Chinese Badminton

Discussion in 'China Professional Players' started by Justin L, Aug 31, 2013.

  1. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Just thought there should be a thread devoted to Chinese Badminton in general without limiting or restricting it to any topical issue. Similarly for those who wish to talk about the history of Chinese badminton, I'd suggest another separate thread specifically for it would be more appropriate. Here we are free to discuss and report on anything current on Chinese badminton as it unfolds, no agenda set as it would be presumptuous of me to do so.

    We can, for example, discuss the latest news,happenings, developments or problems CBA or Team China is facing, say, in respect to their future goals. As we know, Li Yongbo has recently made public his view that after the London Olympics clean-sweep-of-golds pinnacle performance that henceforth even for the majors he's making a distinction between Team and Individual championships, saying the former is a must-win goal for CHN as it is for collective national honour but less so the latter as it's more for individual glory.

    In fact,for the just-concluded WC'13, he actually set a 'modest' target of only three golds in a half joking but , to me at least, significant remark of 'better not win too many lest some people get angry'. On the other hand, LYB also explained that CBA is presently undergoing a changing of the guards with the 'old' being replaced by the new and younger players and therefore during this transition period there is bound to be some hiccups resulting in temporary setbacks which should be resolved over time. No doubt, this year's WC is CHN's worst showing in recent years with only two titles won;whether this signifies a trend or is just an anomaly, only time will tell.

    Needless to say, it also implies that CHN may no longer strive to win every non-major title/tournament they take part in - even the All England is not given pride of place but treated by him as just one of the 12 Superseries events in a year. I remember Chen Long upon winning the AE'13 specifically saying the AE is regarded by many as a mini-WC as well as Li Xuerui, who won AE'12 , commenting on it as special for its long tradition and illustrious history. Well, it's CBA/LYB's prerogative what targets they want to set and why.

    Presumably,it is fairly widely understood and as, if I remember correctly, 2cents once briefly pointed out that CBA has the practice of concentrating on their elite 3 or 4 players/pairs at any one time or period, Olympic cycle perhaps. This to me effectively means denying or neglecting the other promising prospects of the chance to shine in the world stage with detriment albeit for only a couple of years unless he or she is truly exceptional as in the case of Li Xuerui. I think the hardest hit are their child prodigies which I believe CHN has no lack of, possibly comparable to Thailand. Say, He Bingjiao, first discovered at age 14 as revealed to us by RedShuttle, now turning 16, but currently still have to wait her turn to participate in the WJC let alone the regular adult international circuit (incidentally, I saw her name originally registered for the CHN Masters'13 next month but, unfortunately, for unknown reasons, subsequently withdrawn). By the way, I recall reading somewhere that Zhang Ning said she's going to work on the junior players.Indeed, it's pretty hard to be a CHN national player, and tough luck for many of them.

    Of course, we may also discuss Chinese badminton in terms of their training,techniques and overall growth,promotion and development or in relation to their sport science and even sport management if you like.
     
  2. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    So far the CBA seems to be taking their WC'13 setback in stride, having obtained one gold short of LYB's minimum three-gold target.

    As for the rest of the world, I suppose, in the short term at least, their concern of Chinese growing dominance has receded considerably, buoyed by their triumphs in WS for THA, and MD and XD for INA. We're quite sure Intanon Ratchanok's world title win will be a big boost for Thai badminton overall, not just for IR herself in particular; the same goes for INA badminton's resurgence.

    Using the WC'13 outcome as an indication, for the time being, CHN's gap with the rest of the world is minimal in the WS, XD and MD, the last obviously is CHN's weakest link. However,I'm sure CHN in their bid to maintain their superiority in the team championships will do what is necessary in those said disciplines as quickly as possible.

    Interestingly, LYB while on the one hand is fairly accepting of the present status of Chinese badminton and is fully aware of the narrowing gap of superiority over the rest of the world, he has at the same time expressed annoyance that Team CHN seemed to have taken their foot off the pedal a bit too far and 'rested' somewhat too much the last one year since the London Olympics.
     
  3. latecomer

    latecomer Regular Member

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    Sometimes,one needs to go backward in order to go forward, I am pretty happy to see CBA has been keeping a low profile after this WC. The players need a breath of fresh air and little break. I believe the lost to RAT will benefit LXR and she will become a better player. In my mind, she is the LD in WS.
     
  4. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    I'd love to agree with you on that. It's still early days in her career and she obviously has much to learn from Lin Dan if she ever gets the chance to approach him for some pointers now and then as Wang Xin used to do. After all,didn't Xia Xuanze said before that Lin Dan's duty is to pass on his experience to the next generation of CHN players?!

