(SINGAPORE, 11 April, 2007) True to it's billing of " Tougher than the
Olympics", the Aviva Open Singapore 2007 (AOS 2007) has virtually all
the top-30 players in both men's and women's world rankings signed up
to take part in the most exciting badminton event to hit South-east
Asia this year.

The AOS 2007, which is part of the Badminton World Federation Super
Series, is the first event this year to offer the highly coveted
Olympic qualifying points which will count towards a place in the
Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The fact that there is no cap on the
number of entries from each country for the AOS 2007 means that every
country can, and have, sent all their top players to the event, in hope
of achieving as many entries for the Beijing Olympics as possible!

In the Olympics, a country is allowed to send only one entry per event
unless it has several top-ranked players. A country can send a maximum
of three entries if all its players are in the top four of the world
rankings. There is a limit of two entries if a country has two players
or pairs in the top 16.

With no such limits at this year's AOS 2007, China for example has
entered Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin, ranked first, second and
third in the world, as well as world No. 6 and 7 Chen Hong and Chen Yu!
A bad draw could see a player having to fight his way through the
entire Chinese contingent for the chance to stand on the winning
rostrum! Adding to the mix will be defending AOS champion Peter Gade of
Denmark and Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, who contribute to a men's field
jam-packed with truly world-class talent. The reigning Olympics
Champion and Asian Games Gold medalist, Taufik Hidayat from Indonesia,
will start his campaign for Olympics points here too.

It's an equally star-studded event in the women's field, with world No.
1 Xie Xingfang and reigning Olympic champ and world No. 2 Zhang Ning
scheduled to line up alongside compatriot and third-ranked Zhu Lin,
Germany's Xu Huaiwen, defending AOS 06 champion France's Pi Hongyan and
Hong Kong's Asian Games gold medalist Wang Chen.

In the doubles, the level of competition is equally high and exciting
as new pairings, from tried-and-true pairings, have been formed.
Indeed, world badminton giant China even has two pairings in the men's
doubles event who have to fight their way through the qualifying rounds
just for a chance to play in the main draw!
Reigning Olympic champs Gao Ling and Zhang Jun of China have been
separated and Gao Ling will continue her partnership with her Asian
Games 2006 Gold medal partner, Zheng Bo in the hope of being the next
top pairing which can take on the world in Beijing.

All top-10 players in both the men's and women's world rankings are
entered for the tournament, which takes place from May 1-6 at the
Singapore Indoor Stadium. Besides being able to see the cream of world
badminton talent battling it out for a slice of the US$200,000 prize
money and the valuable Olympic points, Singapore badminton fans will
also be able to catch their favourite local athletes who will be
pitting themselves against the best in the world.

A resurgent Ronald Susilo, on the comeback trail from his Achilles
tendon injury over a year ago, has regained his place among the best in
the world with a world-ranking of 23. He and compatriot Kendrick Lee,
ranked 25th, will be hoping for a top finish in their home tournament.
Susilo is clearly excited to be regaining his form ahead of this year's
South-east Asia Games in December and next year's Olympics. "It's great
that I am finally climbing back into the top 25 of the world rankings
and I hope to continue improving in the coming months. The Aviva Open
will give me a good start for my Olympic journey because playing in
front of a home crowd is always an advantage. "

In the women's event, youngster Xing Aiying has made it into the main
draw for the first time with her world ranking of 29. She will join
Singapore's No. 1 Li Li, ranked 18th, as they take on the might of
badminton powerhouses China, Hong Kong, Denmark, Holland and Japan.
Xing said: "I am so excited that I've made it into the main draw. All
my hard work and the trust SBA has in me has paid off! Of course, I
will be looking forward to my Olympic Dream. As long as I make good
progress in our preparations, who says dreams won’t come true?”

Singapore Badminton Association Acting Chief Executive Jacqueline Lim
is hoping for a great finish for Singaporean athletes. "This is our
home tournament so we are aiming for a good result, both for our fans
here in Singapore and also as preparation for next year's Olympics. It
will not be easy given the quality turnout but we have to aim high.”

"This year’s Aviva Open is a fantastic chance for our athletes to test
themselves against the very best in the world as well as to gain
Olympic qualifying points. Our training has been going well and early
season results indicate that we are on the right track. I expect our
singles and doubles players to push themselves to the max."

The draw for the event will be held next week on Monday, April 16. But
regardless of the draw, Singapore badminton enthusiasts can look
forward to one of the most spectacular sporting events of the year at
the AOS 2007. With ticket prices ranging from $2 for children to $50
for premium season tickets, the AOS 2007 will offer fantastic value for
money and a chance to catch the hottest badminton action right here at
our doorsteps!

that's the way a SS attendance should be.
looks like we're going to be some very good matches!

Damn, really jealous about that, why can't the US Open be like that?

That's the way it should be!! Damn, this is exciting!

Cant wait for this tourny to begin!

wow just wow this is gonna be so awesome

Sorry, is this your own work Ants or from an article?

Yes, this is the tournament where nothing is spared. The players are asked to put in an effort, nothing amounting to less than an Olympic effort.

Now I say this because a lot of people may claim it is all 'fluke' if the out-of-form players like LCW or Hafiz suddenly step up to win.

Now talking about that, I think LCW will step up (well, you may say "here he goes again about LCW..." :) ). Unlike some of the people who would claim something without giving a reason, I beg to be different. And here is my take below.

