INA team left for taipeh on Sunday via HKG (CX) and had arrived around midnite.

Thanks God. The team travelled safely!! :)

Lee yong daer/LHJ withdrew........as predicted

Simon should win this tournament... He is fresh and fit! Maria has a chance, but she might be too tired from all the Olympics competition and the hoopla that INA people give her after her Bronze win...

Chris Langridge/david Lindye also withdrew so Bona/Ahsan will have an easier opponents.
Been told that from official hotel to venue takes 40 minutes...

any livescores?

NG Wei and Anup Shridhar withdrew

lets see whos gonna withdrew next
any info, why those 2 MS players withdrew ??

i dont have any info about the reason why, sorry

rudy smsed me that he`s on the way to the airport now.

I just arrived around 5.50 am and greeted by Taipeh badminton staff.
It took about 40 minutes to one of the official hotel. Golden China.
It was raining a bit

..did they give you one of those welcome leis?? a jacket??
..did they take you out for breakfast?? dim sum??
..i assume they know you're a BC member??
..40 min., that's quite a drive from the airport (i assume no traffic & by car)
................last, we need pics from the tourney...........:(:p

KOR/MAS/SIN/MAC stay at santos hotel.
INA/DEN/ENG/NEtherland/German/Australia stay at Golden China.

..did they give you one of those welcome leis?? a jacket??
..did they take you out for breakfast?? dim sum??
..i assume they know you're a BC member??
..40 min., that's quite a drive from the airport (i assume no traffic & by car)
................last, we need pics from the tourney...........:(:p

Nah..it takes abt an hr to get to a hotel in city-centre in Taipei (by express bus), and around 40-50 mins by taxi. So, it's a normal ride :p

the venue (台北縣立新莊體育館) is quite far away from the city and not accessible by subway. for budget travellers, the nearest subway would be banqiao station and you could take a bus (no.99 if i recall correctly) or cab to the venue

any picture during TO 08 ??

I have been informed by Thai's coach that Poompat has resigned/retired...he might coach.

We teased tanongsak's spiky hair as like Durian Monthong.....hehe.....

reid and Nicole were coaching Anu today against Sekiya....anu almost won and leading 2 match points to lose the match..

Also it is official that Chen Hong is taiwan's oach for single...He may not play any more tournament after this Taipeh Open

It is free admission for today and yesterday ........

I have been informed by Thai's coach that Poompat has resigned/retired...he might coach.

why???any reason???

Most of Japnese players in this tournament are from NEC so NEC's taiwan with their Japanese bosses brought their taiwanese staff to cheer for Japan team..it was funny that Taiwanese NEC had to support the Japanese instead of their own player.

Again, it was raining hard last nite when we were invited by Taiwanese's coach for dinner.........

Piccies please.. Hehe..

Pia had been selected to perform doping test yesterday after winning her match.....to her frustration, she drank about 4 bottle of water and she could not pee.....haha.....at the same....she was too hungry and could not eat anything....

There is no player lounge at taipeh Open bjt they have Media room and full of snakc and real food.........again...it shows that organizer never appreciates players at all.......I did say it to Gillian Clark ( she was there) that organizer ( in everywhere) know how to spoil Media....

I managed to talk to Tan Kim Her....he told ma that Jenny Wallwork will be , more likely , NR's partner....
He will not go to Japan Open due to late visa request.......

Candra Widjaya showed us a pic that Big Mango is almost same size with Racket head.....That mango is huge..........

Dinner with INA players and coaches.....hosted by koh Apen ( Musica's boss)......we had 2 tables..other table was only for players ( Simon, Devin, Ahsan, Bona, hendra AG,joko) and we were same table with INA's coach, Candra, Tony an d Koh Apen.......again...you can see how much those players could eat......hehe.....( same as last time in KL's dinner with INA players)

There is no player lounge at taipeh Open bjt they have Media room and full of snakc and real food.........again...it shows that organizer never appreciates players at all.......I did say it to Gillian Clark ( she was there) that organizer ( in everywhere) know how to spoil Media....
...i'm sure everyone knows which line is the food's line...;)
Candra Widjaya showed us a pic that Big Mango is almost same size with Racket head.....That mango is huge..........
..Big Mango? Racket head?...:confused:..gotta show us some pics, Hau-ge...:p ;)
Dinner with INA players and coaches.....hosted by koh Apen ( Musica's boss)......we had 2 tables..other table was only for players ( Simon, Devin, Ahsan, Bona, hendra AG,joko) and we were same table with INA's coach, Candra, Tony an d Koh Apen.......again...you can see how much those players could eat......hehe.....( same as last time in KL's dinner with INA players)
...pictures??...:confused:

...i'm sure everyone knows which way is the food's line...;)

..Big Mango? Racket head?...gotta show us some pics, Hau-ge...:p ;)
The pic is in Candra's samsung Handphone...remember that Samsung is still sponsoring Candra.......