    Seriously, I feel LXR has to acquire the ability to stay totally focused, control her nerves better though she appeared to be doing all right in this regard at the last Sudirman Cup, be mentally more steady, calm,collected, and most importantly, be able to think for herself and adjust her game according to the match situation instead of simply and stubbornly following the pre-set strategic plan.

    I believe the mentality of being able to regather your thoughts when things go wrong while the match is in progress is a special and vital skill that only true champions possess. I suppose this can only come about for someone who already has the requisite,innate mental make-up and who then goes on to develop it through experience gained over the course of time. Even the great Lin Dan didn't have the remarkable mental strength and self-possession early on in his career but acquired it over time, I believe, largely aided and forged by a couple of major setbacks that were to him critical turning points, such as his Athens '04 fiasco.

    Unfortunately, in the WC'13 WS Final, LXR wasn't quite herself, was too eager to win as she herself put it, was error-prone and unable to execute her strategy properly, and ended up losing their 6th encounter when she had won the previous four. One can only hope she gains something valuable from this 'painful' defeat and emerges stronger and better in the future to finally one day become the 'LD in WS'.

    As for their MD, CHN have their work cut out for them. In XD, CHN have no clear advantage over their rivals INA and DEN, has been so for quite a while and probably will continue thus for the time being. In WS, WYH's inconsistency lately is worrisome and WSX as expected is still not out of the woods yet and doesn't look hopeful. What surprises me is WD where other than WXL/YY, the rest of the CHN WDs are fairly beatable. The silver lining for CHN is of course Lin Dan's magnificent comeback. Even so with LD unlikely to be very active in competition, CHN could use another strong MS apart from Chen Long as DuPY and WZM aren't quite up to the mark, esp the last mentioned.
     
  5. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    For CHN WS, my take is :

    1) LXR hasn't yet to attain the consistency and reliability as Lin Dan is on the big occasions, her last WC failure being a case in point. However, she's far from reaching her prime, unquestionably;

    2) WYH's patchy form lately is still affecting her as seen in the ongoing Chinese National Games where she was unexpectedly disposed of by a certain Liu Jie in the team event. WYH's glaring vulnerability is undeniably a continuing cause for concern;

    3) WSX is obviously still far from being one whom CHN can depend on to deliver results as shown in the last WC;

    4) Of late Sun Yu has improved but not enough to step up to the plate as one of the mainstays. After a commendable showing at the SG Open'13 where she overcame Juliane Schenk and Tai Tzu Ying, she went on to lose to Porntip in the Universiade and now to her compatriots, Han Li and an unknown Yang Yuting, in the ongoing CNG team event. Undoubtedly, she has still plenty of room for improvement.

    In view of the above, I feel that CHN WS team is in need of reinforcement, an injection of new blood. As Zhang Ning once indicated she is going to work on the junior cohort, hopefully names such as Sun Yu, Deng Xuan, Suo Di, the 16-yr-old teenage He Bingjiao and perhaps a couple other promising juniors can fit the bill soon and rise to the occasion. To be frank, I'd love to see Wang Xin make a successful comeback but I've to be realistic about her chances, considering her long injury layoff and present age of coming 28 (born 10th Nov 1985).
     
  6. Zhierl

    Zhierl Regular Member

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    Oww, that's a secret ...
    What heppen to Chen Xiaojia?
     
  7. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    I'm wondering too. We know she was injured during her match with Juliane Schenk last year at the HK Open SS and hasn't been heard since. She's not even playing at the Chinese National Games, to my surprise.
     
  8. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Quite surprisingly, Liu Xin is playing well in the Chinese National Games,both team and individual events, beating higher ranked players including overcoming Wang Yihan in the WS to advance to the semi-final.

    As far as I know,she started her career the same time as Li Xuerui; they were both in the WS final of the Asia Badminton Championships in 2010, New Delhi, won by the then 19-yr-old LXR who in the semi-final sensationally ousted Saina Nehwal, which left a lasting impression on me. After that time, Liu Xin fails to follow up with commendable results, in fact most of the time lacklustre, in contrast to her famous peer LXR, both of them about the same age, if I'm not wrong.

    Hopefully, this CNG signals Liu Xin's breakthrough or her place in the national team remains insecure.
     
  9. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    If I'm not wrong, Han Li was called to the national team at the late age of around 24,CMIIW, so why not Liu Jie if she fits the bill?
     
  10. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Just found out that Liu Xin, born 11th Jun 1990 in Benxi, Liaoning, is a little older than LXR, born 24th Jan 1991 in Chongqing.
     
