Turkiye International Challenge 2011

[LD rules!]

Surprised there is nothing mentioned about this tournament anywhere...

http://tournamentsoftware.com/sport/...D-435AA042C47B

the tournament is well underway now, and there are many entrants from South Korea (notably 8/23 couples in the XD draw are S.Korean)

there are many other well known players here from other countries, such as Petya Nedelcheva, Yao Jie, and Mateusiak/Zieba

in my opinion, there is a good chance for Korea to take at least 3or 4 out of 5 titles here, notably Hong Ji Hoon or Lee Dong Keun (who will play each other in the final round of qualification shortly) MD and XD is pretty much guaranteed to be won by Korea also, WD will also be a possibilty for Korea. WS will be a struggle, due to the competition here.

[Smautf]

...agree, an interesting tourney. Where else would you find players from Serbia, Uzbekistan and even Suriname? Plenty of home representation too. If you're English it's also worth noting that Andrew Smith has taken part here, losing to Korean Sung Min Park in three.

Turkey (pop.70m) has ambitions to join the EU, and some think that it will be part of a second wave of economically emergent countries after the BRIC nations. One to watch, I'd say.

smautf

[Fidget]

That tournament does (did) indeed have some big names. As well as ones not so famous.
Nice to become more familiar with the European names who you won't always see in the Asian dominated Super Series. eg. Franziska Volkman from Germany; Emile Lefel from France; Erbu Yasgan from Turkey; and Ann Hald Jensen from ...??Greece! (perhaps it's short for 'Jensen-analakousapopagus' )

[stefanosx]

That tournament does (did) indeed have some big names. As well as ones not so famous.
Nice to become more familiar with the European names who you won't always see in the Asian dominated Super Series. eg. Franziska Volkman from Germany; Emile Lefel from France; Erbu Yasgan from Turkey; and Ann Hald Jensen from ...??Greece! (perhaps it's short for 'Jensen-analakousapopagus' )

it is jensen - charalambidou,she is from denmark but she married a greek guy, who is also her partner in mxDoubles

[Fidget]

it is jensen - charalambidou,she is from denmark but she married a greek guy, who is also her partner in mxDoubles

Thank you. It's always neat to learn more about the badminton world.

[LD rules!]

Hong Ji Hoon destroyed Dicky Palayama. 21-8 21-4 I thought he'd win the tournament anyway... And as predicted 3/5 titles for Korea