On the question of the MP99 being unlucky, I'd like to add that Ra Kyung-min uses it, as well Lin Dan, etc. Sigit Budiarto also uses it, not sure if Trikus does too, probably. Actually, I've only seen Gao Ling win with it this time around. I've seen quite a few players with the AT700, haven't seen any AT800s though, I wonder why? Don't the players like the new racket, or maybe it just hasn't been around long enough for them to get used to. Shon Seung Mo seems to be using an oval headed racket, maybe a CAB. Out of the 24 medallists from Sydney, I think 23 played with Yonex (I'm sure I've seen that in a Yonex brochure). I think one Dane was using a Forza racket. This time around, they won't beat that because Emms/Robertson play with Carlton (who must be over the moon).
Update, I have seen Ra using the AT800OF aswell as DF. Sigit has not used the MP99 for a while. I think he went back to carbonex. I think Sigit made the switch to At800 too, but need pictures to confirm. Carbonex is making a comeback in the Cab30 as used by some of the Koreans. Some stalwarts are sticking to their old favourites such as the Ti10 and MP100. Gosen, SOTX, Carlton, Babolat, Browning and Forza have made appearances during the games but nothing compared to Yonex. AT800 OF/DE is gaining popularity in doubles. AT700 is popular in singles.
Sorry, I meant I've seen Ra use the MP99 in previous tournaments, I didn't actually get to see her in this one as she got knocked out in the mixed before I had a chance to tape the match I've taped the WD though so I'll be able to tell for sure when I watch it tonight.
Kim was using Ti-10, normally Ha used the old Isometric 800 (half year ago), but the non Yonex racket at Sydney was the carlton of Simon Archer. So Carlton actually improve, but the rackets must be the first Carlton Isometric ones as far as I can record.
Fu was using Ti-10 and Cai was using AT 800 (I think OE), KDM used both Ti-10 and another yonex dat I failed to confirm MP88 is a luckier racket than Mp99, at least the 2 players went all the way up to the quarter (Gade) and final (Mia)... too bad my favourite Cab 20 (Xia) didnt appear in the olympics, it might be the champz racket!!
Err, what r u talking about? gao won gold and silver with mp99 The 'ice lady' Zhang Jiewen won WD gold with mp99 soniDK won bronze MS with mp99 Hey Fend, cab30 didnt rule at the MS final Notice that many singles players use AT700? (medalists zhou mi, gong R, zhang ning, taufik to name a few)
is it possible that the racquet somewhat reflects the player in a very minimal way? i have noticed the success of AT700 users tho...
HIDAYAT Taufik - AT700 SHON Seung Mo - CAB30MS KUNCORO Soni Dwi - MP99 PONSANA Boonsak - Gosen 3400 ZHANG Ning - AT700 AUDINA Mia - MP88 ZHOU Mi - AT700 GONG Ruina - AT700 KIM Dong Moon - Ti10 HA Tae Kwon - AT800OF LEE Dong Soo - CAB21 YOO Yong Sung - Ti10 HIAN Eng - ??? LIMPELE Flandy - AT800OF ERIKSEN Jens - MP100 LUNDGAARD H. Martin - IsoTi ZHANG Jiewen - MP99 YANG Wei - AT800DE GAO Ling - MP99 Huang Sui - AT700 RA Kyung Min - AT800OF LEE Kyung Won - AT800DE ZHAO Tingting - MP99 WEI Yili - MP99 Zhang Jun - MP100 ROBERTSON Nathan - Carlton EMMS Gail - Carlton SCHJOLDAGER Mette - MP88
The Ti-10 is still favoured by Kim DM and Yoo YS but most are going AT700/800 now. It does reflect the players somewhat, but if such an 'old' racquet still appeals to the two double specialists, then it must have something to do with the extreme leaning towards power in opposed to control to suit their baseline smashing game. But then again, they are good enough to use any racquet anyway.