I don't know if other people have already discussed this issue or not, but I am just curious to find out who will receive the Eddy Choong Award for 2003. Zhang Ning or Lin Dan? They had a superb year. How about Kim AND Ra as a pair? Other thoughts?
have to admit, the number of consecutive tournaments that Kim and Ra have won this past year is very impressive - Lin Dan hasn't had a fabulous year, but some key moments of fame. Zhang Ning is a contender, i'd say.
I'm also impressed with Zhang Ning, who's made a comeback of sorts. The 'old' girl of the Chinese team who suffered sporadic periods of injury, refused to retire as many of her contemporaries did, and instead persevered on, separated from her newly-married husband, and was deservedly rewarded by winning a number of IBF tournaments. True professional to the core! Definitely a good role model for the young aspirant!
So, no 'pair' winnners yet or were there? Then it's not too soon to have Kim/Ra win it for the first time as a pair. They had an awesome year whole year long and it'd be a shame if they lose out to 'sudden' performers (no offence to Lin Dan fans... ). It'll also be a shame if only one of them got to win it (if only one can win), as both Kim/Ra work the best as a TEAM, not individuals. Perhaps it's about time teams are recognized as well. Still, if only one person can win it then... *shrug*... how pitiful. Oh, it'll also be Kim DM's second successive...
I think Kim/Ra will be players of the year for their records of successive mixD wins this year. They have been so far the most consistent mix doubles. I think later , they will be in the Hall of Fame!
We should hear soon as IBF usually anounces in Janurary. 16/01/2003 - Announced Kim Dong Moon as 2002 player of the year 18/01/2002 - Announced Gao Ling as player of the year 16/01/2001 - Announced Candra Wijaya as player of the year. Yes, no teams have ever got it, and since Kim got in in 2002, so I predict Ra for her Mixed and Ladies doubles performances - individual tournments, World Championship and Sudirman Cup.
too bad there isn't really anybody this year who really stand out prominently. i bet IBF is trying to go through the same list as we are now.. from track record, IBF usually choose the top guy from their country, PG is #1, CM is #1, CW #1, GL #1, and so is KDM. here are some more potential nominees: Chen Hong - PeterG got his award mainly bcoz he held the #1 spot for a year in 1998 (i think) and Chen Hong has certainly done that despite his lack of tournament wins. Lin Dan - most promising player, but there are many who should be ahead of him Xia - How about Xia? notice it is only the Chinese MS who stands out this year? Wong - oh hey, how about Wong? he did pretty ok but certainly shadowed by the Chinese, but having a MAS player to win this would be nice, Eddy Choong was MAS, wasn't he? Zhang Ning - already mentioned Huang Sui - if GaoL, why not Huang Sui? Ra - for the obvious Jonas/Lars - for the obvious
Notice that the Player of the Year is generally alternate between Male and Female each yr (at least, recent years). If that's the case, Ra is the favorite for her impressive record in WD (only pair to put on a fight with CH lady army) and superior performance in XD.
Hmm i agree with you in a way Kwun about Peter getting the title because he was number one in 1998. But as I renember he and Sun Jun was superior to all in the period 1998-end of 1999 and I guess thats why he got the prize together with he kept his 1 spot
That's it!!! That's it, IBF has announced the Eddy Choong Player of the Year for 2003, and it is ... Kim Dong Moon and Ra Kyung Min of course!!!
No doubt about this decision. I guess IBF finally made a decision without too much argument and complaint this year.
Right choice... ...given Kim/Ra successes in 2003, it is the right choice. 10 straight Mixed titles and equally impressive wins in MD and LD too. Congratulations to Kim and Ra.
indeed! in no other event has a pair or a player dominated so convincingly as Kim/Ra in mixed doubles. the rest of the field are just fighting for second place.
South Korean mixed doubles pair share player of year award Utusan Online LONDON Jan 13 - South Korean mixed doubles pair Kim Dong-moon and Ra Kyung-min were Tuesday named as joint winners of the International Badminton Federation's player of the year award. Kim, winner of the 2002 prize, and Ra are the first doubles pairing to win the ``Eddy Choong Player of the Year'' award since its inception in 1998. Choong was a well-known Malaysian badminton player who dominated European events in the 1950s. Kim and Ra won 10 consecutive mixed doubles titles in 2003, including the world title in Birmingham, England, and played a key role in South Korea winning the Surdirman Cup last March. Kim was also successful in men's doubles, winning the Korea, Dutch, Denmark and Taiwan Opens with Hae Tae-kwon and the Malaysia Open with Lee Dong-soo. Ra won four women's doubles titles at the Korea, Dutch, German and Taiwan Opens with Lee Kyung-won. ``I send my heartfelt congratulations to both players to both players on receiving this award, and for their remarkable achievements on the badminton court this past year,'' IBF president Korn Dabbaransi said. ``We could not ask for better ambassadors for the sport.'' - AFP
Really? She won that many WD titles as well? I know TW Open, which the mighty CHN did not participate, but the other ones, hmmm... Can't re-call. I guess Ra's success in WD was way over shadowed by her own superior performance in XD, and the 3 elite pairs from CHN.
Ra won four women's doubles titles at the Korea, Dutch, German and Taiwan Opens with Lee Kyung-won. YONEX GERMAN OPEN 2003 30 Sep 2003 - 5 Oct 2003 Rhein-Rhur-Halle,Duisburg In finals beat W Wei YANG (CHN), Jiewen ZHANG (CHN) 15/6,15/17,15/8 YONEX DUTCH OPEN 2003 16 Sep 2003 - 21 Sep 2003 Maaspoort,Den Bosch
