and so when they are gone, the new players will step up. So what is the worry man ?

[taufik-ist]

The next batch will be KBH (hey, he is still learning ok) and even tho the Rashid 2010 project team of youngsters are not ready, they will shine one day. LCW and Hafiz will still be around and so when they are gone, the new players will step up. So what is the worry man ?

but KBH is 22 yo, learning is too late for him :D

[hara^kazuko]

but KBH is 22 yo, learning is too late for him :D

If he tried hard n exposed to small tournaments n slowly larger ones as much as possible, he may succeed even in only one or two years..

[taufik-ist]

If he tried hard n exposed to small tournaments n slowly larger ones as much as possible, he may succeed even in only one or two years..

if not mistaken, kbh is one year younger than lcw

[hara^kazuko]

if not mistaken, kbh is one year younger than lcw

well, you can suceeed even you are in your late age.. Actually it all depends on kuan beng hong himself to determine whether he'll be a world class player...

[taufik-ist]

well, you can suceeed even you are in your late age.. Actually it all depends on kuan beng hong himself to determine whether he'll be a world class player...

he must learn form hendrawan, from loser to winner :D

hendrawan almost kickedout from cipayung becos he was 24 yo and never won any title, after becoming a hero in thomascup 1998, he continued to play better and better and the best his result are
wc 2001 gold medal , olympic 2000 silver medal

[pauline]

well, you can suceeed even you are in your late age.. Actually it all depends on kuan beng hong himself to determine whether he'll be a world class player...
totally agree.....as long as KBH doesn't give up and has the will to succeed, it's not yet too late for him..

[hara^kazuko]

he must learn form hendrawan, from loser to winner :D

hendrawan almost kickedout from cipayung becos he was 24 yo and never won any title, after becoming a hero in thomascup 1998, he continued to play better and better and the best his result are
wc 2001 gold medal , olympic 2000 silver medal

I hope kuan beng hong will follow hendrawan's steps then...

[elwin81]

totally agree.....as long as KBH doesn't give up and has the will to succeed, it's not yet too late for him..

yes, see PG and KJ.
Still very strong at their age.

[EastDevil]

I notice the men's doubles match between CTF and CCM and another younger-looking malaysian pair. It reminds me of Lord of the Rings... I felt like its humans versus hobbits. The other pair were like hobbits! In fact, many of the malaysian doybles pair are like hobbits; really small size like school boys with moustache.

[hara^kazuko]

I notice the men's doubles match between CTF and CCM and another younger-looking malaysian pair. It reminds me of Lord of the Rings... I felt like its humans versus hobbits. The other pair were like hobbits! In fact, many of the malaysian doybles pair are like hobbits; really small size like school boys with moustache.

If they are hobbits and schoolboys, then I would be the smallest human in history

[EastDevil]

If they are hobbits and schoolboys, then I would be the smallest human in history

No, I'm serious. I saw some pretty smaller size malaysian doubles players. I notice CTF and LWW were smashing at them like crazy.

[erin_hakkinen]

I notice the men's doubles match between CTF and CCM and another younger-looking malaysian pair. It reminds me of Lord of the Rings... I felt like its humans versus hobbits. The other pair were like hobbits! In fact, many of the malaysian doybles pair are like hobbits; really small size like school boys with moustache.
Haa..?? did u mean they played as a pair :confused::confused::confused:

Edit: Oh..u meant CTF & LWW..lol!

[hara^kazuko]

No, I'm serious. I saw some pretty smaller size malaysian doubles players. I notice CTF and LWW were smashing at them like crazy.


Poor guys... I was imaging that they are invisible because they had the same height with the net

[yannie]

I guess he meant CTF and LWW too...

Versus who?

[EastDevil]

I guess he meant CTF and LWW too...

Versus who?

No, CTF and LWW look so much bigger size than his opponents. Their opponents were [MAS] (http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/players.aspx?id=11066&c=MAS)Ying Jin GOH (http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/player.aspx?id=11066&player=132)http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/images/flags/MAS.gif[MAS] (http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/players.aspx?id=11066&c=MAS)Mohd Razif ABDUL RAHMAN (http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/player.aspx?id=11066&player=133)

[yannie]

No, CTF and LWW look so much bigger size than his opponents.

