let's throw in more names: Han Aiping Li Lingwei should be way up there on the list as in their days, the two of them completely dominated the WS scene. (as well as WD when they partnered together) who's before them? were there any dominating LS players before Han and Li?
I am kind of new to badminton so I don't know some of the early players so my oppologies...only been in the "circuit" for one and a half years...
i can try to make a top ten but will not go further back than the 80´s Han Aipeng Li lingwei Lene Koepen Susi Susanti Gong Zhichao Camilla Martin Ye Zhayoing Zhang Ning George Foreman Tom Hanks
there was a i think Danish lady who is the rival of Han and LiLW at the late 80s. anybody recalls her name?
My preferred ladies players: - Han Aiping; - Yeh Zhaoying; - Zhang Ailing; - Bang Soo Hyun; - Susi Susanti; - Camilla Martin; - Liu Xia; - Lee Youngsuk; - Liang ChouXia; - Gong ZhiChao. I heard about 1 lady that was dominant/undisputed in China, back in the 60's/70's. Her name is Chen Yuniang but unfortunatelly never seen her play.
Can't say much about - Han Aiping , Yeh Zhaoying , Zhang Ailing, Bang Soo Hyun. But i can say Susi Susanti was the best before.
You young guys None of you every saw the beautiful Lene Koppens of Denmark playing, grace, beauty and great legs.
ive seen Lene Køppen a lot of times in television or in a hall when she support her child Marie Røpke. Lene Køppen was just as great a player as Camilla is today ... by the way Marie Røpke her daughter is a very talented player only 15 or 16 years old.
Re: You young guys Watched her playing and also Morten Frost back in 1981. Traveled to Guangzhou, China specifically to watch that friendly between China and Denmark. Too bad Lene lost to Zhang Ailing and Morten injured himseld during warm-up. But at least watched Morten in the prectice sessions with the Danish team.
Guys !!! Don't forget 2 names : -Liang Chiu Xia (was ex-Chinese best player and now in Indonesia) -Hiro Yuki (Japan, 5 times All England champion)
Never knew Japan have 5 times all England Champ. Maybe i concentrate more in mens during those times. Only knew Susi Susanti and some the ladies during the 80's and 90's. Hiro Yuki.. when did she won All england?
She is in my list but spelt differently - Liang ChouXia. Guess what? I played against her in an exhibition mixed doubles game. At that time she was retired from Chinese team and before going to Indonesia. During the game the man stayed at the net and she returned everything I threw at her. It was not much different hitting against a wall. Some older guys mentioned Chen Yuniang was a better player as Liang was never able to beat her. Not sure about this though.
Gong ZhiChao well shes pretty amazing since she really isnt that tall and taller people have a better advantage... more variations in there shot and more choices.
top ten rank: 1. LI LINGWEI, 2.SUSY susanti 3.HAN AIPING 4.ZHANG NING 5.GONG ZHICHAO 6.BANG SOO HYUN 7.YE ZHAOYING 8.TANG JIUHONG 9.XIE XINGFANG 10.CAmilla MARtin