Udom, Thai's coach told me that Chaiyut Triyachart 's mother( SIN MD and XD) was used to be Thai ladies Champion, Daruni.
Apparently Chaiyut comes from rich family...his father built badminton hall in northeast of Thailand......

Most players spent their time in Tower 101........I do not know whats the big deal with that tower.......

Most players spent their time in Tower 101........I do not know whats the big deal with that tower.......
..shopping, eating, sightseeing and.........................more shopping..
It is currently the tallest bldg in the world (soon to be "officially" replaced by the one in Dubai)..Actually it's also being hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World..:cool:
The building's tower lights also change its lights every night..Tonight should be the purple color...:cool:
Has an outdoor observatory tower (about $13 to get in)..
..(you should go, too, before it's no longer the tallest bldg in the world);)

..shopping, eating, sightseeing and.........................more shopping..
It is currently the tallest bldg in the world (soon to be "officially" replaced by the one in Dubai)..:cool:
The building also changes its lights every night..Tonight should be the purple color...:cool:
Has an outdoor observatory tower (about $13 to get in)..
..(you should go, too, before it's no longer the tallest bldg in the world);)
I have been that towe at least 3 times.........;)....well HKG has many building changing colors every second........:cool:

Apparently Tanongsak loves Boba tea....in last 2 days, at least I saw him sipping Boba tea like 4 times at least.....

..might be just a portion of what he actually drank...:p ;)

I have been that towe at least 3 times.........;)....well HKG has many building changing colors every second........:cool:

I agree that there's probably nothing interesting to do at Taipei 101 except for Shopping and Eating. I spend less than 1.5 hrs everytime I visit that tower.

But, the areas around Taipei 101 (Hsin Yi) is quite interesting....I like the Mitsukoshi (malls spread out around the areas), and the Village Cineplex. There's also a flagship outlet of the biggest bookstore there (Elite).

The pic is in Candra's samsung Handphone...remember that Samsung is still sponsoring Candra.......

I thought he's sponsored by a Japanese company?

I thought he's sponsored by a Japanese company?
Candra has a few of sponsorships..........

:(In official Taipeh Yonex program....there are many errors..instead of printing the word" MESSAGES"..it is MASSAGES.......:D not one time but at least 4 times with Massages from BWF president, Massages from ABC President ( Bang Yos), Taiwanese Badminton Association as well as Taiwanese Olympic president......

It seems that Typhoon will hit taipeh today and tomorrow...it is raining outside...could not go anywhere......

Greysia Polii loves cheesecake..even she had some for breakfast........

I have been informed by Thai's coach that Poompat has resigned/retired...he might coach.

Isn't Poompat very very young? I think only 23 years old or something? Same age as Andre and Simon etc. ?!? :confused:

Greysia Polii loves cheesecake..even she had some for breakfast........

She does have the buck-teeth to like cheese... :D

What is Koh Apen doing in Taipei? Just watching badminton? :confused: :)

It seems that Typhoon will hit taipeh today and tomorrow...it is raining outside...could not go anywhere......
..sorry to hear the bad weather news; hope you'll stay safe and won't get sick...
Forecast for typhoon Sinlaku says it will be wet, wet, wet in Taipei this weekend; although the wind should die down. Not fun at all. I guess all if not most flights are being cancelled in and out of Taipei also (when all flights are resumed, there'll be many delays). Then the typhoon will head northeast towards Japan, as it should die off in the middle of next week.
Looks like it's not too severe; so, hope stores, shops are still open (almost same story in HK, last month):p

:(In official Taipeh Yonex program....there are many errors..instead of printing the word" MESSAGES"..it is MASSAGES.......:D not one time but at least 4 times with Massages from BWF president, Massages from ABC President ( Bang Yos), Taiwanese Badminton Association as well as Taiwanese Olympic president......
Luckily they din't printed "MASSAGES by REIKO/OGURA":D:D

Chen Hong has a baby girl..............( just 2 months old)

Isn't Poompat very very young? I think only 23 years old or something? Same age as Andre and Simon etc. ?!? :confused:



She does have the buck-teeth to like cheese... :D

What is Koh Apen doing in Taipei? Just watching badminton? :confused: :)
Koh ngs his family and his mother to taipei and at same time,,...he was coaching Candra/Tony in last 2 days.....:p Thomas took his pictures while he was coaching........:D:D

It is very rare to see CEO of Yonex..Mr Ben Yoneyama showed up at tournament especially in this Gold GP.
The organizer did not expect him to be there so they had to rush to organize the seating in last minutes...he has wacthed few matches....
He came by and shook hands with Tony/Candra.....
Also I have learned that Mr.Wu ( Father of Taiwan badminton, I think Chen Kang is one of his son in law), was conferred with decoration by Japan's Emperor in April 2008..may be this is one of the reason why Yonex's CEO present in Taiwan..

Many flights have been cancelled this morning. English team was supposed to leave this morning, now has been scheduled to leave around 4 or 5 pm to Osaka then Tokyo....

I just realized that Sari shinta speaks Mandarin very well...she said that living with Yao lei/Gu Juan/Fu Ming Tian, mostly do not speak Englsih , forcing her to learn Mandarin...she speaks Englsih, Mandarin, Indonesian and Javanese.....