No, I mean who did they play against? Which Malaysian players look that small?

[hara^kazuko]

they cant be below 160 cm... izzit that a so giant-n-dwarf match?

[yannie]

No, CTF and LWW look so much bigger size than his opponents. Their opponents were [MAS] (http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/players.aspx?id=11066&c=MAS)Ying Jin GOH (http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/player.aspx?id=11066&player=132)http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/images/flags/MAS.gif[MAS] (http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/players.aspx?id=11066&c=MAS)Mohd Razif ABDUL RAHMAN (http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/player.aspx?id=11066&player=133)

LOL!!!
Erin, now I know who EastDevil means... it's our Haktano and partner. :eek:

[chibe_K]

BAM has one accomplishment over the last 10 years, moving the IBF headquarter to KL. One of the reasons Mal lacks major titles is because of Punch Gunalan. Punch did such a good job of promoting the sports, as a result, other countries are picking up the pace and getting stronger and better each year. At the same time, Mal is still resting on old schools. So my point is Mal players are improving (LCW, WCH, ..etc) but other countries are catching up faster especially Denmark and China....in short, Mal is good, but not as good as others.

[Inky2000]

It seems that there's still hope ...

(The Star, Jun 8)

An unforgettable day for young Mohd Ariff despite defeat


SINGAPORE: Court number one at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and five-star Aviva Open Singapore badminton championships will long be remembered by talented Malaysian youngster Mohd Ariff Latiff.

The 17-year-old Bukit Jalil Sports School student from Seremban lost his first round match 15-21, 12-21 but there was no shame in his defeat. After all he was up against former world number one and current world number three Peter Gade-Christensen and the tournament's top seed.

And fittingly he received accolades from the Dane who said: “Malaysia have a very young player who is talented and can go far in his badminton career”.

“He wants to try and give everything he has. I was pushed into speed. It was a sometime before I could settle against him. I see him as a very good player with lot of variations. If he can get the power and speed at the back it will do his game good.”

Gade-Christensen was not alone in praising Ariff. Even the crowd at the stadium cheered him on when the Malaysian led 2-0 and then 5-3 until it was 8-8. Even then Ariff caught the Dane on the wrong foot on several occasions with some deceptive drop shots until the score stood at 15-14.

It was Christensen's experience that finally told as he took the game at 21-15. In the second it was the young Malaysian who dictated play but came unstuck at 10-9 and his inexperience cost him the set and match at 21-12 in
the 30 minutes that he was court.

Ariff himself was thrilled at having got a chance to play against a world great.

“It is a chance I will never forget. To me it was a great opportunity to take the court against a world famous player like Peter. Many would have frozen at the prospect of having to meet a player of his standing but was I was not afraid.

“I took the court without fear and just went out and gave my best. I could follow his play. Of course I lacked the experience of playing a five-star tournament. I lost but I came off richer in experience,” said Ariff who has comes from a family of five brothers and five sisters – four of whom, including himself, are in the BAM squads at various age groups.
Mohd ArIn the recent Sukma in Kedah, Ariff was a semi-finalists in the boys' individual events.

[erin_hakkinen]

It seems that there's still hope ...

(The Star, Jun 8)

An unforgettable day for young Mohd Ariff despite defeat


SINGAPORE: Court number one at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and five-star Aviva Open Singapore badminton championships will long be remembered by talented Malaysian youngster Mohd Ariff Latiff.

The 17-year-old Bukit Jalil Sports School student from Seremban lost his first round match 15-21, 12-21 but there was no shame in his defeat. After all he was up against former world number one and current world number three Peter Gade-Christensen and the tournament's top seed.

And fittingly he received accolades from the Dane who said: “Malaysia have a very young player who is talented and can go far in his badminton career”.

“He wants to try and give everything he has. I was pushed into speed. It was a sometime before I could settle against him. I see him as a very good player with lot of variations. If he can get the power and speed at the back it will do his game good.”

