BWF released the complete list of the postponed Tokyo OG qualifiers yesterday : MS (total 43) : https://extranet.bwfbadminton.com/d...ympic Qualification _18-05-2021_.xlsx MS.pdf WS (total 42) : https://extranet.bwfbadminton.com/d...lympic Qualification _18-05-2021_. WS pdf.pdf MD (16) : https://extranet.bwfbadminton.com/d...mpic Qualification _18-05-2021_.xlsx MD .pdf WD (16) : https://extranet.bwfbadminton.com/d...lympic Qualification _18-05-2021_.xlsx WD.pdf XD (16) : https://extranet.bwfbadminton.com/d...ympic Qualification _18-05-2021_.xlsx XD.pdf *DRAWING date (group-stage) will be conducted on 8th July 2021 *Competition Schedule : 24th July-2nd August 2021.
I think there are the first changes ?! On Facebook WS 87 ESP Clara AZURMENDI writes that she goes to Tokyo ?! We will see !
True, the latest version had been released on 30th June 2021 : https://extranet.bwfbadminton.com/d...cation _18-05-2021_.xlsx 30 June 2021. WS.pdf Carolina Marin is replaced by Clara Azurmendi.
Also there's suprising entries in MD category as Badminton England prefers Lane/Vendy and declined Rio 2016 bronze medalist Ellis/Langridge.
You see Marcus Ellis’ IG and it says he’s not been training properly for three weeks trying to appeal the decision. IMHO, all that he’s done is wasted three weeks of preparation for his Olympic mixed doubles.
It's better he fully concentrates for XD, it's not easy to play double duties in highly competitive event like OG.
FINAL ENTRY LISTS => https://cms.bwfbadminton.com/wp-con...MPIC-GAMES-BADMINTON-ENTRY-LISTS-05072021.pdf
So, with Marin injured, and all reigning Olympic Doubles Champions retired, Chen Long will be the only one to at least have a chance to defend the title or collect a silver medal to have a full set of olympic medals. Wouldn't have expected Setiawan to play and actually be among the top contenders for an onympic Gold 12 (or 13) years after winning the title in 2008...
https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/a-statement-from-gb-badminton/ Fighting on social media. Olympic selection always has such controversy. China decided not to select Wang Shi xian in 2012
But they have to blame themselves if the lower ranked players return with no medals. They simply denying the players to defend their medal who made history for Britain. Wang Shixian's case is different. Considering there were two players from China who were better than her at that time .
i think they will look at the chances of getting a medal for both pairs which is unlikely. statistically, the chances of those players getting another medal is quite low. To be honest, if you were a selector, would you go on results of four/five years ago? Of course they did well last time - sometimes you get a good draw / results that go your way. IMHO, defending a previous Olympic medal has very little advantage - that’s only emotional baggage. Mind you, if you want controversy, taekwondo team GB failed to select the world no.1 for Rio in 2016. Now that was weird.
Good question. Definitely, it wont be good to consider the achievements of a person 4 or 5 years ago for current situation. I thought Sean Vendy/Ben lane were a level below Chris Langridge and Marcus Ellis until i saw the results of the past few tournaments. They indeed defeated their fancied compatriots in Straight games comfortably. I take my words back.
The top half of the qualifying list for each discipline looks like a regular World Tour 750/1000 and the bottom half looks like an International Challenger list, especially in singles. I've always never understood the hype of Olympics when it's the biggest tournament, but many of the best players in the World can't even compete because of the ever more restrictive qualifying rules to be more accommodating to all countries. I mean, why are there not 64 entries per discipline like the World Championships...only a meager 16 in doubles!?? Nevertheless, I'm expecting many upsets