Well Lee Hyun Il has just beaten Chen Long...one obstacle out of the way for Taufik. Could be a battle of the 30 yr olds here... In saying that though, Lee Hyun Il is not a bad player himself.
Btw, does anyone pay attention now that whenever Taufik play Lin dan, taufik always seems to be very polite and humble at court? It is good, but it's just taufik seems little bit hesitant to look aggressive to win (which is good also) toward lin dan? What do you think guys?
didn't i read sometime ago he and a few players have a pack to make sure Chen Jin to qualify for London thus ensure to eliminate LCW's chance?
Wouldn't you do the same?? I mean the humble and polite part. TH had won almost everything that can be won, so there is no pressure on him. The aggresiveness part, I think is relative person to person. Some will fight it all out some dont. It might be that TH knew exactly what it takes to beat LD, and at the same time himself knows exactly what he is capable of at the moment. So Im guessing what went through TH mind is like this: OK I will try my luck this time, see if LD is having a bad day, but if he's not than its OK I will ride along. How does that sound?
Taufik will never turn his back on Indonesia Sunday, April 01, 2012 http://www.bwfbadminton.org/news_item.aspx?id=61379 Excerpts: The 30-year-old shuttler, who is eyeing a second Olympic gold medal in London later this year, said the on-going Axiata Cup proved Indonesia have enough singles players to take over when he finally retires. ...“If asked, I will never say no to the Thomas Cup. However, I hope the coaches will select the younger players for this year’s campaign,” said Taufik, after beating Malaysia’s Mohd Arif Abdul Latif 21-10, 21-7 in Kuala Lumpur. “The Axiata Cup has helped us with our preparations for the Thomas Cup and I reckon we will be more united form now on.
I think Taufik may shine in OG 2012, Bronze medal is already awesome achievement for him depending on the draw.
At the Australian Open 2012, end of Day 1 match. His erstwhile opponent (and admirer) Wesley Caulkett in the background enjoying the family moment!
Gold on paper is a bridge too far. Silver? I like the sound of it, ka-ching! One gold and one silver, two different Olympic Games...would be quite an achievement even more.
yeah but after his bad year 2011 i think he is coming back in form again! he was 2011 just a top30 player but this year he is again a top 10 player or even better!
Yeah, his son was having a nibble on the feathers of a shuttle as his dad did battle with Boonsak Ponsana today
Silver requires Taufik not just to perform well but luck of draw and possibly a choke by either LD or LCW. Even bronze is hard, I would give Taufik less than 50% chance of beating Chen Long. Sho, Tago and Simon probably have good chance of winning against Taufik if they meet. Simon might be the Maria Kristin of this year Olympic. He might surprise everyone but taking the bronze.
Simon can get something out of the tournament...it's not nice to see him retired without winning anything...after all i believe Simon is always an underrated player who receives very little attention..Taufik on the other hand, can lose any player ....even Japanese and European players are not afraid of facing him...so his chance to do well in the Olympic = quite slim He lost to an unknown Singaporean player in Wembley...that's an exit we never expected