1. LCW has been told my BAM to put it together, his slide is not tolerated.
2. The tie-up with Misbun is now in its 5th week or so, and Misbun has
had time to iron out LCW's speed and anticipation. In addition, he has
gone over enough of strategies to bring back the sharpness in LCW's
game....be sure to look out for the change in speed and tactics.
3. Hafiz is pushing LCW in training, it is unfortunate that he is to meet
LCW in the first game (don't look too much in the game if HAFIZ loses).
They will not 'kill' each other.
4. LCW will definitely meet LD in the QTR Final (Boonsak to feel a
rejuvenated LCW too hot to handle). LD is recovering from injury
--- probably from an inflammed rib cage. If he is less than 100% fit, I
think
LCW will certainly capitalise on this.

The Malaysian camp is breathing with new confidence pervading from the MD to the MS. The women camp is also getting a shot in their confidence with Julia, Wong, and everyone is else looking forward to a good outing in the SIN Open.

Can this be the turnaround forthcoming ? Is LCW going to spit fire like he is doing during training? From all reports, he is now faster and burning with desire to excel in the coming games - the 'old' LCW is dying to reappear.

If LD is 'suspect' in his fitness, we can count on LCW to wave his magic 'wand' (his racket). LCW has finally shed his shadow (Li Mao). LCW came to his senses that Li Mao's tactics were clouding his ability to think. In many games, he must have felt that if he did not follow Li Mao's game plan, he will fail. Sometimes when a faster oponent is dictating terms, it is hard to carry out the game plan and that is when negativeness creeps in.

Misbun's tactics require his proteges' to think for themselves coz he knows well it is bad to inhibit them with set strategies. If the players are motivated, his tactics work like a charm, e.g. Hafiz was motivated and he won the All-England. But equally, if the player becomes less motivated (e.g. Hafiz), they can fail miserably.

I like Misbun's style better because the player must make his own destiny - he is the one who calls the shot during the game (the coach cannot make a LOT of decisions for the player). This is similar to teaching kids in school, if the kids who are not motivated they will not excel no matter how good the teacher is.

Hafiz claims now that he is getting married, he will find inspiration and therefore motivation to excel. Can we believe him ? Of course, there is one person greater who can inspire the boy other than GOD, and that is the person who wears the apron at home. :) No chauvinism intended.

How can he be rejuvenated you ask ? Well, put it this way, he won an ALL-ENGLAND and he was well motivated then. Motivation=DESIRE=Inner Emotion. He lost his desire coz he did not have a lot of emotion. Emotion is roused when something excites the mind. Sometimes we rise to our best because there is someone who rouses our feelings to the optimum (e.g. a leader or a an inspired article). LD was inspired to do well in the last two years (is it XXF?). It may not be a woman, it could be just a new awareness of things. TIME WILL TELL.

LCW has taken on a new awareness : that he was not winning anymore (it is a devastating emotion/feeling). It has stirred him to question his drop in form, this new search in himself (awareness) will push his emotion quotient up and that will drive his motivation to succeed. And coupled with Misbun's quiet style instead of Li Mao's extravagant authoritative style will invoke a new thinking in LCW when he plays. His inner sense will start working, he will be able to call the FORCE (an inner strength). The Force works only if you are able to call on it and when your mind is not clouded with someone else's FORCE (in this case Li Mao's Force overwhelmed LCW's).

It may sound like rubbish above but if you read this without prejudice, it will make sense. :)

Sorry, is this your own work Ants or from an article?

its from the official website:
http://www.singaporebadmintonopen.com/en/media/?aid=47169&sec=118&ssec=276&amth=4&ayr=2007

(SINGAPORE, 11 April, 2007)
With no such limits at this year's AOS 2007, China for example has
entered Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin, ranked first, second and
third in the world, as well as world No. 6 and 7 Chen Hong and Chen Yu!
A bad draw could see a player having to fight his way through the
entire Chinese contingent for the chance to stand on the winning
rostrum! Adding to the mix will be defending AOS champion Peter Gade of Denmark and Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, who contribute to a men's field jam-packed with truly world-class talent. The reigning Olympics Champion and Asian Games Gold medalist, Taufik Hidayat from Indonesia, will start his campaign for Olympics points here too.

note how they gave taufik the longest title, lol.

Hmm, i wonder if Kenneth J. is playing this tournament.

Hmm, i wonder if Kenneth J. is playing this tournament.
http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.aspx?id=14406&draw=1

He's playing againt Eric Pang in Round 1 and if he wins, he will meet either Dicky Palyama or Ng Wei in Round 2. If all goes well, he will face Gade or Odeum or Taufik in the quarter-finals.

http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.aspx?id=14406&draw=1

He's playing againt Eric Pang in Round 1 and if he wins, he will meet either Dicky Palyama or Ng Wei in Round 2. If all goes well, he will face Gade or Odeum or Taufik in the quater-finals.
Thanks, i didnt thot of checking that site.
Kenneth should able to handle eric and dicky/ngwei

note how they gave taufik the longest title, lol.

Hmm, i wonder if Kenneth J. is playing this tournament.
It's to let LD know the titles he still has to chase. Luckily LD won the WC last year(with a lot of help from his teammates!) otherwise the title they gave TH will be longer! See how TH gets the local media to behave.