so i heard that Taufik will be coming to US Open this year for sure. and then Hafiz also is thinking of coming as well.
TH got his visa already last year ( after US Open), Hendra Ag and Alvent, Vita marissa are applying visa also... Bao Chun Lai told me that he might go depends on the scheduel as he will play SIN Open and INA Open ...not sure after one week, he will fly again to US Open.
The reason TH did not get US Visa last year as there was a terrorist named Taufik Hidayat and his age is around TH as well..even TH always gets questioned from Singapore Immigration eventhough they knew he is not but they had to check him and questioned him every time...good news that that Terrorist had died....
don't forget bonsak ponsana they do other sports as well.. basketball, tennis, and I think they're now the official sponsor of singapore open (hence it being called LNSO).. etc etc..
I thought Boonsak was sponsored by Kumpoo? And Yes, Li Ning sponsors non-Chinese national team members too. They sponsor a few US players as well, such as Nicholas Jiandasa.
In Thai team, beside Boonsak, Porntip is alos Li-Ning as well as some Indian Players like Jwala, Bhat, etc....
Lu Lan, Wanglin and 2nd tier fo CHN team are coming...I heard no BCL...Kaori Imabeppu also comes with other japanese players.. Taiwanese also in almost full team, including Fang/Lee..from INA, only TH....Dicky Palyama is set to LA
The Chinese-Taipei team is showing up because they have to defend the huge pts they won last year. It's a pity INA officials are still outdated in their mindset.
Big names coming??.. Okay, this is the latest which i got from a very reliable source, barring any last minute withdrawals.. "40 countries, 330 players, Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai and at least 10 other very strong Chinese players. Taufik also coming. It'll be the strongest US Open since 1997 Hong Ta Shan US Open"...yes, i remember that tourney.. Stay tuned for the M&Q draws which should be done next week.. A few other names are already published in the Canada Open thread.
Yup, here's M/Q Report version 1 (updated 20th June 2011), BWF link : http://www.bwfbadminton.org/file_download.aspx?id=34844
these are the notable entries... wow. very good turn out. i cannot make for the finals as that's Brandon's birthday. but am thinking maybe i will do Thu/Fri.... Taufik Hidayat (INA) Boonsak Ponsana (THA) Chen Jin (CHN) Bao Chunlai (CHN) Tine Baun (DEN) Eriko Hirose (JPN) Ratchanok Inthanon (THA) Lu Lan (CHN) Lee Sheng Mu / Fang Chieh Min (TPE) Lee Yong Dae / Ko Sung Hyun (KOR) Tony Gunawan / Howard Bach (USA) Cheng Wen Hsing / Chien Yu Chin (TPE) Satoko Suetsana / Miyuki Maeda (JPN) Ha Jung Eun / Kim Min Jung (KOR) Cheng Shu / Bao Yixin (CHN) Sudket / Saralee (THA) Lee Cheng Mu / Chien Yu Chin (TPE) Shintaro Ikeda / Reiko Shiota (JPN)