Gade-Christensen was not alone in praising Ariff. Even the crowd at the stadium cheered him on when the Malaysian led 2-0 and then 5-3 until it was 8-8. Even then Ariff caught the Dane on the wrong foot on several occasions with some deceptive drop shots until the score stood at 15-14.

It was Christensen's experience that finally told as he took the game at 21-15. In the second it was the young Malaysian who dictated play but came unstuck at 10-9 and his inexperience cost him the set and match at 21-12 in
the 30 minutes that he was court.

Ariff himself was thrilled at having got a chance to play against a world great.

“It is a chance I will never forget. To me it was a great opportunity to take the court against a world famous player like Peter. Many would have frozen at the prospect of having to meet a player of his standing but was I was not afraid.

“I took the court without fear and just went out and gave my best. I could follow his play. Of course I lacked the experience of playing a five-star tournament. I lost but I came off richer in experience,” said Ariff who has comes from a family of five brothers and five sisters – four of whom, including himself, are in the BAM squads at various age groups.
Mohd ArIn the recent Sukma in Kedah, Ariff was a semi-finalists in the boys' individual events.

That would be Zakry Latif, Razif Latif, Nairul Suhada Latif and of course, Arif Latif ;)

[Inky2000]

Next Sidek family?

[erin_hakkinen]

LOL!!!
Erin, now I know who EastDevil means... it's our Haktano and partner. :eek:

OMG..yeah!
Haktano = Hobbit *faint
Couldn't be that small..:eek: How tall is he, anyway?

[erin_hakkinen]

Next Sidek family?
Nairul Athirah Latif & Nairul Nabilah Latif also play badminton. but according to a friend, not good enough..;) can't remember who is the elder one but if i'm not mistaken, they're 15 & 13 years old.

[nelsonkong]

I notice the men's doubles match between CTF and CCM and another younger-looking malaysian pair. It reminds me of Lord of the Rings... I felt like its humans versus hobbits. The other pair were like hobbits! In fact, many of the malaysian doybles pair are like hobbits; really small size like school boys with moustache.
Omg...that's a good borrowed scenario...XD

I wonder Rashid is a good coach...

[erin_hakkinen]

Nairul Athirah Latif & Nairul Nabilah Latif also play badminton. but according to a friend, not good enough..;) can't remember who is the elder one but if i'm not mistaken, they're 15 & 13 years old.

hmm... i think i got their ages wrong. I'll ask Sze Yin. :rolleyes:

[X Ball]

if not mistaken, kbh is one year younger than lcw


Given the opportunities to play and experience, he should hit his peak in 2 years. A slow learning badminton player only gets going at the age of 25-26. I think KBH is in that category (sorry KBH for this labelling). But when they put on the pressure he would start exerting his presence --- when he loses a few more times, I hope he starts thinking on how to improve (you need brains not just brawn in badminton).

[hector_iii]

chibe, HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHA. dat kind of excuse oso can give. malaysia was never and can never reach level of denmark, indon and china. them are too lazy and pampered. no determine to success. quite happy with no 2 bcos get enuff money.

[hcyong]

Given the opportunities to play and experience, he should hit his peak in 2 years. A slow learning badminton player only gets going at the age of 25-26. I think KBH is in that category (sorry KBH for this labelling). But when they put on the pressure he would start exerting his presence --- when he loses a few more times, I hope he starts thinking on how to improve (you need brains not just brawn in badminton).

I hope to be proven wrong, but I just fail to see the potential in KBH. I just have something against the way he plays which reminds me of Kwan Yoke Meng, another so-so player who had only the occasional glimpses of brilliance. My prediction is that he will not hold a higher position than the 3rd singles for Malaysia, if he can even hold on to the 3rd.

[hara^kazuko]

chibe, HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHA. dat kind of excuse oso can give. malaysia was never and can never reach level of denmark, indon and china. them are too lazy and pampered. no determine to success. quite happy with no 2 bcos get enuff money.

wow... NEVER seems way too definite... i thought we have catched up quite a bit with indonesia.. mayb u r refering to men's singles, if u look at men doubles u probably wouldnt say like dat... Malaysian Players arent lazy n pampered, they just don have to win tournaments to survive.. They will give thier best but not dying to do it..