  11. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Hope to see the youngster, Huang Yuxiang, who is performing commendably at the ongoing Chinese National Games rise through the ranks of the Chinese MS squad soon.
     
  12. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Both Xue Song and Tian Houwei disappointed me at the CHN Masters SS'13, losing to Sho Sasaki and J O'Jorgensen respectively in R1. I strongly feel and hope CBA would give them more international exposure to gain experience and mature quickly. Playing in domestic competition is entirely different, the atmosphere, pressure,nerves and expectations aren't the same, and they don't get the 'blame' for losing to their better-known seniors.

    This two caused quite a stir at the Aussie Open earlier about six months ago and their next appearance is the CHN Masters here in their home country; it's not helpful for their growth and development to realize their full potential as soon as possible. Perhaps there is a 'pecking order' and they've to await their turns.

    Whatever, it seems to be the case of too many players too few tournaments for CHN as opposed to their illustrious 'seniors' having to compete in too many compulsory tournaments both locally and overseas, an unhealthy imbalance.

    Similarly for their younger promising juniors such as 16-yr-old He Bingjiao. In contrast, I remember, CMIIW, Intanon Ratchanok of Thailand was only 14 years old when she first made her maiden appearance in the international circuit (can't recall which tournament, iirc, she beat Liu Xin in the final).
     
  13. tommy_bun

    tommy_bun Regular Member

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    remenber the old days when I had lots of free time and had my self updated with the news of china players...
    miss those days
    plus collecting the signatures of China Players
     
    #13 tommy_bun, Sep 13, 2013
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2013
  14. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Is CHN WS facing a crisis of sorts? With WYH in a slump, WSX still not out of the woods, and LXR off her prime since the London Olympics (it seems),it's beginning to look worrisome for CHN at the moment.

    Perhaps that's why recently Zhang Ning said she's going to work on the 'junior' (or maybe she meant second tier ) players? A sign of progress with a couple showing promise such as Liu Xin (though she isn't exactly a junior), Liu Jie too, and arguably He Bingjiao ? As for Han Li, Deng Xuan, Yao Xue, Suo Di - none of these can step up to the plate as yet.

    For now, Liu Xin appears to be the best prospect after her noteworthy performances at the CNG and CHN Masters but I feel it's still a bit early to know for sure if she can deliver reliable results going forward.
     
  15. latecomer

    latecomer Regular Member

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    I believe you are immersed too much into Chinese Badminton, it is just a game after all. Go outside get some fresh air or get one more girl friend. You are over analysis the situation, time will take care of the matter. I give you an example, who would know LXR came out of nowhere winning the London Olympic gold. Just relax and let father time take over.
     
  16. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    You make me smile. Thanks for your friendly advice and concern. But, friend, you don't know this badminton forum is just one of my diversions from my other more important interests and serious work that make my life enriching and fulfilling; even among sports and games, badminton isn't my first love, maybe second or third. Anyway, enough of my private matter which I'd much prefer we avoid talking about it in a public forum as it would seem presumptuous.

    Just as other fans are somewhat deeply affected by what's happening in say BAM or INA badminton, I'm merely expressing my views and concerns on Chinese badminton purely as a fan. Yes, just relax.

    Btw, your point on LXR coming from nowhere to win Olympic gold is a heartening example of what CHN is capable of more often than not; indeed, there's no need for us to be unduly worried for CHN. CBA is certainly more than capable of solving their own problems. Cheers.:)
     
  17. latecomer

    latecomer Regular Member

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    Nice to know that you are not abnormal but an energetic person. Wonder how much time you spend on your first and second interest. As for the current state of Chinese badminton, a lot of other countries love to have the same problems that CBA has. I believe LYB has a plan in place. Let sit back and enjoy while we can.
     
  18. mrinalini

    mrinalini Regular Member

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    Wow, you're a bitchy one, aintcha?

    Perhaps you ought to spend more time on what I suppose are your countless other interests instead of on this board if that will improve your snide disposition.
     
  19. Giga01

    Giga01 Regular Member

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    How does the Chinese players from Team A get to Team B and vice-versa? Does tournament results matter, or only the tournament results that CBA/LYB decide matter? How often is the "promotional tournament" held?
     
  20. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Huh? Did I miss something, I thought he was asking me an innocuous question ?:D Anyway, I wasn't ready nor quite willing to reply to personal questions unless he/she PM me, still I reserve the right whether to answer or not.:) Your subtlety of mind...hmm, I've to hand it you.:)
     

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