anyone got predictions on the Sudirman Cup? here is my analysis. the top pick this year is again going to be Denmark and China. and then Korea is not far behind. Korea has strong Men's and MIxed Doubles, and they have a couple of young men's singles players who are capable of making some surprises. but recently Li Mao, who is the coach responsible for the sudden surge, has left Korea, are these players going to hold up? on China vs. Denmark. China has an upper hand on the ladies' double. Yang/Huang should be able to beat any Danish pair without much sweat on a normal day. the line up for the other events are less predictable. men's single, who's China going to field against Peter Gade? Ji beat PG once, but he hasn't been in great shape since. women's single. we will definitely see Camilla from the Denmark side. and again, China has a few choices, the most dependable one being Gong, and then probably Zhou Mi. men's double. Zhang/Zhang vs. Larsen/Eriksen again? mixed double. this is the most interesting event. China has only one good pair, Zhang Jun/Gao Ling, but how's Zhang going to hold up if he plays two events in a day? how about Denmark? is it going to be Soggaard/Olsen, or another black horse like last time?
Zhang/Zhang will have a better chance against Larsen/Eriksen than Zhang/Gao would against Sogaard/Olsen, so I predict China will send another mixed pair and have a better chance to win a point in MD. How about Xia Xuanze v Peter Gade? Different styles, fast action. Is Xia ready?
Xia or Ji vs Peter. Which player is not the main point. Peter has high expectations from himself and his country. Either of these players can put pressure on him and then it's anyone's match. Peter has great form against lesser players but when suddenly up against somebody of equal standard he seems to have difficulty. Maybe it's the sudden transition of quality of opponent. For Men's doubles, Chen Qi Qiu may be in there. He's certainly a dark horse. In China's Thomas cup match vs Indonesia, he seemed to be able to match Rexy/Tony. It was Yu JinHao who wasn't quite up to it. Chen Qi Qiu with Liu Yong? I think Men's doubles is being mixed around again by Li Yong Bo. Where's Li Mao gone to?
Just side track a bit if you don't mind.Since Cheung brought up matter of Li Mao, many of you in younger set never saw him play in 80's.He is known as the master tactician and can vary his game to suit any occasion.Some say he is the brains behind Sun Jun.In mid 90's many players dreaded playing against Sun Jun , you never know what he was going to do, he was more like Sun Tzu and Prince Naseem. Sad these two had such short carreers, review the match in 1998 GP between SJ/ PGC and you will know what I mean. I personally think people like them can go where they wish to. Sorry, back to Sudirman.
Li Mao went back home. apparently he is jobless right now. he got into a big fight with Li Yongbo couple of years back. he word is that he'd love to go back to the national team, but it is the wrong time.
hi, thanks Chin. that is very intersting. by the time i was interested in badminton, the Han Jian, Li Mao and Tang Xinfu generations have already retired. if Li Mao goes back to the national team and coach side-by-side Tang, China's men's single will probably rule the world. another sidetrack question. does Tang Xinfu wear his cap even when he is playing badminton? kwun
Since you are interested Kwun, Tang,Hou and Fang Kai Hsiang belonged to 70's, followed by Han jian and Luan Jin in 80's.They revolutionised game in their speed and athletic ability. Later on Yang Yang and Zhao added another weapon, racquet skills.Recently Sun Jun added another weapon called brains. L. Mao was a great player but his skills more like C Gang, or Ji, I saw him eaten up by Liem SK who practically axed him. Wonder if current China players have such wide repertoire ? I am not being biased ,it is probably because game is getting more sophisticated with time, no one should feel hurt, it is only an opinion.No Tang never wore a cap.
Since you are interested Kwun, Tang,Hou and Fang Kai Hsiang belonged to 70's, followed by Han jian and Luan Jin in 80's.They revolutionised game in their speed and athletic ability. Later on Yang Yang and Zhao added another weapon, racquet skills.Recently Sun Jun added another weapon called brains. L. Mao was a great player but his skills more like C Gang, or Ji, I saw him eaten up by Liem SK who practically axed him. Wonder if current China players have such wide repertoire ? I am not being biased ,it is probably because game is getting more sophisticated with time, no one should feel hurt, it is only an opinion.No Tang never wore a cap.
Since you are interested Kwun, Tang,Hou and Fang Kai Hsiang belonged to 70's, followed by Han jian and Luan Jin in 80's.They revolutionised game in their speed and athletic ability. Later on Yang Yang and Zhao added another weapon, racquet skills.Recently Sun Jun added another weapon called brains. L. Mao was a great player but his skills more like C Gang, or Ji, I saw him eaten up by Liem SK who practically axed him. Wonder if current China players have such wide repertoire ? I am not being biased ,it is probably because game is getting more sophisticated with time, no one should feel hurt, it is only an opinion.No Tang never wore a cap.
Since you are interested Kwun, Tang,Hou and Fang Kai Hsiang belonged to 70's, followed by Han jian and Luan Jin in 80's.They revolutionised game in their speed and athletic ability. Later on Yang Yang and Zhao added another weapon, racquet skills.Recently Sun Jun added another weapon called brains. L. Mao was a great player but his skills more like C Gang, or Ji, I saw him eaten up by Liem SK who practically axed him. Wonder if current China players have such wide repertoire ? I am not being biased ,it is probably because game is getting more sophisticated with time, no one should feel hurt, it is only an opinion.No Tang never wore a cap.
Hmmm... yes, Peter Gade and Camilla Martin seems likely. They're both on the go... And personally, I'm hoping for Eriksen/Larsen, they're always great fun to watch. How about Ha/Kim?