Well, miracles do happen...

[hector_iii]

KBH is juz another person free-loading on malaysian taxpayer money to go travel arnd the world. during thomas cup 2006 still remember reported in malaysian newspaper dat he want chance to play and will deliver. after dat, look wat happened, played rotten and lost to a 3rd rate mediocre player. kekekekkeke, wonder how long will kbh last under li mao?

[**KZ**]

KBH is juz another person free-loading on malaysian taxpayer money to go travel arnd the world. during thomas cup 2006 still remember reported in malaysian newspaper dat he want chance to play and will deliver. after dat, look wat happened, played rotten and lost to a 3rd rate mediocre player. kekekekkeke, wonder how long will kbh last under li mao?
at least he did reached national playing level mah....at least he is better than most of us.....your comments are very negative....have you even reached state level?

[xijiayu]

The only cheer our young players brought to us was from Julia Wong. She played well and hope that she can achieve bigger success in future. I hope she will not like WMC, who is easily injured and inconsistent.

[LwW^w|n]

hmm... i think i got their ages wrong. I'll ask Sze Yin. :rolleyes:

no dear erin...u are all CORRECT!!!! haha...brilliant u...i told u once and u still can remember now!!!! well , the younger sister ,(i think she is Nairul Nabila....im very confused on their name....my friend told me before but i got confused again!! )..she is a state player, same as Athirah, but i think she is still young and still can get better. must work hard if really want to get into BAM.

[erin_hakkinen]

no dear erin...u are all CORRECT!!!! haha...brilliant u...i told u once and u still can remember now!!!! well , the younger sister ,(i think she is Nairul Nabila....im very confused on their name....my friend told me before but i got confused again!! )..she is a state player, same as Athirah, but i think she is still young and still can get better. must work hard if really want to get into BAM.

Thank you dear, for adding the info :D we wish Nairul Nabila all the best :D

[EastDevil]

It seems that there's still hope ...

(The Star, Jun 8)

An unforgettable day for young Mohd Ariff despite defeat


SINGAPORE: Court number one at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and five-star Aviva Open Singapore badminton championships will long be remembered by talented Malaysian youngster Mohd Ariff Latiff.

The 17-year-old Bukit Jalil Sports School student from Seremban lost his first round match 15-21, 12-21 but there was no shame in his defeat. After all he was up against former world number one and current world number three Peter Gade-Christensen and the tournament's top seed.

And fittingly he received accolades from the Dane who said: “Malaysia have a very young player who is talented and can go far in his badminton career”.

“He wants to try and give everything he has. I was pushed into speed. It was a sometime before I could settle against him. I see him as a very good player with lot of variations. If he can get the power and speed at the back it will do his game good.”

Gade-Christensen was not alone in praising Ariff. Even the crowd at the stadium cheered him on when the Malaysian led 2-0 and then 5-3 until it was 8-8. Even then Ariff caught the Dane on the wrong foot on several occasions with some deceptive drop shots until the score stood at 15-14.

It was Christensen's experience that finally told as he took the game at 21-15. In the second it was the young Malaysian who dictated play but came unstuck at 10-9 and his inexperience cost him the set and match at 21-12 in
the 30 minutes that he was court.

Ariff himself was thrilled at having got a chance to play against a world great.

“It is a chance I will never forget. To me it was a great opportunity to take the court against a world famous player like Peter. Many would have frozen at the prospect of having to meet a player of his standing but was I was not afraid.

“I took the court without fear and just went out and gave my best. I could follow his play. Of course I lacked the experience of playing a five-star tournament. I lost but I came off richer in experience,” said Ariff who has comes from a family of five brothers and five sisters – four of whom, including himself, are in the BAM squads at various age groups.
Mohd ArIn the recent Sukma in Kedah, Ariff was a semi-finalists in the boys' individual events.

He gave Gade too much respect. He was even smiling when he made mistakes. But he did impressive but could have been more impressive if he doesn't take it as a newbie versus big star kind of match and simply played what he was trying to play which was good.

[chibe_K]

......they just don have to win tournaments to survive.. They will give thier best but not dying to do it...

