Let's all be honest now. No matter how much we may all say "Yeah, I need to work on my footwork..." if the badminton fairy came to us one day and said that we could have one perfect skill, we all know which one we would choose - the jump smash. Which international player do you consider to have the best jump smash? Of course, different players seem to have different sorts of smashes. Tony Gunawan's jump smash is like clockwork, it's so even and looks so easy, as if he could hit them all day. Kim Dong Moon has the steepest angle, and Chen Hong must have one of the most powerful smashes. I ask because I've just seen a couple of doubles matches with Fu Haifeng, and I was totally blown away by this guy's jump smashes. Even for a top international, it's exceptional. Can anyone think of anyone better in today's game?
Halim Hariyanto, although less of an impact now compared to when he was with Tony. Nice body movement, great power!
Halim has some crazy jumpsmash, i am always very impressed by the dynamics and power he get from that explosion he has in mid air. but recently, i also noticed Fu Haifeng also can do some crazy smash, with even more power and explosion. on the singles side, very few ppl can top Heryanto Arbi for his amazingly high and steep jumpsmashes, but at the same time, he is so smooth at it it looks completely effortless, akin to ballet dancer who can jump a few feet into the air while looking smooth and gracious. and i cannot forget to mention Xia's jumpsmash either. his jumpsmashes can be summarized with one word : style!
I am surprised no one mentioned Sigit Budiarto. Maybe I am too excited about his new parntership. But the truth is that he can jump very high. His smash is really powerful.
I'm wondering why there are not even more supporters for Sigit? Saw him live in HK in the 1998 Thomas Cup. It was already impressive on TV. Seeing him jump smash in front of me in real life was totally awesome!
I would give it to Zhao Jianhua for angles and deception as he played a lot more shots with the same technique. Rexy Mainaky for power, apparently has the new world record for fastest smash-164.9mph, WOW! Also he has the hgighest jump i have ever seen. Even though Rexy has the world record I still think Chen Hong has the fastest smash in world badminton today. His timing is the best out of all the players around. His world class weapon and what a weapon to possess.
I totally agree with Cheung. I mean when Sigit and Candra was seperated, threads regarding them had at least four or five pages. But now when they are reunited, the thread is only two pages and lengthened by the reporter's report.
It's got to be Zhao Jianhua during his later years. Once he goes up for a jumpsmash in his forehand corner, most of the time it's a winning shot. The deception and the angles that he generates, it's lethal. Still haven't seen anything by any other players close to it in terms of effectiveness.
I wouldn't say liem swie king was the master, if you are talking about the master it must be eddy choong, i think one of the first players to use it. Zhao Jianhua revolutionised it and i think chen hong has the best smash out of everyone now, his timing is amazing!
I agree. Of all the recent men's singles players, CHEN Hong's smashes are the strongest with steppest angle. LIN Dan's smashes are excellent too. For men's doubles, KIM Dong Moon and FU Haifeng have the best angles and most power.
Would have to be Heryanto Arbi, after seeing him on the cover of World Badminton, when it was a magazine not a website (can't remmember the edition - must have been in 1995 when he was World Champion) - what a huge jump!
for me, i vote for Joko, i watched one game that's Joko vs Dong Jong, won't forget it in my whole life.
