Linus
05-14-2007, 02:38 AM
I have compiled the performance per country after the first 6 SS in 2007, recording the appearance from QF onwards. See attached spreadsheet.
Some observations:
XD -
The dominace of Chinese WD is absolute, representing 10 out of the 12 final berths available and winning 6 out of 6 titles so far. Period.
WD -
Personally I'm surprised by the China representation of XD, which was not their usual stronghold. Winning 4 out of 6 titles was unusual. Perhaps this is a reflection more of the declining of the traditional forces of the Koreans and the European teams? Fortunately or unfortunately, depending from whose view, XD has little attention or importance except in the Sudirman Cup (but who care?). But other than the WD, China may be quietly confidence in bagging the XD gold in the Beijing 2008 Olympic.
WS -
On the surface China again looks dominent with 5 out of 6 titles, but actually if you look at the number of different representatives at the QFs, this is the most competitive area. China can only rely on XXF and ZN that far but they need to be at their top always to fend off challenges coming from many different players, typically the European-base ex-Chinese as well as Hong Kong's Wan Chen.
Woth noting is Xu Huaiwen (Germany), which appear in all 6 SS QF. This is consistency even though she managed to go as far as 2 SF. No wonder she is ranked 4th now in the BWF ranking.
Another surprise package comes in Bulgaria's Petya Nedeltcheva, who did very well this year appearing in 3 QFs and 2 SFs.
MD -
This is where Malaysia shines. Very high representation in QF and SF, appearing in 5 finals out of 6, and winning 3 of them (yes KKK/TBH!). Some Malaysian fans may think otherwise but MD is their best bet at this moment because there are a number of pairing who can go far if the draw is kind to them to spread them around. If all the Malaysia MD teams can keep up this performance, an Olympic gold may not be unrealistic.
On the contrary, China may have won 2 titles so far, but it is only 1 team of FHF/CY. One bad performance and that is it.
But where is the Indonesian MD?
MS -
The is a field where everyone can beat everyone as you have 5 different winners so far. Despite China now occupy top 5 MS ranking in WBF, their so called "dominance" never translate in actual tournament as the new rule of not seperating players from same country help to level the field a little. Otherwise you would expect a much higher % of representation of Chinese players in the SF onwards.
Overall -
Clearly China is, as expected, the early winners in the SS with 21 out of the total 30 titles on offer. Malaysia a distance second with 4, Korea with 2, Denmark, Indonesia and Hogn Kong each have 1.
I think if any dissapointment, it has to be from the Indonesia camp where they would have expected more, esp. from the MS and the MD. When Taufik is not delivering, the next best Sony is also some distance away from the pack. But especially surprise is that their MD has not landed any title yet, not even from the recent IO at their home court.
The European forces, except the WS, is also on the decline. The Denmark's MD no longer deliver when it matters and seem at a disadvantage against the younger pairings, and only Peter Gade has a fair chance in landing any honour.
Of course, we are only 5 months into 2007, and things may change at the end of the year. But China is expected to maintain pole position, the question remains is how well other countries/players fair in their individual niches.
Some observations:
XD -
The dominace of Chinese WD is absolute, representing 10 out of the 12 final berths available and winning 6 out of 6 titles so far. Period.
WD -
Personally I'm surprised by the China representation of XD, which was not their usual stronghold. Winning 4 out of 6 titles was unusual. Perhaps this is a reflection more of the declining of the traditional forces of the Koreans and the European teams? Fortunately or unfortunately, depending from whose view, XD has little attention or importance except in the Sudirman Cup (but who care?). But other than the WD, China may be quietly confidence in bagging the XD gold in the Beijing 2008 Olympic.
WS -
On the surface China again looks dominent with 5 out of 6 titles, but actually if you look at the number of different representatives at the QFs, this is the most competitive area. China can only rely on XXF and ZN that far but they need to be at their top always to fend off challenges coming from many different players, typically the European-base ex-Chinese as well as Hong Kong's Wan Chen.
Woth noting is Xu Huaiwen (Germany), which appear in all 6 SS QF. This is consistency even though she managed to go as far as 2 SF. No wonder she is ranked 4th now in the BWF ranking.
Another surprise package comes in Bulgaria's Petya Nedeltcheva, who did very well this year appearing in 3 QFs and 2 SFs.
MD -
This is where Malaysia shines. Very high representation in QF and SF, appearing in 5 finals out of 6, and winning 3 of them (yes KKK/TBH!). Some Malaysian fans may think otherwise but MD is their best bet at this moment because there are a number of pairing who can go far if the draw is kind to them to spread them around. If all the Malaysia MD teams can keep up this performance, an Olympic gold may not be unrealistic.
On the contrary, China may have won 2 titles so far, but it is only 1 team of FHF/CY. One bad performance and that is it.
But where is the Indonesian MD?
MS -
The is a field where everyone can beat everyone as you have 5 different winners so far. Despite China now occupy top 5 MS ranking in WBF, their so called "dominance" never translate in actual tournament as the new rule of not seperating players from same country help to level the field a little. Otherwise you would expect a much higher % of representation of Chinese players in the SF onwards.
Overall -
Clearly China is, as expected, the early winners in the SS with 21 out of the total 30 titles on offer. Malaysia a distance second with 4, Korea with 2, Denmark, Indonesia and Hogn Kong each have 1.
I think if any dissapointment, it has to be from the Indonesia camp where they would have expected more, esp. from the MS and the MD. When Taufik is not delivering, the next best Sony is also some distance away from the pack. But especially surprise is that their MD has not landed any title yet, not even from the recent IO at their home court.
The European forces, except the WS, is also on the decline. The Denmark's MD no longer deliver when it matters and seem at a disadvantage against the younger pairings, and only Peter Gade has a fair chance in landing any honour.
Of course, we are only 5 months into 2007, and things may change at the end of the year. But China is expected to maintain pole position, the question remains is how well other countries/players fair in their individual niches.