Thats it !!! Precisely this is what I mean to say.....Mal players dun have to win tournaments to remain in the squad.

[KooGuy]

Most talented players reach national level or even win an international tournament at the age of 16-18. Just look at the past records of the great legends like Rudy Hartono, Lim Swie King, Zao Jian Hwa, Icuk, Ardy etc..and the not so great ones like Misbun and Rasid, they do win the national championship under 20 yrs of age. Sure one can train hard if you don't have the talent but that can only get you so far - second or third best....If you haven't won any 4* championship at the age of 22 then more than likely you are not going to make it at later age...:( my 2cents....

[JYong]

chibe, HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHA. dat kind of excuse oso can give. malaysia was never and can never reach level of denmark, indon and china. them are too lazy and pampered. no determine to success. quite happy with no 2 bcos get enuff money.
after watching their training in SBH, have the same feeling as u.. malaysian players quite slack as compare to china. China's training is very proper and systematic,but for malaysia...

[JYong]

I hope to be proven wrong, but I just fail to see the potential in KBH. I just have something against the way he plays which reminds me of Kwan Yoke Meng, another so-so player who had only the occasional glimpses of brilliance. My prediction is that he will not hold a higher position than the 3rd singles for Malaysia, if he can even hold on to the 3rd.
the way he play really so-so.. attitude is not right. but if malaysia team no more talent he still have chance to go higher, the younger players take time to promote.

[X Ball]

Most talented players reach national level or even win an international tournament at the age of 16-18. Just look at the past records of the great legends like Rudy Hartono, Lim Swie King, Zao Jian Hwa, Icuk, Ardy etc..and the not so great ones like Misbun and Rasid, they do win the national championship under 20 yrs of age. Sure one can train hard if you don't have the talent but that can only get you so far - second or third best....If you haven't won any 4* championship at the age of 22 then more than likely you are not going to make it at later age...:( my 2cents....

Sure, I agree with what you have said. But there are exceptions. I think, like racehorses, some trainers purposely hold them back in their early life so that they can develop properly. Similarly, I think there are some people who can only develop a bit later in life, and I think KBH is one of them (he is not brilliant to say the least). He learns from the hard way, and that is to be given time to experience. There is no denying he is far from the likes of Rudy and some of the young greats.

But I always believe if you keep at something for a long time, it will break for you.

KBH, if you read this, you need to get your arse going before it gets too round !:mad:

[kokcheng]

I have a feeling Malaysians are very critical of their own players.Basically there isnt much consructive inputs.More of destructive bashings due to losses.Anyway,Ariff could be considered a potential world class player if properly groomed.I like his approach towards the game.HE is fast,aggressive and fearless.He must be a good player to warrant Peter Gade's respect.One slight flaw,he does not think BIG enough.For the recent Sukma he aims for the semi's only.That's what he achieved.Someone must advise him to dream BIG.It's not gonna cost extra.Other than this,this young player will shine soon.

[X Ball]

I have a feeling Malaysians are very critical of their own players.Basically there isnt much consructive inputs.More of destructive bashings due to losses.Anyway,Ariff could be considered a potential world class player if properly groomed.I like his approach towards the game.HE is fast,aggressive and fearless.He must be a good player to warrant Peter Gade's respect.One slight flaw,he does not think BIG enough.For the recent Sukma he aims for the semi's only.That's what he achieved.Someone must advise him to dream BIG.It's not gonna cost extra.Other than this,this young player will shine soon.

Critics sometimes help -- in fact it definitely does help else one can get complacent. And the way the Malaysian players are playing, they need to be told that they are not doing well !!!!


As for Arif, I think the young man has done very well. Needless to say, his folks will make sure he gets plenty of exposure in badminton after the recent mini successes. And BAM, I believe, would be zooming in with their binoculars. There is still life in Malaysian badminton !!!!:)

[Slugs]

Doesn't China have that "survival" instinct being ingrained in the mindset of their players i.e. you've got to "win it at all costs or else" attitude? I've seen a video clip a while back depicting LYB giving one of their doubles players a dressing-down in one particular badminton tournament right in the presence of the audience. Our players don't seem to have that kind of mindset, and just to show how shallow they are look at the fanciful watches they're wearing during matches.