..shopping, eating, sightseeing and.........................more shopping..
It is currently the tallest bldg in the world (soon to be "officially" replaced by the one in Dubai)..Actually it's also being hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World..:cool:
The building's tower lights also change its lights every night..Tonight should be the purple color...:cool:
Has an outdoor observatory tower (about $13 to get in)..
..(you should go, too, before it's no longer the tallest bldg in the world);)

but it is an ugly tower...;)

..the colorful lights, shining at night, are for??...;)
I just realized that Sari shinta speaks Mandarin very well...she said that living with Yao lei/Gu Juan/Fu Ming Tian, mostly do not speak Englsih , forcing her to learn Mandarin...she speaks Englsih, Mandarin, Indonesian and Javanese.....
..she also speaks another language: Singlish (Singaporean English) with lots of "lah, lah, lah" at the end of a phrase...;)

..the colorful lights, shining at night, are for??...;)

..she also speak another language: Singlish (Singaporean English) with lots of "lah, lah, lah" at the end of a phrase...;)
chris , have u watched Phua Chu Kang before?:D:D
best in spore and JB .:p and some say Batam..:p:p
LMAO.

Pia had been selected to perform doping test yesterday after winning her match.....to her frustration, she drank about 4 bottle of water and she could not pee.....haha.....at the same....she was too hungry and could not eat anything....

oh.. hahaha...but she was great could beat Maria.. :):):)

..the colorful lights, shining at night, are for??...;)

..she also speaks another language: Singlish (Singaporean English) with lots of "lah, lah, lah" at the end of a phrase...;)

who is Sari Shinta??

Boe and Moe were so happy to win this tournament....One of them took of tjeir shirt and threw it to spectators and then both of them threw their rackets as well .......
Both of their tattooes on their bodies.......it was good for them to win 2 sets and they were hurry to get to airport to catch up their 8 pm's flight back to Copenhagen via Bangkok.

Saina was thrilled to win taipeh Open..she told me that she took boxing sport to improve her movement....same suggestions by Jason ( INA's physical trainer) to INA players....

Again, raining hard in Taipeh.......we decided to have Shabu Shabu with some players/Coaches and Taiwan Badminton association.....I have to say that they are very hospitable.......

Chen Kang was coaching women double as well as mixed double today....

who is Sari Shinta??
..btw, her family name/surname is Sari...and this is her BWF profile:):
http://internationalbadminton.org/player_info.asp?playerid=52702
..and her pic;):
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51689 (1st pic)

Again, CEO of Yonex watched all matches all day....he admired Tony/Candra very much....even after their loss, he came and had some encouraging words for them......

It was really nice talking to Gillian Clark about the badminton in future, player's association. BWF's etc.......glad that we had many things in common........

India Badminton association has asked Saina to participate at World Junior Championsip.....she prefers to play Denmark/French Open to get to top 10..

It si very sad to say that Main media outlet do not report badminton at all, even in a small sections news..Bali tennis tournament got more coverage...( Taipei Times, China post and Taiwan news)......not good for badminton at all

There were reports about Chien/Cheng's progress to the Final and Chiu Yi Ju's honorable loss to Lydia Cheah in the United Daily News (one of the largest newspapers in Taiwan, apart from the China Times): udn.com

3 news reports in UDN today:
1. The home pair WD's victory and "Winnie" Cheng Wen-Hsing's impending return to teaching job, which means the partnership is temporarily split.
2. Fang Chieh-Min's bad-luck in the XD Final.
3. Collective report of victories for Simon and Saina.

It si very sad to say that Main media outlet do not report badminton at all, even in a small sections news..Bali tennis tournament got more coverage...( Taipei Times, China post and Taiwan news)......not good for badminton at all

no wonder, a lot of TPE players in Bali
Hsieh Su Wei won in double paired with Shuai Peng beat Petrova/Domachowska 6-7 7-6 10-7 (Peng played amazing well yesterday, saved a lot of MPs)
Chan Yu Jan through to Quarter, lost to Hantuchova

India Badminton association has asked Saina to participate at World Junior Championsip.....she prefers to play Denmark/French Open to get to top 10..

Hmm, hard choice for Saina. As host of upcoming World Junior Championship 2008, certainly India hopes Saina will take title, but its schedule (24 October-02 November/08) will clash with two SS tournaments next month.

..then technically and by rule she can't qualify; i think she is only 18 yrs. old this yr, so, yeah, it'll be her last chance...Btw, she hasn't won the WJC title, yet...

3 news reports in UDN today:
1. The home pair WD's victory and "Winnie" Cheng Wen-Hsing's impending return to teaching job, which means the partnership is temporarily split.
2. Fang Chieh-Min's bad-luck in the XD Final.
3. Collective report of victories for Simon and Saina.
I guess they only reported in Chinese language newspaper....apparently not in English one.

Hauge, I enjoy reading your diary... Thanks a lot...