On the edge of 2014 season ending, BWF has announced the nominees for Player of the Year. China dominates the list for all three categories, read completely on BWF news => http://www.bwfbadminton.org/news_item.aspx?id=90209 *Male Player of The Year (in alphabetical order) : 1) CHEN Long (CHN) 2) LEE Yong Dae (KOR) 3) LIN Dan (CHN) 4) YOO Yeon Seong (KOR) 5) ZHANG Nan (CHN) *Female Player of The Year : 1) LI Xuerui (CHN) 2) Christinna PEDERSEN (DEN) 3) WANG Shixian (CHN) 4) WANG Yihan (CHN) 5) ZHAO Yunlei (CHN) *Most Promising Player of The Year : 1) CHEN Qingchen (CHN) 2) HE Bingjiao (CHN) 3) LIN Guipu (CHN) 4) Rosyita Eka Putri SARI (INA) 5) Akane YAMAGUCHI (JPN) The awardees will be revealed on Monday evening (15th December) in Destination Dubai BWF World SS Finals gala dinner. The criterias for player of the year (taken from BWF news) : - Exceptional and consistent performance accross a calendar year - Performance at BWF Major events and World Superseries events - Being a good role model - Top 5 ranking in the year of nomination So who will bag the award?
Mine would be : Zhang Nan. Unfortunately, Lin Dan was forced out by injury from three of the SS tournaments and excluded from the SSF as well; otherwise, my first choice is Lin Dan despite his not being in the top 5 ranking yet. But, for his amazing comeback, he might just be selected based on his proven ability to beat the seemingly insuperable odds. Li Xuerui,undoubtedly the most consistent and best performer of the year though she had to skip the last three SS events due to injury (right foot surface fracture). Akane Yamaguchi as He Bingjiao, Chen Qingchen and Lin Guipu are all considerably disadvantaged by playing in too few tournaments, not their fault. However, considering that Akane's achievements are no longer that surprising, there's an outside chance of either He BJ or Chen QC beating her to it this time.
Zhang Nan for me. Ladies is a toughie between Li Xue Rui and Zhao Yun Lei. I think I would give the edge to Zhao Yun Lei. Don't know enough about the promising players.
Ah yes, admittedly, Zhao Yunlei's performance is no less impressive than Li Xuerui's. Nevertheless, I personally tend to give a little bit more weight to singles than doubles simply because in doubles you also need an accomplished partner to achieve success and ZYL is lucky to have partners like Zhang Nan in XD and Tian Qing in WD to do it.
If we follow BWF' s criteria wewith take any of the listed players, but if I follow my own criteria, I would say SWH or Chou for men. CL had an outstanding year in some aspects, but lost twice in team competition (to Tago ans Son). For Ladies, Yamaguchi and WSX wouls stand out perhaps.
SWH is way too inconsistent.... ill choose ZYL In women section. LXR of course is most consistent but she wasn't.able to participate in the last SS tourneys..also ZYL has been flawless throughout the calender year !!
That is why is say if I follow my own criteria. For me consistency is not the ultimate standard. I say SWH because he reached a new level, and acheived the unespected. Srikanth also should be considered. WSX made a come back, and from a dejected spirit rose again to pro-eminence, which is moraly great.
Based on BWF's criteria, I think these players may win it: Male: Lee Yong Dae or Yoo Yeon Seong (I think Lee could win it) Female: Li Xuerui or Zhao Yunlei (I think Li would win it, but I'm biased towards Zhao) Most Promising: Chen Qingchen (not sure if Akane would win it again as she won it last year)
Good point, renbo. Yes, Wang Shixian's magnificent comeback against all odds truly deserves special mention and be presented the female player of the year award, except that her great comeback started last year for which she should have been selected in 2013. Hmm...since her exceptional feat wasn't recognised previously and her outstanding run continues unabated this year, perhaps we should set things right and award her duly this time as it would also serve as a huge encouragement and inspiration to those who have fallen on hard times to stay positive, not give up on themselves easily but continue to persevere and believe in themselves as WSX is a shining example that it is indeed possible. Indeed, it looks like it's going to be a close call among LXR, ZYL and WSX for Female Player of The Year 2014.
This reminds me the reason that Lee Chong Wei 4 times winner of the Player of the year. Hey, Akane YAMAGUCHI was the most promising player of the year 2013 !!! One person, could be "player of the year" for every year, like LCW did, until caught alive. But one person, cannot be the most promising forever! Last year, she's the most promising already, if she's the most promising again this year, it means she's NOT promising at all! It voids last year's promising.
Another checking for the historical "most promising player of the year": Viktor Axelsen Zulfadli Zulkifli Tai Tzu Ying Kento Momota Akane Yamaguchi The following real best players currently were never promising before: Chen Long Li Xuerui Wang SX Wang YH Lee Yong Dae Zhang Nan Zhao Yunlei
None of the current candidates (not even winner!) of the "player of the year" has never been the "most promising player of the year". Is this just a joke or a jinx ?
The result is already out : http://www.bwfbadminton.org/news_item.aspx?id=90323 Male Player of The Year => CHEN Long (CHN) Female Player of The Year => ZHAO Yunlei (CHN) Most Promising Player of The Year => Akane YAMAGUCHI (JPN) Congratulations