[taufik-ist]

Most talented players reach national level or even win an international tournament at the age of 16-18. Just look at the past records of the great legends like Rudy Hartono, Lim Swie King, Zao Jian Hwa, Icuk, Ardy etc..and the not so great ones like Misbun and Rasid, they do win the national championship under 20 yrs of age. Sure one can train hard if you don't have the talent but that can only get you so far - second or third best....If you haven't won any 4* championship at the age of 22 then more than likely you are not going to make it at later age...:( my 2cents....

i think, a talented player begins to win any tournament title at the age 17 - 20
exception for hendrawan, he was 24 yo to win 1st gp :D

[hcyong]

I don't believe in that "you have to achieve this-and-that by the age of so-and-so" mantra. Whether you win the World Championships at 20 or at 30, you are still a World Champion.

[X Ball]

I don't believe in that "you have to achieve this-and-that by the age of so-and-so" mantra. Whether you win the World Championships at 20 or at 30, you are still a World Champion.

Yes agreed but it is very unlikely, e.g. I cannot see Kenneth winning the world championship even though he is playing extremely well.

[**KZ**]

poul erik hoyer larsen <<-----is it spelled correctly?
he won the 1996 olympics MS at the age of 36.....

[xijiayu]

With all malaysians are out, I have stopped watching SO and concentrate on WC. It's more exciting than badminton at the moment at least!

[X Ball]

poul erik hoyer larsen <<-----is it spelled correctly?
he won the 1996 olympics MS at the age of 36.....

Did he play against anyone signnificant ?

[virusvoodoo]

Did he play against anyone signnificant ?

In round 16, he beats Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia (17-14, 15-9)

In the QF, he beats Alan Budikusuma of Indonesia (15-11, 15-6)

In the SF, he beats Arbi Heryanto of Indonesia (15-11, 15-6)

And in the final, he beats Dong Jiong of China (15-12, 15-12) to win the 1996 Olympic title.

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Men's singles round of 16

Defending bronze medallist Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen was defeated in the round of 16, though his fellow Dane Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, who had been defeated in the quarterfinals four years earlier, was the only non-Asian to advance to the quarterfinals. Indonesia's three players all continued to advance.

Joko Suprianto, Indonesia (15-11, 15-12) Jens Olsson, Sweden
Rashid Sidek, Malaysia (15-5, 15-2) Yu Lizhi, China
Dong Jiong, China (15-6, 18-15) Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen, Denmark
Park Sung Woo, Korea (15-5, 15-9) Fumihiko Machida, Japan
Lee Kwang Jin, Korea (15-8, 15-12) Iain Sydie, Canada
Heryanto Arbi, Indonesia (15-0, 15-7) Liu En-Horng, Chinese Taipei
Alan Budikusuma, Indonesia (15-5, 15-6) Sun Jun, China
Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, Denmark (17-14, 15-9) Ong Ewe Hock, Malaysia


Men's singles quarterfinals

Rashid Sidek, Malaysia (15-5, 15-12) Joko Suprianto, Indonesia
Dong Jiong, China (15-6, 15-6) Park Sung Woo, Korea
Heryanto Arbi, Indonesia (15-0, 15-13) Lee Kwang Jin, Korea
Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, Denmark (15-11, 15-6) Alan Budikusuma, Indonesia


Men's singles semifinals

Høyer Larsen continued to win, defeating another Indonesian to become the first European to win an Olympic badminton semifinal match. Dong defeated Sidek in the other match.

Dong Jiong, China (15-6, 18-16) Rashid Sidek, Malaysia
Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, Denmark (15-11, 15-6) Heryanto Arbi, Indonesia


Men's singles bronze medal match

Sidek defeated Arbi in the bronze medal match, keeping the Indonesian team from a medal in the men's singles which they had dominated four years earlier.

Rashid Sidek, Malaysia (5-15, 15-11, 15-6) Heryanto Arbi, Indonesia


Men's singles final

Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, Denmark (15-12, 15-12) Dong Jiong, China